[4] The leaves are flat and needle-like, 1.5–3 centimetres (5⁄8–1+1⁄8 in) long, glaucous green above with a broad stripe of stomata, and two blue-white stomatal bands below; the fresh leaf scars are reddish (tan on the inland variety).

The cones are erect, 6–12 cm (2+1⁄4–4+3⁄4 in) long, dark purple[4] with fine yellow-brown pubescence, ripening brown and disintegrating to release the winged seeds in early fall.

[4] Firs in general act as a snow fence, leading to the creation of meadows through extra moisture accumulation.

[4] Despite having weaker wood than some of its timberline associates, it can survive by its ability to adapt (growing in a krummholz form) and reproduce via layering in clusters at high elevations.

[4] Various animals, including mountain goats, take shelter in subalpine fir clusters and krummholz.

[4] Some Plateau Indian tribes drank or washed in a subalpine fir boil for purification or to make their hair grow.

It is a popular ornamental tree for parks and large gardens, grown for its strongly glaucous-blue foliage.