Featured Picture: Gabe Rovick
Presidents’ Day Weekend is on our doorstep. Whereas many might be migrating to their native peaks, you aren’t one of many lots. You’re right here since you need to chase the storm and discover the deepest turns when you can, and expensive reader, the forecast seems rattling good for you. Arctic air is descending from the north, lastly. These storms are bringing a lot of snow from Vermont to California.
However the place to go? Some areas appear promising, however rising temps and excessive winds later within the weekend may diminish deep landings and rob lasting freshies from the replenished snowpacks. That’s why we put collectively FREESKIER’s Prime 10 Resort Forecasts for President’s Day Weekend. Ranked on a number of components, together with potential wind, temperature, anticipated openings post-storm and, after all, total snow forecast—these are our high 10 resorts to chase snow at this vacation weekend.
Editor’s Notice: We’ve solely included ski areas within the continental US. Alaska will definitely be getting their fair proportion of snow for the following 10 days. In the event you’ve obtained the greenback and the willpower, we advise you e-book a flight!
All forecast predictions are courtesy of Open Snow
For our buddies out east, Stowe is our decide for this weekend and the following 10 days. The ski space has seen over 220 inches of snow this winter, and after a stellar January in Vermont and up to date chilly temps, the Inexperienced Mountains are crammed in and snowboarding nicely. Brace for Sunday and Monday (2/16-2/17) as Stowe is anticipating 4-8 inches of snow through the day and an extra 3-5 inches in a single day. Temps will rise barely on Thursday morning, with a right away drop all the way down to 7 °F by Friday morning.
At quantity 9, we have now the Wydaho legend, Grand Targhee. The Ghee is projected to get snow from Thursday, 2/13 to Thursday, 2/20, with the majority of the storm hitting on Friday night time and coming again robust on Monday. Winds ought to keep beneath 30 mph, with temps being very manageable and never dipping beneath 12 °F. Targhee boasts plenty of flowy terrain (demonstrated by Corey Jackson beneath). This, mixed with a top-notch ski patrol, permits them to open a wide range of terrain even after massive storms. Count on over 20 inches by this Sunday, with one other storm coming in on Monday.
Silverton is not like every other resort on the planet, however you knew that already. The Southern Colorado massive mountain mecca, nestled within the San Juan mountains, has been having a terrific yr, with alpine terrain snowboarding nicely. The mountain is in its “Guided Snowboarding” season, which means it’s a must to e-book your spot to have a information and experience the elevate. A beacon, shovel and probe are all required and will be rented.
With the storm arriving later this week, heli operations will probably be a no go, so we suggest securing your guided spot when you can. The San Juan Mountains are taking a look at over 25 inches of snow this weekend, with extra on the best way. The mountain’s one elevate is barely operating Thursday – Sunday, excluding this coming Monday throughout Presidents’ Day Weekend. A visit to Silverton is a surefire technique to safe contemporary tracks and keep away from the crows, so hold it in your record!
One of many lesser identified stops on our record, China Peak is in for a giant weekend. The ski space sits simply Northeast of Fresno, and can normally see a storm like this a couple of times a winter. A blast of chilly air combines with excessive winds and heavy precipitation to create a Sierra Nevada dream. China Peak is anticipated to obtain 60 inches of snow by Saturday, with the bulk falling on Thursday and Friday.
With storm totals like that, you’ll anticipate China Peak to be on the high of our record. Nevertheless, excessive winds and quickly warming temperatures are more likely to form this snow into variable circumstances. Winds are anticipated to achieve 45 mph Thursday morning and temps might be hovering round 40° F later within the weekend. Nonetheless, you would possibly simply rating some in the event you time it proper. In the event you’re within the space, make the journey. However in the event you’re looking for the cream of the crop, hold studying.
Out of the 4 Aspen Snowmass mountains, Highlands is our decide for the vacation. The Roaring Fork Valley has seen unseasonably heat temperatures within the weeks following final month’s X Video games Aspen. However winter is again, and the Highland’s devoted skiers are absolutely fired up. The mountain is notoriously steep and considered one of FREESKIER’s favourite spots on a pow day. Lap the Temerity chairlift to rack up the vert or begin mountain climbing as soon as the Highlands Bowl is open.
