Mammoth Mountain has received 24 inches in the last three days. Photo: Mammoth
Winter has definitely taken a turn for the better in the Golden State. California is currently in a banger of a snow cycle, getting pummeled with the white stuff and allowing for a midwinter treat for skiers and snowboarders. From the Tahoe Basin to Mammoth, resorts have picked up plenty of depth over the last week with one last bump to go in this storm sequence (more on that in a minute). Here’s a quick look at some of the numbers.
Palisades Tahoe has picked up 35 inches over the last week and seven overnight. In South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood has been in the storm’s eye for certain, nabbing 28 inches in the last 48 hours. The resort has received 41 inches in seven days and has gotten 222 inches on the season. Note that in some cases, the snow has come in at higher temperatures so there could be a bit of thickness to navigate (it was 31 degrees midday at Kirkwood).
Mammoth has also scored, with 24 inches in the last three days.
Things are looking good for the next disturbance as well. “The second storm kicks off on Tuesday evening in California,” wrote Powderchasers. “Resorts in the western Lake Tahoe basin could squeeze out as much as 6-7 inches between Tuesday night and Wednesday, although totals ranging from 2-5 inches seem likely for Tahoe resorts. Mammoth should pick up around four inches.”
The storm will also be realy solid for Utah’s Wasatch so if you’re looking to follow the storms, that’d be the next logical stop. “During this storm, Wednesday will be the best day of skiing, with 7-11 inches of overnight snow for the Cottonwood (Canyons) likely. Storm totals from storm number one and number two will end up between 20 and 30 inches for resorts in the Cottonwood Canyons which started on Monday.” Powderchasers also noted that the Wasatch is set up to get higher quality snow thanks to elevation and generally cooler temps as the storm hits Utah.
Sounds as if high pressure might set in for most of the West this weekend but there is another storm on the horizon next week. Details to come.
