Conservation Status: Not of concern

Edibility: Edible. Opinions vary as to the desirability of its texture, but all are unanimous in declaring it tasteless at best.

Edible. Opinions vary as to the desirability of its texture, but all are unanimous in declaring it tasteless at best.

Hygrophorus subalpinus is a very common member of the western montane spring snowbank fungi, although it usually does not appear until after the snow has receded from its fruiting sites, in contrast to species like H. goetzii and Clitocybe glacialis that often can be found poking their caps right through the snow. It is a pure white, short, stocky fungus that can easily be mistaken for a small Russula brevipes at first glance. The waxy gills and fibrous not-so-brittle flesh distinguish it. Among the hygrophoruses, it is recognized by its fruiting season, habitat, tendency to remain partly buried, and presence of a veil that, at times, can form a slight ring low on the stipe.