30 POINTS Passage Name: The Ski Run
From the top of the ski run, the mountainside below Ian was an ocean of white as he gripped his poles like an Olympic racer and prepared to push off. Behind him, a timid sun poked through the heavy blanket of purple cloud that had descended upon the ski area, briefly illuminating the top section of the run. Ian took full advantage. He headed straight for the sunny spots and glided his freshly waxed skis across the crusty top layer of icy snow. As he made his way into the woodsy part of the run, the sun snapped out like a light bulb. The trail through the fir trees, towering like skyscrapers around Ian, became impossible to discern. Flakes the size of ping-pong balls fell heavily now. As he came to the edge of the woods, the wind whipped up with a roar, swirling snow filling his vision. He could no longer make out the terrain in front of him. All Ian could do now was stop and wait, hunker against a tree trunk, and pray the storm would lift as quickly as it came.

How does the precise, sensory language contribute to the mood of this passage?
A. It suggests that Ian is a thrill seeker.
B. It conveys the passage of time.
C. It creates a feeling of safety.
D. It helps to build the tension.