Is this sick or what???????????

[Bumpsis]

So we have been enjoying decent ski conditions here in the east but if you want to get some real powder start packing up and catch a flight out to Lake Tahoe.
They are about to get hit by a monster storm which is likely to drop 7-10 feet of snow.

This is from CNN:

"The state is expecting a powerful series of storms that could produce blizzard conditions in the higher elevations of the Sierra, with wind gusts of more than 100 mph and 8 to 10 feet of snow forecast at above 7,000 feet," a news release from Schwarzenegger's office said.

Now, that's what I call epic!

[millerm277]

Check this out....http://www.snowforecast.com/californ.../kirkwood.html

It predicted 50-58in of snow today, we'll find out tomorrow how close it was.

[basemoto]

that sounds like a joke.....but it isnt. Thats an incredible amount of snow! Is that amount of fresh powder even skiable?

[kingslug]

Posted the same thing but got moved to NE weather??????????? This is a storm of the century!!!!!!!! And I just have to get there!

[kingslug]

Must get there!
Must get there!
Must get there!

[andyzee]

Originally Posted by kingslug

Posted the same thing but got moved to NE weather??????????? This is a storm of the century!!!!!!!! And I just have to get there!

Today's conditions at Kirkwood, they got too much (48-60"), and will open trails as they groom them..

http://www.kirkwood.com/winter/conditions.php

[wa-loaf]

Originally Posted by basemoto

that sounds like a joke.....but it isnt. Thats an incredible amount of snow! Is that amount of fresh powder even skiable?

The Sierras get these kind of storms pretty regularly. I think ten feet is definitely on the high side but 5-6 feet in a storm is not that unusual. It's this kind of stuff that got the Donner Party in trouble.

[ta&idaho]

Originally Posted by wa-loaf

The Sierras get these kind of storms pretty regularly. I think ten feet is definitely on the high side but 5-6 feet in a storm is not that unusual. It's this kind of stuff that got the Donner Party in trouble.

Wa-loaf's post is definitely accurate. In a typical year, it dumps several feet every week or two, and then it is mostly blue skis and fairly warm temps the rest of the time. The difficulty is timing. The locals are set, but it can be tricky to make it from places like San Francisco and catch the goods (especially given that the passes close and/or get really backed up at the chain-on points).

Fortunately you learn to enjoy both the deep powder days (which get skied off quickly at the major mountains, which is why you hear people talking up random places like Mt. Rose and Homewood) and the 50+-and-sunny days.

[kingslug]

Doesn't look like I can cancel my BC trip to make way for this...too bad.

[wa-loaf]

Originally Posted by kingslug

Doesn't look like I can cancel my BC trip to make way for this...too bad.

Don't bother, unless you're there while it's happening, it'll set up as sierra cement after the storm. Like Ta&Idaho said, they get big dumps and then a week or so of 50 degree days. Most of the time it's spring like skiing out there all season. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just not worth chasing if you are looking for deep powder.