Wind, that four-letter word, has been the primary factor with the recent weather. While temperatures remain on the cool side for a couple more days, at least the winds ease. Snow is in the forecast off and on until the weekend. Then it takes a break as the sun comes out and temperatures edge upward. By early next week it should feel downright balmy, although breezes return once again.
The slopes at the Snowy Range Ski and Recreation Area were plenty white this past weekend, with 10 inches of new snow over the two days. Another five inches is in the forecast before the weekend. Then the clouds clear out, winds ease and temperatures warm. Those conditions continue into early next week.
Northwest Wyoming transformed into a winter wonderland this past weekend. Over the weekend a whopping three feet of snow blanketed the slopes at Grand Targhee. Another foot of snow is in the forecast before the weekend when the snowfall finally takes a break. Over Teton Pass at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, snowfall depths were similar. All that snow brought the snowpack up to 98% of average for the season.
To the south in Colorado the snow also arrived, although not as intense as northwest Wyoming. Steamboat continues to come out the winner with skiers and snowboarders enjoying 18 inches of new powder last weekend, and another 10 inches expected before easing off for the weekend.
Skiers and riders at Winter Park enjoyed plenty of powder as well last weekend. The forecast is for another 10 inches by the end of this week, and then clearing for the weekend. The snowpack there to 112% of normal.
Personnel at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center report the avalanche danger for the southern Wyoming and northern Colorado mountains is rated “considerable” near and above treeline and “moderate” below treeline. Avalanches are most likely in recently drifted snow, especially on slopes facing an easterly direction. 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 177 inches of snow so far this season, according to Don Day Jr. at dayweather.com. This is a 15-inch increase from last week. According to Open Snow, the snowpack in the Snowy Range is 98% 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 new snow forecast for Friday. Winds ease and continue abated on Saturday. It should be a clear and sunny weekend, offering an excellent opportunity to enjoy all the recent snowfall.
Backcountry skiers report excellent conditions on all trails accessed via Highway 130. All of the ski trails are user-packed. That means expect trudging through some fluff in routes off the beaten track. Conditions are very good to excellent 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 minimal grooming this late in the season. Expect some wind-scouring when crossing the dam next to the Scout Camp, but otherwise coverage is very good.
Conditions on the Nordic ski trails at the Happy Jack Recreation Area vary from good to excellent. Those ratings change from day-to-day, and even hour-to-hour. With warmer temperatures, expect icy conditions early in the morning, transitioning to soft conditions by mid-day. 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. Expect icy stretches and some hard-packed drifts. 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.
As of Tuesday morning, the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service snow measuring stations reports 59 inches of snow at Cinnabar Park, an increase of six inches from last week. The station at Brooklyn Lake reports 71 inches, an increase of six inches from last week. The report at Sand Lake on the north end of the Medicine Bow Mountains reports 85 inches, an increase of nine inches from last week. The measuring station at Medicine Bow Peak, at an elevation of 10,500 feet, reports 104 inches, a decrease of 11 inches from last week. The Crow Creek station on Pole Mountain shows 17 inches, an increase of three inches 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.
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. Be aware of instability and avoid steep areas where the drifted snow is more prone to slides.
Quick Numbers
Wyoming downhill areas
Snowy Range Ski Area: 52-inch base; 5 lifts, 33 trails and 100% of terrain open.
Antelope Butte: 18-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, 28 trails and 100% of terrain open.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: 124-inch base; 13 lifts, 129 trails and 98% of terrain open.
Meadowlark Ski Area: 26-inch base; 2 lifts, 12 trails and 86% of terrain open.
Sleeping Giant: Closed this season.
Snow King: 61-inch base; 8 lifts, 41 trails and 87% of terrain open.
White Pine: 22-inch base; 2 lifts, 22 trails and 76% of terrain open.
Colorado downhill areas
Arapahoe Basin: 49-inch base; 9 lifts, 138 trails and 954% of terrain open.
Breckenridge: 62-inch base; 33 lifts, 187 trails and 100% of terrain open.
Copper Mountain: 63-inch base; 19 lifts, 153 trails and 97% of terrain open.
Eldora: 31-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: 57-inch base; 10 lifts, 93 trails and 99% of terrain open.
Steamboat: 120-inch base; 23 lifts, 181 trails and 100% of terrain open.
Vail: 71-inch base; 33 lifts, 275 trails and 100% of terrain open.
Winter Park: 73-inch base; 20 lifts, 168 trails and 100% of terrain open.
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