After record snowfalls for the past week including 3 feet in the Northwest, 35-42 inches at Squaw Valley and over 50 inches at Alta during the past 7 days we save perhaps the deepest for last as many resorts are gearing down for the season. Some have already closed such as Aspen Highlands and Telluride today who ended up having respectable snow totals after a very slow start to the year.

 

The next storm is not only very moist but unusually cold for April so instead of classifying this as the Spring Monster how about "Mid Winter Blast". Squaw Valley who some think only gets "Sierra Cement" has the best kept secret of low snow levels at times and this storm is no exception as heavy snow is about to blast them Sunday night and Monday (20-28 inches and low density).

 

A sharp cold front will blast through the Wasatch of Utah beginning around 1pm on Monday and continue to pound them with deep fluff through Tuesday. Moisture ahead of the front will begin early Monday with 4-8 inches likely before the front arrives later in the day.  Brighton, Solitude, Park City,Canyons, Deer Valley and Snowbasin are favored early on Monday.  By Tuesday evening expect storm totals to exceed 25-30 inches in some spots especially in the Cottonwood Canyons.  The Tetons and Grand Targhee will have moderate snow Monday morning through Tuesday morning with 9-14 inches likely over the next few days. They have been getting consistent 9-12 inch dumps in the past several days with the Hobacks still closed on lower mountain due to low snowpack (What's up with that?).

 

Colorado riders will  see heavy snow on Monday night through Wednesday with storm totals in the 12-24 inch ranch in many areas. The winds in Colorado start out from the Southwest on Monday night and early Tuesday favoring areas such as Crested Butte, Aspen and in some cases Steamboat so I would be surprised to see high accumulations along I-70 until Tuesday afternoon. This might spell a deep day in the Aspen area Tuesday morning and a 2nd chance for a deep day at Vail , Steamboat or Beaver Creek late Tuesday or early Wednesday. All areas especially the Central and Northern mountains will do well over the next 3 days. Snow will continue lightly on Wednesday morning over the higher summits of the I-70 corridor as well as Berthod and Loveland Pass (Might do better Tuesday night).

 

Spring has not sprung so yank the boards out this week and enjoy what may be our last chance for mid winter epic conditions. High pressure settles in Thursday-Saturday with a good chance of light or moderate snow by next Sunday.

 

The Chase

 

Monday:  Any of the Tahoe area resorts (DEEP storm ski day with wind)

Monday PM:  Utah resorts favored by SW flow (Brighton, Solitude, Snowbasin)

Tuesday: Snowbird, Alta, Canyons -Take your pick as they will all be deep. The  

chase should also include Aspen and Crested Butte on Tuesday AM

 

Tuesday PM: Vail, Steamboat, (Storm ski day and getting deep)

Wednesday:  Leftovers in Aspen and perhaps new deep snow at Vail, Winter Park,

                      and Loveland as the winds shift to the North or Northwest. 

 

Enjoy the POW  and please post your powder on the forum page of the website.

 Powderchaser