Exciting news, friends. I’m heading to Utah next week for a conference and some riding and will be spending time at Snowbird. If you’ll be around, shoot me a message. Always down for a baby beer or a martini served in a thimble.
Alright, let’s talk snow. It’s January 9th and this is what’s been going on in the world of winter.
Utah and the Central Rockies
A Big Week, and Well-Timed Turns
Utah was one of the clear winners this week, with several feet of snow stacking up across the Wasatch early in the week. If you’re headed there now or soon, conditions are exactly what you want to see coming out of a storm cycle.
What it means:Fresh snow, good coverage, and solid riding heading into the weekend. The bigger takeaway, though, is timing. This storm cycle was likely the best many Western resorts have seen so far this season.
Pacific Northwest
Heavy Snow, Then a Complicated Turn
Washington resorts also got hit hard this week, continuing the theme of the West finally cashing in on colder air and lower snow levels.
Looking ahead, things get trickier. A warming trend is on the way, and an atmospheric river will bring moisture into Washington and Western Canada this weekend and early next week.
What it means:Short-term snow was excellent. Going forward, elevation will matter a lot. Lower-elevation and coastal resorts are more likely to see rain or mixed precipitation, while higher-elevation and interior resorts fare better.
California
Solid Storms, Then Drying Out
California picked up some respectable snowfall this week, especially at resorts like Palisades Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain.
That said, the pattern ahead turns much drier.
What it means:Enjoy what’s on the ground now, because the West Coast looks headed into a quieter stretch. Groomers and chalky leftovers will be the name of the game rather than refills.
Western Canada
The One Exception to the Western Dry Spell
While much of the Western U.S. dries out, Western Canada stays active, though not without challenges.
Warm storms will impact BC and parts of Washington, pushing snow levels higher. Interior and higher-elevation resorts in BC and Alberta are favored for snowfall, while coastal resorts deal with rain risk.
What it means:If you’re skiing Canada in the next week, elevation is everything. Interior BC and Alberta are your best bets for consistent snow.
Midwest
Rain This Week, Snow This Weekend
The Midwest dealt with rain earlier this week, but colder air moves in behind it.
What it means:Snow arriving this weekend should help reset conditions. It won’t be a blockbuster, but it’s enough to improve surfaces and keep winter moving forward.
Northeast & Mid-Atlantic
A Very Familiar Pattern
This week was a mixed bag across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with rain and snow depending heavily on elevation and timing.
Looking ahead:
* Widespread rain Friday into Saturday
* A cold front follows late weekend
* Snow showers develop behind the front
Yes, that means another thaw / freeze cycle. We’ve been there before (though not very many times this season, which has been fortunate!) We will rebound just fine.
What it means:This isn’t a dealbreaker. Eastern resorts are well-versed in managing these patterns, and colder air returning next week keeps snowmaking in play and surfaces improving.
A Quick Jay Peak Sidebar
Let’s Give Jay It’s Flowers
Last week, I talked about December snowfall winners, and many of you jumped in to defend Jay Peak. And honestly, you weren’t wrong.
Jay Peak had an incredible December.
Since the start of the season, Jay reports roughly:
* 240 inches total
* About 8 feet falling in December alone
That’s one of the strongest December totals in the country.
It’s probably not fair to pit one resort against an entire region, but what is fair to say is that this season has been pretty special at Jay and at many East Coast resorts overall.
Let’s see where we stand by the end of January. Hopefully we’ve got another snowy rivalry worth talking about.
That’s it for now. Bop over to OpenSnow for more specific snow info for your favorite resorts and I’ll see you next week.
-Halley
