Hana Beaman, Steamboat Colo. Photo: Ikon Pass
Given that it’s still the first week of November, it’s been a fairly stellar start for ski resorts in the Western U.S. Most mountainous regions west of the Mississippi have received an accumulation of snow, and some much more than others. This week promises to be a banger for many resorts, especially in Colorado, according to the good people at PowderChasers.
Resorts like Snowbird, Grand Targhee, Breckenridge, Steamboat all received between 5-10 inches of snow by Wednesday on top of healthy snow totals these resorts have already enjoyed. But the current storm is about to pummel Southern Colorado and the Four Corners Region that includes resorts like Durango, Wolf Creek, Ski Santa Fe, and Taos.
This according to PowderChasers:
This low will cut off (stall) and will provide very significant snowfall to some areas of the northern and central mountains of New Mexico, Southeastern ranges of the Colorado San Juan Range, eastern plains of Colorado, and perhaps moderate snow further north into the central mountains of Colorado (wildcard). ……At this point, our forecast is going to favor the eastern San Juan Range of Colorado (Wolf Creek wildcard), and extend into most of northern New Mexico. Some areas of New Mexico could pick up 20-30 inches of powder through Friday. The highest totals might land on the eastern-favored resorts such as Angel Fire, Ski Santa Fe and Pajarita. Taos will also pick up significant totals but likely less.
The forecasting site calls Wolf Creek the “wildcard,” but WC has a reputation for starting the season early (and the terrain is so underrated).
PowderChasers is also calling for another significant storm next week that will blanket most of the Western U.S. and Canada. “Another strong low-pressure system is likely to impact much of Canada, the Pacific Northwest, and perhaps the Sierra early to mid-next week (November 11-14). This will likely dig further south than the last storm and impact a wide area of the West as an open trough (good for many ski areas).”
According to the site, Jackson Hole and Palisades Tahoe could both receive double-digit snow totals.
Things are certainly starting off right for much of the West this winter. The backcountry has also opened up in many areas but be cautious of early season conditions as you venture out. Have fun out there!
Read the entire report from PowderChasers here.
