Our Gold Sponsors

SUMMARY:

Arctic cold air and significant snow are going to slam the west this week with several opportunities to ride deep freshies and blower pow.

Bring your snorkels, especially mid to late week for Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Colorado. Late week will feature several feet for the Pacific Northwest. It's amazing how the models are going nuts on April 1st just when yesterday there was no hint of blower pow in the forecast.  Its amazing at the changes in the model runs in just 1 day!  

Who got caught up in the headlines this morning?  Welcome to April 1st! Hey, there is snow in the forecast but leave the snorkel at home. Some spots in the west will try to get deep midweek above 8500 feet especially in Utah (5-10). The Pacific Northwest is a serious (Non-April Fools), contender this weekend that spreads over the Rockies (Tetons could get deep by Sunday). BC finally gets into the action for the weekend. 

The Real Forecast:

My forecast yesterday morning for 5-10 inches for the San Juan mountains was in range.  

Wolf Creek- 9 inches

Telluride: 8 inches

Purgatory: 7 inches. 

My timing was off as most of the snow fell during the day while the lifts were open versus 50/50 (Day-night).  The highest intensity fell late AM to mid-afternoon so it's likely to find stashes of powder that were not skied on Sunday.  Temps are much warmer today so get out early and enjoy what may have been one of the last truly cold storms (12-14 degrees at the summit of Wolf Creek yesterday morning). 

The week ahead features typical April moisture with higher snow levels.  Overall the pattern for warmer air and perhaps above average moisture look to take hold to start off the month.  The Sierra will get rain below 8,000 feet lowering to 7,000 feet on Tuesday (Light or moderate snow at the summits).  The higher elevations of the Rockies including the Wasatch (Above 8,000 feet) may see 5-10 inches by early Wednesday morning.  Precipitation picks up in Utah and Wyoming Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday albeit warm.  If you want some cream that buffs out the bumps head to Utah for Wednesday morning powder, possibly coated with some sandpaper faceshots mixed with graupel or even just dense powder.  The Tetons will see similar conditions on Wednesday morning specifically at the summits of JHMR albeit lighter than the Wasatch. 

Colorado does slightly better density wise for Wednesday morning with the models showing a wide area of 2-5 inches primarily falling Tuesday night.  This will include the northern and southern mountains.  Steamboat might see slightly higher amounts at the summit (Some snow late Tuesday) but suffers at the base elevation wise (Rain/mixed with snow).  It's worth watching how things shape up for Wednesday morning powder (Mainly above 7500 feet) but my expectations are pretty low currently. It's possible the higher amounts stay west of Summit County or south (SW winds).   

EXTENDED FORECAST 

The extended has some merit!  The Pacific Northwestlooks to be the most active beginning on Thursday and continuing through Monday.  Steady snow and rain showers are likely late this week in the Cascades and coastal BC.  4500-foot snow levels midweek rise late week before dropping back for the upcoming weekend (4,000-4500).   Crystal benefits from the 4,000 base elevation, however, the heaviest moisture appears to be aimed for the northern Cascades and BC under SW flow (Pushes the highest moisture north).  It's possible that Whistlergrabs 1-2 feet of snow at the summit by Sunday with higher amounts possible (Not an April Fools Joke). Whistler benefits from the good elevation at the peaks.  It will be raining at the base. 

Below: The GFS is more bullish than the Euro (Not shown) for WA.  Highest amounts are north towards Mount Baker. The higher amounts further south are for Mount Hood, however, Crystal deserves watching (Higher base elevation) as well as Stevens at the summit. These are weekly totals through Sunday afternoon.  It's going to be a slow steady event possibly peaking late Sunday or Monday morning. 

\"\"

In looking for colder temperatures for the PNW Monday will deliver cooler temps driving quality, especially the northern Cascades.  That may be the best day where the surf pow mixes in with some medium density at the summits.  

Below: Southern BC in the 20-inch range at the highest peaks closer to the coast and 4-10 inches further inland (Interior BC).  We have not talked about snow in BC for a while!  These are weekly totals ending at midnight Sunday. 

\"\"

The PNW systems drive south into Oregon late week (Warm) and the Sierra.  The Rockieswill get the effect by next weekend as weakened moisture overspreading the Sierra and Oregon moves east over the Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.   Temps in the Rockies may be slightly cooler with this system.  The Tetons may be favored from an initial perspective but it's beyond the period of confidence. 

