Wasatch Update: November 2025

[BenedictGomez]

Snowbasin has a similar altitude like DV and has been boilerplate. I like it, it keeps the crowds down......What do western skiers and the Titanic have in common? ....
They both go down when they hit ice.

Accurate. People from here have no idea.

So many times I'll hear the native born say, "it's terrible", and I'm thinking, this would actually be pretty decent in Vermont. LOL

 

[thetrailboss]

Snowbasin has a similar altitude like DV and has been boilerplate. I like it, it keeps the crowds down......What do western skiers and the Titanic have in common? ....
They both go down when they hit ice.

It's not ice because there are no fish within it......

 

[KBL Ed]

Who does everyone use for forecasts? There is a guy for N.E., Snowology, who does a really good job. Any reliable people who actually know the mountains, and is not forecasting just for "Park City" or whatever?

 

[jimmywilson69]

Snowology... that guy is a certified hack

 

[thetrailboss]

Who does everyone use for forecasts? There is a guy for N.E., Snowology, who does a really good job. Any reliable people who actually know the mountains, and is not forecasting just for "Park City" or whatever?

Personally, I just read the NWS/NOAA forecasts. This product is specifically for the Cottonwoods:

Avalanche Weather Information

Click "Salt Lake Area" if you do not see a forecast for the Cottonwoods.

I also read this blog, but Jim has not been posting as often:

Wasatch Weather Weenies

Mountain Meteorology and Snow Snobbery

wasatchweatherweenies.blogspot.com

Finally, some folks read Evan's site, but most of the information is behind a paywall:

Getting Closer to the Action | Utah Daily Snow Forecast | OpenSnow

High pressure continues to keep Utah dry and mild for a few more days before we finally see the ridge flatten midweek,...

opensnow.com

And then some folks go for the alternative forecast, which is Powder Buoy. He has been striking out though this season and his site is kind of messy. I think he usually posts on social media.

Powder Buoy - Connecting Ski Soul Riders From Hawaii To The Rockies

Based on the distance of the buoy and the average speed and direction of the storm, we will generally get hit with that same low pressure about two weeks later. Plan your powder flu two weeks in advance for snow skiers (Utah, Colorado, Jackson)

powderbuoy.com

 

[KBL Ed]

Snowology: If by "hack" you mean he constantly shills his paywalled site, you are absolutely correct. But his forecasts have been on point.

Yeah, I used to like OpenSnow when less of it was behind a paywall.

Good idea to click on a point at elevation at NWS, though that still won't have the human interpretation. I'll look and see if they have something more general for the Park City areas. I'll check the other ones, too. Thanks.

 

[thetrailboss]

 

[BenedictGomez]

I bought fat powder skis preseason.

This is all my fault.

 

[Edd]

I bought fat powder skis preseason.

This is all my fault.

What’d you get? I want new pow boards but lacking inspiration with choosing.

 

[BenedictGomez]

What’d you get? I want new pow boards but lacking inspiration with choosing.

I got a the fattest Bacons (122 underfoot) that Line makes. My in-season skis are 106 underfoot (Soul 7), but when we get a really great dump it's just not enough. It's not a huge deal, but after living out here the last 2 winters I did wish I had something fat for those 12"+, 15"+, 20"+ days and cycles, but since I ski Park City and not Alta/Bird, we get far fewer 12"+ days, so I didnt want to spend a lot and so was looking used. Visited the places outside the Cottonwoods figuring I'd find more used powder skis there than maybe anywhere on the planet, and I was right, but they still wanted like $450 - $650 even well-used. Then I found these in SLC on clearance at EVO as the only 2 pairs from prior year they had on clearance for $320, and a different shop across the street I got a straggler set of bindings for $99. So for $450 new total I was fine with it given the skis alone should be $900 or so.

Then the S/Force pictured I just go too because my new boots I got last year don't fit my rock skis. Went into the local shop we go to and the guy gave me 3 or 4 narrow options underfoot and told me to take any one I want for $150. SOLD! They're actually in great shape for being 4 year old rentals, which makes me think most people don't want to rent 80 underfoot rentals.