Our Gold Sponsors

POWDER ALERT NORTH CASCADES!  EXTENDED FORECAST BRINGS A POSSIBLE DUMP TO THE SAN JUANS AND THE NORTHERN ROCKIES.

SUMMARY

The final decent wave (Storm #3) is going to bring yet another powder day to the Pacific Northwest for Friday morning. What's ideal is that all 3 storms this week have produced mainly overnight pow making it an ideal chase location to close out the week. The interior of BC continues to get light snow showers that will increase by Friday/Saturday. That Trough splits south over the Sierra for Saturday with another branch splitting east over the northern Rockies. The Rockies stay warm and dry until temps cool slightly Sunday bringing snow back to the Tetons and to a lesser extent the Wasatch in Utah. The extended forecast shows a deep trough possible for the San Juan Range mid next week. The northern Rockies might get deep by the end of next week.

FORECAST 

Snow will begin falling in the North Cascades Thursday.  Most of the models agree that 7-10 inches will be likely by first chairs at Mount Baker by Friday morning and perhaps 3-5 inches further south towards Stevens.  I have low confidence in any deep dumps outside these regions. Whistler is likely to land in the 4-8 inch range. 

The system in the Pacific Northwest splits with a southern branch heading into the Sierra for storm skiing on Saturday with some freshies expected for Sunday morning.  Currently, amounts focus primarily in the central or northern portions of the Sierra with much less to no new snow in the chase forecast for the southern areas. Head north to Alpine Meadows, Sugar Bowl, Squaw, or perhaps Heavenly who will likely see 4-8 inches by late Saturday.  Winds will be strong Saturday so it's possible that upper lifts remain closed at some points Saturday making it possible to ski the storm total either late PM or early Sunday. That puts both Saturday and Sunday as possible good days to ride powder. The bases will see less snow due to warmer temps with the summits in the upper ranges. Remember to head north for the deepest pow. 

The northern branch of the system to impact the Pacific Northwest Friday moves into southern BC and the northern Panhandle of Idaho increasing the odds of some moderate snow to impact these areas. Precipitation for the Rockies increases for Saturday night into Sunday primarily impacting the Tetons (Light to moderate amounts possible for Sunday morning). The Wasatch will see light snow on Sunday. Colorado will also see light snowfall focussed on Sunday mid-morning to early Monday. 

Below: Total snowfall for the West through Sunday morning showing the highest amounts in the PNW, moderate for the interior of BC, and a small area of decent freshies in the northern Sierra.  The Tetons get teased Sunday morning with less falling over Utah. 

\"\"

Skip ahead to the extended forecast for an interesting period of southern storms followed by a chance of a deep northern Rockies storm. 

 

EXTENDED 

The models show decent subtropical moisture streaming up from the southern California Coast in the Tuesday-Wednesday time period. This is likely to bring a decent event to southern Colorado in the midweek period (Tuesday night or Wednesday). Southern Utah is a wildcard.  

Below:  A southern trough with a decent tap of moisture from the Pacific makes its way over southern regions of the forecast area for mid-next week. This might bring decent snow to the San Juan Range. 

\"\"

Meanwhile, as temperatures have stayed warm for many of these systems, a cold front (Finally) makes it's way down from Canada late next week bringing in a glimmer of hope for a decent cold storm to impact the northern Rockies from Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and Colorado.  Next Weekend is a long way off for any accuracy, however, the odds are increasing for a decent dump. 

Below:  Low confidence this far out, with the ensembles showing a cold front and decent trough, likely to impact the northern Rockies late next week or the weekend.  

\"\"

Enjoy the powder everyone! 

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 professional weather team to boost your next powder chases. From 2 to 14 chases, pick the powder concierge package that satisfies your powder needs!

  • Minute-to-minute snow + weather data
  • Tips + hacks on how to score first chair + stage + eat
  • Direct access to our Powderchasers team
  • 50% off 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 230 uncrowded, authentic destinations across the globe that offer you two ski days at each destination. 24/25 pass now on sale in limited quantities!

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 Company

Selkirk Powder Company

After 21 seasons, Selkirk Powder needed to seek out a new operating base, so, along with the Idaho Department of Lands, they created a new 6,250 acre commercial area for backcountry skiing next to their former Schweitzer operation. It’s bigger, taller, steeper: it's called Atlasta–Casey. Join them beginning in January 2025! 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.

The IKON Pass

The IKON Pass

Seek endless adventure on the open road. With destinations coast to coast, make the most out of winter with an Ikon Pass.

POWDERCHASERS POWDER CONCIERGE

View all