The chase yesterday took me to Squaw Valley where over 57 inches of blower pow (Cold storm) was awaiting my first KT 22 chair! The sky went bluebird by noon when KT began to spin. I would rank that 1st run as one of my best ever in CA and certainly, the Squaw locals were stoked. Miles Clark from Snowbrains drove for 3 days from Sandpoint Idaho to get there after hitting an animal (Goodbye radiator), and 2 speeding tickets later. It took him 3 days to get there for about the 9th chair on KT.
Utah is getting pounded! Cold air and NW flow kicked in last night for the Cottonwoods with up to 2 feet being reported as of 5 AM Wednesday. Little Cottonwood grabbed 19 inches of blower overnight. Big Cottonwood has 14 (Solitude). The Canyons side of Park City has over 14 inches and would be an excellent choice this morning. Little Cottonwood Canyon is remaining closed all day!
Snow will continue through the day favoring the NW slopes (Little Cottonwood, Canyons, Powder Mountain). The heaviest snow will be in LCC, with another 7-10 inches on Wednesday. Snow tapers tonight. Alta may remain on interlodge all day. Today will be epic in most of Utah, with your best runs at resorts outside the congested Cottonwoods. Check out Park City (Canyons side is deeper), or perhaps travel south to Sundance near Provo (10 inches).
Right Now! Snowbird
In Colorado, the storm performed as forecasted with the highest amounts in the San Juan mountains including Aspen (8-10 inches). Wolf Creek reported 11 inches. Telluride (Wildcard pick) grabbed 4-6 with radar echoes showing decent snowfall at post time. One surprise was Beaver Creek who appear to have seen some decent amounts last night. Steamboat was on our forecast yesterday benefitting from SW winds and West winds (8 overnight). Winds are going to shift to the NW late AM or early PM Wednesday. This should increase snowfall for the northern and central mountains. I am somewhat bullish that Vail, Copper, and areas along I-70 grab 4-8 inches (Higher amounts over Vail Pass). Summit will be on the lower end of that forecast with a possible surprise for Breckenridge (Often overperforms with NW flow).
Below: Park City Utah-m Canyons side is deep!
The extended forecast still looks on track for a decent storm for the Cascades (favoring southern or central WA and all of Oregon) this weekend. The Sierra gets a teaser late this week with another good storm for the weekend!
Powderchaser Steve
