Snowshoe village at the top of its West Virginia slopes. (Snowshoe)
Snowshoe Mountain will be putting nearly $4 million toward upgrades this summer to snowmaking and grooming technology, allowing them to open significantly more of trails by early December and to maintain a high-quality snow surface throughout ski season.
Snowshoe in West Virginia is in a prime location for wintry weather this week. (Snowshoe)
The weather pattern change we have been waiting for in the East is finally here bringing cold temperatures and snow, while the West continues to be sunny and dry.
55 inches in just six days at Washington’s Crystal Mountain. (Crystal Mountain/Facebook)
Starting off with a bang in this week’s SnoCast! A nor’easter for the Eastern U.S., and the hits keep coming out West, too. February continues to bring excellent ski conditions to much of the country.
Here’s what to expect by region for Feb. 8- 14.
West: The hits keep coming for the Western U.S. With storm after storm lining up, there continues to be plenty of moisture/snow/rain for this week. Some trouble, though, with the storm finishing this work week. Snow levels are much higher than some other recent systems this winter. This will still mean heavy snow dumps at the highest peaks, but more wet and sloppy precipitation for the mid and lower bases for some ski areas. Expect the best snow to reach the highest Sierras in California, the Washington Cascades, Idaho, Western Montana, and Wyoming through Friday. Then by the weekend, the snow will shift to the interior Rockies with snow for Utah, Colorado, and perhaps sagging as far south as New Mexico’s peaks late in the weekend. Calmer weather with good breaks of sun for much of the West Sunday to early next week. Best bets: Mammoth (late Friday or early Saturday), Crystal Mtn northward to Mt Baker in Washington (Thursday-Friday), Schweitzer, Silver Mtn, Steamboat, Sleeping Giant (weekend).
East/Midwest: A nor’easter will bring significant snowfall, generally 6+ inches for the northeast Wednesday-Thursday. New snow will stretch from West Virginia all the way to Maine, with the “sweet spot” likely in the Berkshires of Mass to southern Maine where locally a foot of snow will likely fall. The track of this storm will likely bring heaviest snow to the I-95 corridor, so travel may be a little tough to make a long trip to the ski areas during the storm if you don’t live nearby. This storm will be quick, with the last of the snow wrapping up within 24 hours, done for all by Thursday evening. Calm conditions Friday will keep conditions pleasant (I’d recommend earlier in the day to get the freshest snow before it gets skied off).
Another light shot of snow dips over the Midwest/Great Lakes Friday, and toward New England Saturday. Weather models do show another larger storm brewing for the Northeast/New England Sunday into Monday (Feb 12-13), but the track of it may bring mixed precip and not all snow with that, so keep an eye to the forecast specifics closer in time to pick your best window. Best Bets: Jiminy Peak , Mount Snow, Stratton, Mount Sunapee (Thursday-Friday).
Canada: A steady plume of moisture keeps the snow falling across Western Canada, especially Thursday and Friday. Conditions will be excellent (and goggles essential) for most mountains in British Columbia and Alberta to finish the week. In the East, a clipper system brings light snow amounts to the slopes beginning Friday and tapering off through early Saturday morning. Another storm will develop early next week and while the Northeast U.S. may see rain mix in, many Quebec ski areas will see great conditions and new snow. Keep an eye on the forecast for exact amounts closer to the storm. Best bets: Lake Louise, Whistler, Grouse, Big White (Friday or Saturday)
'Til next week's SnoCast, enjoy these amazing conditions. As always, a shout out and thanks to Lyndon State College students Amanda Stone, Christopher Kurdek, and Scott Myerson for their weekly contributions and forecasts for SnoCast.
The Thunderstruck lift at Timberline Four Seasons Resort in West Virginia malfunctioned Saturday with about 200 people on it, according to reports on WOWK-TV. Nine people were injured. Resort officials said everyone was taken to safety within two hours of the accident.
After a December in the mid-Atlantic that many would like to pretend didn’t happen, Winter Storm Jonas is looking to bring smiles to skiers in the region Friday and Saturday.
Cold weather and turning lifts are on the list of what skiers and riders are thankful for this time of year, and the Northeast’s resorts are showing their gratitude by offering deals and events that will make sliding on snow much more appealing than standing in line at the mall.
