Snow report, March 14, 2024

Snow storms continue to keep the slopes white in northwest Wyoming. Over the past 10 days, 22 inches of snow fell on the slopes at Grand Targhee. Over Teton Pass at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort snowfall was even greater with 27 inches. All that snow brought the snowpack up to 101% of average for the season.

To the south in Colorado, snowfall is steady up to this weekend when skies turn clear or only partly cloudy. Steamboat continues with excellent conditions. The snow pack there is a healthy 113% of average.

Skiers and riders at Winter Park enjoyed plenty of powder last weekend, and with another 17 inches in the forecast through Thursday this week. After that, the skies clear with only four inches of snow forecasted into next week.

Personnel at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center report the avalanche danger for the southern Wyoming and northern Colorado mountains is rated “moderate” near and above treeline and “low” below treeline. Avalanches can be triggered in the upper snowpack, breaking about a foot deep. There are no recent reports of avalanche observations in the Snowy Range or Sierra Madre Mountains on the Eastern Wyoming Avalanche Information Exchange.

At Keystone, near Rob Roy Reservoir, there have been a total of 183 inches of snow so far this season, according to Don Day Jr. at dayweather.com. This is a six-inch increase from last week and nearing the 200 inches reported by this time last year. According to Open Snow, the snowpack in the Snowy Range is 100% of average for this time of year, an increase of four percentage points from last week.

Conditions “up top” in the Snowy Range are very good with steady snowfall keeping the fluff coming through late this week. Friday and Saturday should be ideal conditions with the wind easing and possible light flurries Saturday. Winds pick up Sunday.

Backcountry skiers report excellent conditions on all trails accessed via Highway 130. All of the ski trails are user-packed. That means trudging through some fluff in routes off the beaten track. Conditions are very good, but spring-like as temperatures warm on the Libby Creek, Barber Lake and Little Laramie trails.

Conditions are quite good at Chimney Park and along the Medicine Bow Rail Trail. These routes are user-packed, with no grooming likely through the remainder of the season. Expect some wind-scouring when crossing the dam next to the Scout Camp, but otherwise coverage is good.

The trails at the Happy Jack Recreation Area came out quite the winner with six inches of snow late last week. The warmer temperatures soften the surface during the day, but with rather icy conditions as the sun comes up. Daily grooming continues with smoothing on the skate lane and setting of classic tracks as conditions allow.

The multi-use trails also vary as temperatures fluctuate. While they are packed, those using the trails should be mindful if they are leaving significant ruts or “postholes” and opt to return another day when conditions improve. This time of year can be quite variable.

The U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service snow measuring stations reports 55 inches of snow at Cinnabar Park, a decrease of four inches from last week. The station at Brooklyn Lake reports 70 inches, a decrease of one inch from last week. The report at Sand Lake on the north end of the Medicine Bow Mountains reports 86 inches, an increase of one inch from last week. The measuring station at Medicine Bow Peak, at an elevation of 10,500 feet, reports 99 inches, a decrease of five inches from last week. The Crow Creek station on Pole Mountain shows 18 inches, an increase of an inch from last week.

Cross-country skiing

Pole Mountain/Happy Jack Recreation Area Nordic ski trails: Conditions on the Nordic trails vary with the warmer temperatures, but are good for both classic and skate ski techniques. Daily grooming is underway with good coverage.

Pole Mountain/Happy Jack Recreation Area Multi-use trails: Conditions are good with packing for runners, fat bikers, and snowshoers. Expect both soft and icy conditions with the warmer temperatures.

Chimney Park Nordic ski trails: The trails are in good conditions, and user-packed. Expect wind-scouring near the dam next to the scout camp.

Snowy Range backcountry conditions: Excellent conditions with deep snow. Trails are user-packed and suitable for skiers and snowshoers.

Snowmobile conditions

Snowy Range: Conditions are excellent up high with a 4- to 7-foot-deep base; expect lighter winds Friday and Saturday, but picking up again on Sunday.

Quick Numbers

Wyoming downhill areas

Snowy Range Ski Area: 53-inch base; 5 lifts, 33 trails and 100% of terrain open.

Antelope Butte: 20-inch base; no additional information available.

Grand Targhee: 112-inch base; 6 lifts, 89 trails and 94% of terrain open.

Hogadon: 55-inch base; 2 lifts, 26 trails and 93% of terrain open.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: 112-inch base; 13 lifts, 129 trails and 98% of terrain open.

Meadowlark Ski Area: 9-inch base; 2 lifts, 12 trails and 86% of terrain open.

Sleeping Giant: Closed this season.

Snow King: 58-inch base; 7 lifts, 39 trails and 83% of terrain open.

White Pine: 26-inch base; 2 lifts, 29 trails and 100% of terrain open.

Colorado downhill areas

Arapahoe Basin: 55-inch base; 9 lifts, 140 trails and 97% of terrain open.

Breckenridge: 62-inch base; 33 lifts, 187 trails and 100% of terrain open.

Copper Mountain: 60-inch base; 19 lifts, 153 trails and 97% of terrain open.

Eldora: 34-inch base; 10 lifts, 65 trails and 100% of terrain open.

Keystone: 54-inch base; 21 lifts, 140 trails and 100% of terrain open.

Loveland: 54-inch base; 10 lifts, 93 trails and 99% of terrain open.

Steamboat: 116-inch base; 23 lifts, 181 trails and 100% of terrain open.

Vail: 69-inch base; 33 lifts, 275 trails and 100% of terrain open.

Winter Park: 79-inch base; 20 lifts, 168 trails and 100% of terrain open.