The snowpack half empty or half full: You decide

 The latest figures for snowfall puts 200" or half our typically 400" seasonal snowfall at the summit. I am sure on their storm boards this is correct. However, as most skiers know, storm boards don't tell the entire story. They are normally set up in the most protected leeward locations in the trees where lots of snow tends to blow in and lay deep and shaded till spring. That 200" sounds pretty good when you think about it considering how meager meaningful snow has really been. 

But hey, take a look around. The fact is we have virtually no low elevation show and the mid altitudes are meager at best. The snowfall on South sides is mostly non-existent as anyone who has been out in Manzanita Bowl lately can tell you They are one sunny week away from being bare boned. Even the snowpack on North aspects is nothing to brag about: The Chutes are a case in point.  Just look at the bottom of your skis and my point will be proven. The fact is we have had a very poor year and the snowpack in anywhere but the snowiest of places is pretty darn thin. This cold March and series of inside sliders have keep at least a few inches coming per storm which has also helped us and has kept us from an early melt out. With High Pressure and Spring headed our way and forecasters touting warmer and drier spring weather than normal, we can probably expect snow to disappear pretty quickly once it does finally warm up.

My point is... look around, its pretty barren in a lot of places on the mountain and we are at the point in the year when we normally have the deepest snowpack. Just check out these two pics... the first one taken in 2017, the last one taken this year from just about the same spot on the Zephyr traverse on about the same day. Yes 2017 was a monster but hey, it is almost barren under that same sign now. The upshot, ski while you can because a long and mostly hot summer is just around the corner!

Sven




Comments

  1. LTLMarch 26, 2021 at 8:56 PM

    Hey Sven,

    Any truth to the rumor that Rose is shutting down on April 18th? I've seen them stay open longer with less snow in past years? Gotta call it like I see it, their product sucked this year. They delayed their opening as long as they could, slashed lift capacity from 6 to 2 riders, a 60% lessening in lift capacity resulting in giant lines, and now closing as early as possible? WTF! It's been worth driving past Rose over to Alpine for most of the winter. And that ridiculous double down pass that was priced at $900+? Bet that was a big seller, NOT! Asking myself if the convenience of a Rose pass (the only thing they really have to offer) is worth the inevitable increase in cost? Not seeing any added benefit to justify it or buying a pass next season.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Season Winds Down with a Bang & a Whimper...

Image
Lots of BBQ's, beer wagons and costumed patrons led to a great last day of the season at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. Many closing days have been less than extraordinary with frozen crust, snow or high winds. Today was the exeption. Although there was some wind at the top it didn't amount to much and the snow softened quickly with temps in the 50's. The Chutes almost didn't open. Understaffed, the lift department just didn't have enough liftees... in stepped Mikyla (pictured below) a ski patrol rookie who volunteered to run The Chuter Unload... thanks to Patrol for making The Chutes happen the last day. They were absolutely sublime with all gates East of El Cap open. One could also downhill traverse over to El Cap which was the best I've seen it sans pow in many years. Pic is of Naia Selby ripping down it like it was a groomer. I can say with confidence The Chutes were absolutely stunning today and so forgiving that even I felt pretty good dancing with gravity. Groomer
Read more

The Rose Legion of Honor (Part 1)

Image
There are those that do their job and then there are those who rise above their position description and become an exceptional employee and host to the area. Come along and meet some of the exceptional staff who have proven themselves once more as those that go above and beyond and make Mt. Rose Ski Area a special place. Some of these folks are up front who you see all the time while others are in the background working to make things better behind the scenes every day and night. Lets start with Ted... he has been grooming for years and his experience and stoke to provide perfect cord for the public makes him our number one choice from the grooming department Next up is Darja from the Food and Beverage Department. Darja is one of the most positive and wonderful people one could ever meet in the lodge. If you haven't met her yet, this last weekend is the time. Make it your mission. She can probably be found cashiering. She is seen here with our very own 98 year old Raymond Josep
Read more

The Chutes... 45 days on

Image
On Saturday a kid in the Skytavern Junior Ski Program took the Oblivion Express into a tree on the Cut Throat run in the The Chutes at the Mt. Rose Ski Area. He ended up in the ICU but is expected to fully recover.  The results could have been much worse.  Most of us are tired of seeing patrol rescues, ambulances and Careflight rides resulting from skiing or boarding and then losing control in The Chutes the last five weeks. This post addresses where we currently are in The Chutes in an effort to minimize future accidents and point out that you are putting more than yourself at risk when you ski beyond our ability.  Occasionally I get asked "Why are The Chutes still closed?" or, less occasionally, "Why are The Chutes still open?". My stock answer is something about snow safety, patroller safety, the time it takes to open complex terrain or the neglected skill of skiing within one's ability etc. And I only hear the question a 10,000th of the times patrol hears it
Read more