Josh Cooley grabs fresh at Wolf Creek Ski last weekend. Photo: Mountain Nomads (SHUTTLE TO THE POWDER)
EPIC ALERT! EPIC ALERT- HEAVY POW GUARANTEED!
Rarely do we issue an EPIC ALERT so keep reading if you like waist deep powder and face shots! Significant snow fell last night and today with over 30 inches at Crystal Mountain-WA (Dry density fluff). 50 MPH gusts kept the upper mountain closed all day (HINT: Tuesday will be epic). Baker and Stevens received moderate to heavy amounts as well as most resorts in the Northwest where light to moderate snow will continue tonight with decreasing winds (Expect another 4-8 inches tonight).
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort picked up 18 inches (upper mountain) and Grand Targhee reported 10 at mid mountain. The Teton Springs Lodge in Victor Idaho (discounted rates if you are chasing) reported epic conditions at Targhee today http://www.tetonspringslodge.com/ . Both resorts had the upper lifts closed (HINT: Tomorrow will be epic). Wolf Creek Colorado picked up nearly 40 inches last week and Silverton Mountain who is open reports 3 feet in the past 9 days (Free tickets with boot packing).
SEVERAL FEET WILL PILE UP IN THE ROCKIES TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY:
Snow is breaking out this evening over Park City,Deer Valley, Canyons and most northern and southern Wasatch resorts as of 5PM. This will continue moderately through Tuesday morning (6-12 likely North of I-80 and 11-15 South). Lake effect for the Cottonwoods is possible Wednesday however amounts will be light. This will mark the 3rd day in a row for Faceshots in the Wasatch and over 30 inches in the past 4 days at Snowbird!
Colorado is seeing moderate snowfall near Steamboat (10 inches as of 5PM) and along I-70 near Vail and Summit County (3-6 inches). The tricky forecast deals with multiple wind shifts where certain resorts will be favored. Currently westerly flow favors Steamboat ( 10-12 additional tonight and Tuesday AM). Cold air sags south along I-70 and enhances snowfall Tuesday AM through Wednesday AM. Generally 9-12 inches can be expected including Aspen, Vail, and Summitt County. The winds shift to Southwest during the PM Tuesday and continue into Wednesday evening setting up a 12-20 inch event for areas like Crested Butte, Silverton, Wolf Creek and Durango. The models show deep moisture through Wednesday and pushing back up through Central and Northern Colorado late AM including Summit County,and the Front Range near Denver(Eldora).
Bottom Line: Cold air and winds going from West, to Southwest, to eventually North are likely to impact all ski areas in Colorado with the greatest impacts (12-20) in the North (Steamboat), Southwest (Crested Butte, Silverton, Wolf Creek) and moderate amounts (9-12) along I-70 and East towards Vail.
Even the east coast gets some action however you have to chase into northern Maine to grab 6-10 inches of heavy wet snow (Sugarloaf).
image provided by intellicast.com
THE CHASE!
TUESDAY: Crystal Mountain (35 inches waiting on top and untouched), Jackson Hole (20 plus on top and untouched), Grand Targhee (10-15 new untouched top) Snowbird,Solitude, Sundance , Brighton, Park City, Alta (7-12 new fluff and snowing). Steamboat Colorado (4-8 new on top of 10 from Monday). Sugarloaf USA 4-9
WEDNESDAY: Crested Butte, Silverton, Wolf Creek, Aspen (Wildcard). PM: Vail, Summit County (Storm skiing and getting deeper.
Thursday: Pacific Northwest see’s another moderate storm! Some left over powder on the front range including Eldora and Winter Park.
EXTENDED POW? XMAS BLOWER LIKELY!
The Pacific Northwest gets active by Thursday/Friday however the real story looks to be the Sierra who seems very wet through the early part of next week. If you live in the Rockies we see a large winter storm setting up over Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado for XMAS Eve and Christmas Day so keep your fingers crossed for some deep Santa Face Shots!
Enjoy The Powder!
Powderchaser Steve – www.powderchasers.com
