Our Gold Sponsors

POWDER ALERT! FIRST SIGNIFICANT STORM OF THE SEASON-7-14 INCHES FOR HIGHER TERRAIN IN COLORADO, LARAMIE RANGE, RED LODGE WYOMING. LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW POSSIBLE FOR THE UINTA RANGE OF UTAH  AND TEASE OVER THE COTTONWOODS.

Very cold air from Canada and well below normal for early September will be bring December like temps to many areas of the Rockies. The brunt of the next storm will favor the Eastern ranges of Montana (Glacier National Park), Central Wyoming (Including the Wind River Range), Eastern Wyoming (Laramie Range), and most of the Front Range mountains of Colorado. Light snow is likely for the urban corridor of Denver. Decent amounts may be possible on grassy surfaces around the urban corridor Tuesday with less on the roadways.

The models last week held up with the Euro hinting at this significant storm cutting off in the 4 Corners by Tuesday. The GFS and Canadian were not onboard until just a few days ago. Consensus is high that a significant storm is likely especially for south central Wyoming, and most of Colorado favoring the Front Range and eastern San Juans in the south. Amounts will likely exceed 12-15 inches in these areas by early Wednesday.  The bulk of Precipitation will fall late Monday-early Tuesday in Montana, northern Wyoming (Wind River Range) and mostly early Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning for Colorado. The GFS is pretty bullish for some moderate snow for the northern mountains of New Mexico, late Tuesday to Wednesday, especially near Taos (Euro showing less). Light snow showers will continue over the higher terrain of Colorado Wednesday/Thursday. Further west in Colorado (Copper, Vail, Aspen) 3-7 inches are likely Tuesday/Wednesday.  Higher amounts are possible as winds shift from N, NE to NW at some point Tuesday afternoon behind the cold front. If the winds shift to the NW the mountains west of the Continental Divide will pick up higher amounts. 

Is this really early September? 

Below: 10K foot temps plunge to -8 to -10C from north to south beginning late Monday (Montana). You can see the coldest temps (darker greens) stay along or east of the Continental Divide. Utah and western Wyoming will see a cool down (-1 to -4) at the 10K foot level with some light snow possible. The Uinta Range may see higher amounts just east of the Wasatch range. 

\"\"

Below: University of Utah Plumes showing multiple model runs and still some discrepancy on amounts for Berthoud Pass by late Tuesday evening. The mean is between 5-10 inches.  It's possible that Rocky Mountain National Park see higher amounts. Some lines on this graph (Outliers) show up to 15-20 inches for Berthoud Pass but it's unlikely. 

\"\"

Below: Wolf Creek Pass- University of Utah weather Plumes are very bullish for the Eastern San Juan Range. Winds are not optimal (N or NE for the Ski Area, however the models still show decent amounts especially on the eastern side of the pass. These averages are pretty bullish (10-15). 

\"\"

Below: Jackson Hole Ski area- Less bullish with the highest amounts further east towards the Wind River Range and Laramie peaks. These models runs show lots of discrepancy with the mean around 4 inches at the peak. 

\"\"

With regional travel up the winter, midweek and weekends, join our Concierge service for custom forecasting specifically for your needs. The includes snow amounts, winds, density, which resorts, and specific days to chase. All of our Concierge rates are going up on October 15th. Book early season for the best value. You can also donate to Powderchasers if we have helped you score powder. We are also accepting sponsorships and advertising so please send us an email from the contact form on the website.  

Enjoy the powder everyone!  Some crazies are bound to be out there with their rock skis this week. Just remember if you mess up now, you may be out all season. 

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

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.

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