Colorado’s Snowpack Is 124% Of Its Average

By Barclay | May 12, 2016 5:58 pm ET

Jay Welz and Lauren Austin, hydrologic technicians with Colorado Snow Survey, weigh a snow sample near the Hidden Valley snow course in Rocky Mountain National Park. The surveyors measured 8.6 inches of SWE for Hidden Valley, which is 130 percent of the normal amount typically measured during the May 1st survey | Photo Credit: NRCS

Jay Welz and Lauren Austin measured 8.6 inches of SWE for Hidden Valley, which is 130 percent of the normal amount typically measured during the May 1st survey | Photo Credit: NRCS

While Colorado’s seasons are typically longer than many other states, this year is downright nuts.

With 124% of its normal snowpack, Colorado is still skiing really well and ski mountaineering season is in full swing. While periods of sunshine have brought warmth to the dark corners of mud season, quick bursts snowfall are keeping the mountains fresh.

Looking good Colorado… Real good | Photo Credit: NRCS

In the high alpine, conditions and coverage are better than good and with Arapahoe Basin extending their season into June, it looks like Colorado diehards will only have to endure 3 months of non-lift accessed skiing before Loveland and A-Basin race to open in October.

“Almost all of state’s river basins experienced increases in percent of normal snowpack compared to last month.” – NRCS

That said, I’m getting ahead of myself.

A-Basin on Tuesday | Photo Credit: Al’s Blog

After 11″ of new snow this past week, Arapahoe Basin reopened Pali, East Wall, and North Glade. According to Al’s Blog, the skiing early in the week was more reminiscent of February than it was of May. So far, things are looking good for extending the season well into June.