The ski space is taking a look at strong snow over the following 10 days. The storm will hit Wednesday night, with nearly 20 inches anticipated by means of the weekend. Friday and Saturday must be snowboarding outrageously nicely. Low winds, 20° F temps, constant snow and the long-lasting terrain make Aspen Highlands a wonderful cease over the following two weeks.
At our halfway level we have now the one and solely Alta Ski Space in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon. What can we are saying? We’re a sucker for the classics. Alta’s earlier seasons have made this years snowfall appear to be chump change. However in actuality, the resort is snowboarding nice and (practically) open wall to wall. For a ski space that options terrain that’s very difficult to patrol and mitigate avy danger, it is a massive accomplishment.
Alta’s forecast seems nice for the weekend, with nicely over two ft anticipated. The storm will roll in Thursday morning, with the majority of the precipitation and excessive winds hitting that night time. This could give the high quality people at UDOT time to handle the roads earlier than the weekend as patrol secures the mountain. Friday must be unreal storm snowboarding, and the street will probably shut. In the event you can spend the night time at a good friend’s home up within the city of Alta or get a room on the well-known Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge, we extremely suggest it.
Pow Mow is coming off a scorching streak with chilly climate returning to Utah. The resort has made it identified that they’re an escape from the dreaded Cottonwood Canyons purple snake, AKA the immense visitors that may pile up in Little Cottonwood and Huge Cottonwood canyons. Low (ish) winds round 30 mph and over 20 inches of snow between Thursday and Friday ought to have Pow Mow snowboarding nicely with out the crowds.
Whereas the resort doesn’t boast the identical steeps because it’s neighbors at Alta, Snowbird or Solitude, the flowy terrain will be a great deal of enjoyable when circumstances align… which it seems like they’re!
The Butte makes the rostrum, coming in at third place. We love Crested Butte for a wide range of causes. The steep terrain is all the time electrical, even when circumstances are agency and the snow is chalky. Some would argue it’s even higher that manner, however at FREESKIER, we’ll take a pow day anytime, anyplace.
Snow has already arrived in Southern Colorado, however Crested Butte received’t see nearly all of the storm till Thursday night time. Nicely over two ft of snow are doable by Saturday morning, and whenever you consider very low winds and temps round 20°F, we predict you’ll agree that CB is a top-tier choice for any skier following Ullr’s path this weekend.
Champagne powder during the last 5 days, 30 inches projected by Sunday, low wind, chilly temps and Steamboat’s surfy terrain places The Boat at our quantity two spot. Steamboat has an eclectic mixture of tree snowboarding and lengthy mogul runs which might be subsequent to not possible to beat on a pow day. In the event you’re cruising by means of ft of contemporary snow, bouncing off filled-in mogul fields or ripping by means of steep glades and NOT having enjoyable, you’ve come to the improper place.
Steamboat is taking a look at mid-20° F temperatures over the following few days, excluding a chilly Wednesday. Between Thursday night time and Friday morning, the resort is anticipating practically 20 inches of snow, with extra coming. In the event you’ve been awaiting an indication to stray from the I-70 hall, that is your cue.
Touted because the catcher’s mitt of Colorado, Wolf Creek usually sees snow totals the remainder of the state solely desires of. It’s a righteous pilgrimage any freeskier ought to make at the least as soon as of their life. Sandwiched within the San Juan mountains between Del Norte and Pagosa Springs, it doesn’t have the identical vertical as close by Telluride or Silverton, however it boasts extra snow and fewer crowds.
Wolf Creek goes to get blasted on Thursday and Friday, with over two ft anticipated between the 2 days. Thirty-five mph winds on Friday will undoubtedly create wind loading and avalanche hazard, so be ready. The resort is on the southern finish of Colorado, fairly a haul from nearly anyplace. However once we say it’s value it, we imply it’s value it.
FREESKIER Professional Tip: Crash on the iconic Windsor Resort in Del Norte. The old-school inn is undeniably charming and can present any touring ski bum a great time.
