Our Gold Sponsors

EPIC ALERT!  2-3 feet of freshies for areas of the west! It's happening!

Summary:

Heavy snow continues in some areas of the NW, while the next deepest spots to chase powder may land in the southern Rockies in the next 4 days. The Tetons, Wasatch are wildcards. Finally snow for the Sierra and the desert Southwest including AZ.

 

Forecast:

Today's chase took us to Stevens Pass (Love the name) where 20 inches fell overnight. Temps created the perfect powder cushion (Mid 20's summit). The 4 AM wake-up call was a tough decision between Crystal (8-9 inches and still snowing) and Alpental with 12 plus. The 4AM chase meeting with my trusty forecaster Luke included thoughts of crust underneath, what will open, temps and wind. We chose Stevens due to lower winds (Crystal had gusts in the 50s), deeper snow but scored low in the \what will open category\". 

Stevens delivered 100% today with 22-24 inches by opening, no crust, and 100% of the mountain open by 9:30 AM. All overnight pow. Thank You Stevens (Pleasant Surprise). 

Hats off to Stevens Pass Ski Patrol, Operations, and all those great employees that made it happen. By 10 AM the primary back side chair that connects with the Front Side Double Diamond lift broke down forcing us to hike for the rest of the morning. That chair spun again by 11;30AM.  

Below: @powderchasersteve at Stevens Pass early Sunday morning (All overnight pow) 

\"\"

If you want to chase powder and score the deepest snow sign up for our Concierge program which also supports Powderchasers! You can also donate to us here. Also, there are still a few open seats on Alaska Backcountry Guides in March where near record snow totals have been met in many areas. Conditions could be epic in AK this season. 

Moisture will increase for Oregon Sunday night with 12 plus inches likely for most mountain ranges favoring the northern regions. Mt Bachelor should see decent amounts also. In Washington, there are convergence zones forming from I-90 (Alpental) to Crystal.  These bands will bring an intermittent steady burst of convective snow showers that can add 4-8 inches for Monday morning (Amounts are spotty and hard to pin down). Most of the chases should focus along I-90 or south. Oregon will likely be deeper. Some upside or downside surprises in WA due to the spotty and convective nature of the snow showers through early Monday (4-12). 

Below: The Cascades will see decent snow Sunday night favoring Oregon with Crystal or White Pass wildcards  (Convergence zones Sunday night). 

\"\"

In summarizing the deepest snow, look for moderate amounts near Bozeman MT, (Big Sky and Bridger), and the Tetons through Monday. Expect 3-7 inches for these areas with perhaps higher amounts in the Tetons (Monday freshies). Snow will also be falling in the Sierra Monday night with 6-11 inches possibly favoring the Lake Tahoe Region (Ride Tuesday morning). Colorado gets into the action Monday with peak snowfall noted late PM to Tuesday morning. The highest amounts are noted just north of Steamboat (Wyoming border) and in the southern San Juan Range (Eastern sections towards Wolf Creek Pass or Purgatory). These areas can land 6-12 inches for fresh turns by Tuesday. Further east the Front Range Resorts closest to Denver should land 3-7 inches with a bit of skunk hole for Summit County (Snow increases Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday). Aspen, Crested Butte, and Monarch are solid wildcards Tuesday (Moderate snow) and worth watching. The southern mountains will be deeper. Steamboat might be worth watching also but less optimisitc.

Below: The Sierra grabs a moderate storm Monday night to Tuesday. Woo Hoo! 

\"\"

Below: Total snow for Colorado through Wednesday morning showing impressive totals in the San Juan Range with decent amounts further north favoring the western corridor including Crested Butte and Aspen. Higher totals are likely with the colder temps and higher snow ratios! 

\"\"

The Wasatch shows steady snowfall albeit light intensity from Monday late AM to Wednesday night. It's likely you will grab 2-5 inches each day with totals in the 8-14 inch range by midweek (no single deep dump). Its a slow freight train so conditons will continue to get better each day. Totals could be decent early next week. 

Below: Total snowfall for Wyoming and Utah through Wednesday morning. Colder temps and higher ratios will bring higher amounts (More snow per inch of water). Map is 10:1 

\"\"

Snow increases in Arizona (Arizona Snowbowl) Tuesday night into Wednesday. 18-24 inches are possible for northern AZ. Intensity will increase in Colorado Tuesday night to Thursday with additional moderate 24 hours periods each day. Some of this moisture may work its way further north along I-70 continuing to build snow totals slowly (Summit County, Eagle County worth watching, but areas west or south might be deeper). 

Below: University of Utah Ensemble averages showing very significant dump for Arizona Snowbowl Tuesday to Wednesday (2 feet plus is likely Tuesday-Wednesday night). 

\"\"

 

Extended

Snow continuing Tuesday night to Thursday will ramp up snow totals for the San Juan Ranges. New Mexico looks best near Taos in the late Wednesday to Thursday time period. Some mountains in the 4 corners by Thursday (Southern Utah, Southern Colorado, Northern Arizona) will see 2-3 foot storm totals (Monday to Thursday). Tuesday PM to Thursday appears to be the best window for heavy pow. 

Chases-  Thoughts on the deepest chases. 

Monday- Southern Cascades of WA or northern Oregon (Moderate or heavy snow) Tetons or Wasatch wildcards (Moderate). 

Tuesday- Southern Colorado (Aspen or Crested Butte wildcards)

Wednesday (Northern Arizona- Arizona Snowbowl)- Snow continues in the 4 corners (Utah, CO, NM). Moderate snow along the I-70 Colorado corridor. Crested Butte and Aspen are also solid contendors. 

Thursday- Northern New Mexico wildcard- Leftovers in the San Juans. 

Please follow my Instagram page @powderchasersteve for the latest in powder and travel adventure. 

See you on first chair again on Monday.

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

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 ...
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 hybrid backcountry ski tour options in the Idaho Selkirks. Selkirk Powder has been guiding backcountry skiers in the Selkirks for over 21 years and is also an AIARE avalanche education provider. Selkirk Powder operates out of Priest River, Idaho with a snowcat to help assist skiers and riders approach 6,250 acres of new permit area.Email Selkirk if you have questions and remember to follow them on Instagram

The Mountain Collective

The Mountain Collective

The Mountain Collective™ boasts 25 dream ski destinations across the globe.


The pass includes two days of skiing or riding with no blackout dates at each of the 25 partners (50 total days), 50 percent discount on all additional days.

ZOLEO

ZOLEO

Meet ZOLEO, the affordable accessory that extends your smartphone messaging coverage to everywhere on Earth and provides a safety system you can count on. Ruggedly designed, location-aware and Iridium-based, the ZOLEO satellite communicator device will keep you connected and secure when venturing beyond cell coverage.

POWDERCHASERS POWDER CONCIERGE

View all