ANNOUNCEMENT: 

Snoshark just provided us a $39 discounted rate for Powderchasers (Normally $59) for the best snow removal tool for the deep (Fast).  Use this link to access this promotion  https://snoshark.com/discount/PCSPRING.    Enter PCSPRING in the promotion box for an addItional $10 off.    Total should come up at $39.95.

Any concierge sign ups now for mid leval or greater get full benefits for all of next season!  Thats a good deal if chase and want custom forecasts.  

https://powderchasers.com/concierge

 

 

Enjoy the powder everyone!  Happy April Fools Day!  The only joke here is in the summary.  Let's keep dreaming that it happens. 

Powderchaser Steve 

 

DONATE TO POWDERCHASERS

Thank you so much, we couldn't do what we do with support from our readers.

Support our work
click here to donate

POWDERCHASERS TRIP CONCIERGE SERVICES

Our expertise gets you direct contact with our weather team to boost your next powder chases. From 2 to 14 chases, pick the concierge package that satisfies your powder hound!

  • Minute-to-minute snow + weather data
  • Tips + hacks on how to score first chair + where to park, stage + eat
  • Direct access to our Powederchasers
  • Sweet merchandise

POWDERCHASERS PASS OPTIONS - Buy + Save 10% on Concierge Trip Planning Packages

SHOP POWDERCHASERS GEAR

View all

ASK A POWDERCHASER

POWDERCHASERS SPONSORS

POWDERCHASERS PARTNERS

eco friendly ski/snowboard wax

Purl Wax

Purl Wax creates eco-friendly ski wax and snowboard wax with superior speed and durability. Biodegradable | No PFC's | No Toxic Chemicals | Made in the USA ...
Skis.com

Skis.com

Skis.com is a family owned company that has been in the ski industry for more than 50 years! Skis.com is a one stop shop online retailer for all your ski equipment and clothing needs!

Alaska Backcountry Guides

Alaska Backcountry Guides

Alaska Backcountry Guides, is a team of dedicated industry veterans. We offer semi-private and private heliski/snowboard trips in the heart of the Chugach mountains. With a maximum of 2 groups per helicopter, we are more nimble to explore the endless terrain that is at our doorstep, and you will never be waiting for the helicopter to take your next run. Alaska is known for its steep terrain, but we have plenty of intermediate terrain as well, and are able to cater to a range of ability levels. These trips are designed with the pandemic era in mind; we have private lodging, a personal chef, regular covid testing for staff/guides/guests, and small group riding to ensure an intimate and safe experience.

Beaver Mountain Ski Area

Beaver Mountain Ski Area

Beaver Mountain Ski Area has been family owned and operated for 81 years. Located in northern Utah we receive that great Utah powder. A great ski and snowboard experience without the prices or crowds of the big resorts.

Unofficial Networks

Unofficial Networks

In 2010, UnofficialNetworks.com was launched to cover the global ski scene with the rollout of local reporters in ski towns across North America. Since that time, the website has recorded hundreds of millions of sessions and has been linked to by numerous publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, and ESPN.

Indy Pass

Indy Pass

Chase powder to over 120 uncrowded, authentic destinations across the globe that offer you two ski days at each destination. 23/24 pass sales currently on hold!

TIRERACK.com

TIRERACK.com

TireRack.com is Powderchasers’ preferred tire supplier and their tires get us to the powder every single time. They’re America’s largest independent tire tester and consumer-direct source for tires, wheels and performance accessories.

This year, they’re making winter tire and wheel shopping even easier with their new Recommended Package feature. All you have to do is tell them a little bit about your vehicle, and they’ll automatically create a winter package for you. Find your Recommended Package.

Selkirk Powder

Selkirk Powder

Selkirk Powder provides cat, self-propelled, and snowmobile-assisted alpine ski excursions and guided snowmobile tours. A verified outfitter of Polaris Adventures, AIARE avalanche education Provider. With license and permits covering over 200,000 acres of the rugged and beautiful Selkirk Mountain range, SPC conveniently operates at Schweitzer in Sandpoint Idaho. Email Selkirk,;Call the Selkirk Reservation Line, and follow them on Instagram

The Mountain Collective

The Mountain Collective

The Mountain Collective™ boasts 24 dream ski destinations across the globe.


The pass includes two days of skiing or riding with no blackout dates at each of the 23 partners (46 total days), 50 percent discount on all additional days.

POWDERCHASERS POWDER CONCIERGE

View all