NWS 2016 / 2017 Winter forecast!

[dlague]

January has been pretty bad, but it could have been worse. Mountains have got enough refills (including this last storm) to keep them mostly viable... or at least keeping the base from completely evaporating due to the relative warmth. 5 inches of dense snow is what most mountains needed right now to set us up with a reasonable base to build upon for what we hope and expect is the return of winter any day now.

We were doing better in December when it was cold and lake effect snow was doing it's thing and mountains were getting surprise dumps. We didn't get a blow torch like last year but that was a longish thaw and the rain and fog didn't help, mostly by causing mediocre skiing conditions even when there was plenty of snow.

Peak of the season so far is 2 last weeks of December and 1st week of January.

BTW this is the point in the season I flip from optimist to realist. Better to set myself up to be pleasantly surprised once again, right?

A former co-worker back east was at Loon and said the snow was melting quickly. He noticed several this spots on trails which is not good for extending the season. Cross fingers that February and March are good snow months.

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[deadheadskier]

At least at Wildcat, Ive enjoyed January more than December. December had double the natural snowfall, but the snow we've gotten in January has been more useful as the mountain maintained a lot of the base it built in December, so terrain options have been better. We didn't get hit with a lot of crushing events other areas have. Mountain has been basically 95% open the past three weeks both on and off map and outside of MLK weekend the skiing surfaces have been pretty good. Overall I feel pretty lucky

I know things have been poor in Southern New England and Northern VT hasn't gotten the same dumps as early season.

Really as long as it stays cold, 6-8" a week (more would obviously be great) through middle of March is all that's needed to make for a respectable peak season and a promising spring.



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[BenedictGomez]

 

[4aprice]

This is where we get the rain to snow scenario as the cold spills in. Think the weekend has a very promising look to it and the "spine" might do well (very well north, but good the entire length).

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[dlague]

Meanwhile in Colorado - don't quit on me now!

 

[BenedictGomez]

This is where we get the rain to snow scenario as the cold spills in. Think the weekend has a very promising look to it and the "spine" might do well (very well north, but good the entire length).

No rAin with elevation. This is why I'm taking tomorrow off and am
en route to n.VT. I believe this will outperForm expectations and catch people by surprise.

 

[Tin]

Seriously, I bet stowe north gets 18+ by Sunday, they are probably already around 4" from this afternoon.

 

[benski]

How do Gore and Whiteface fare with the lake effect snow? I am probably going to Snow Ridge but those are two mountain I want to try out also.

 

[Tin]

How do Gore and Whiteface fare with the lake effect snow? I am probably going to Snow Ridge but those are two mountain I want to try out also.

Everywhere is going to be great. I would go to Tug though, just for the chance of 3'+ lol.

 

[benski]

Everywhere is going to be great. I would go to Tug though, just for the chance of 3'+ lol.

Would be a lot easier if you were in Binghamton.

 

[benski]

Everywhere is going to be great. I would go to Tug though, just for the chance of 3'+ lol.

That was was part curious and part plan b. I think snow ridge should fall into place pretty easily. Maybe I can pull off both but that would be difficult.

 

[snoseek]

Looks like a nice refresher which is good because we need it.

It also looks as the cold is going to stay put. All we need now is a good widespread snowstorm but I don't see a whole lot in the forecast (for NH anyhow).

Maybe time for some snowgun action

 

[mriceyman]

Next weekend into early next week chance for a storm


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[albert a ripper]

clipper coming through tuesday night into wednesday. then possible snow event next sunday into monday. cross your fingers!

 

[BenedictGomez]

Well that was freaking fantastic. Must have been over 2 feet at Jay Peak in less than a 48 hour period. Visibility was poor yesterday up top, but the trees were loaded with snow. Wish I didnt have to come home.

 

[fbrissette]

Well that was freaking fantastic. Must have been over 2 feet at Jay Peak in less than a 48 hour period. Visibility was poor yesterday up top, but the trees were loaded with snow. Wish I didnt have to come home.

Epic week-end. Saturday was heaven. Hit Big Jay Sunday morning with bottomless lines.

To those who care about Jay Peak, just learned that all West Bowl plans have officially been cancelled by LHR (big surprise...). They now plan to operate the resort for another 2 years to increase profits. Expect a sale in Spring 2019.

 

[BenedictGomez]

^ Was it a Canadian school vacation week? Lines Sunday were worse than normal and there seemed to be abnormal numbers of Quebecois. I didn't get there that late, and I had to park at the golf course clubhouse, where I've never parked before. Then I noticed at about 1pm they posted on FB to not come up due to lack of parking (which seemed odd, because not many people come up after 1pm, and if you do I'm sure you could probably find parking given some folks leave after lunch).

 

[bdfreetuna]

Only lines I waited in Sunday were for the Jet. Maybe at the Flyer I had to wait 3-4 chairs once or twice. Bonnie usually was ski on. Didn't take the tram though. Didn't seem to notice more canucks than usual either (as in, there are always lot of canucks there).

Parking was not an issue as I arrived in time for first chair.

Were you taking the tram a lot BenedictGomez?

 

[fbrissette]

^ Was it a Canadian school vacation week? Lines Sunday were worse than normal and there seemed to be abnormal numbers of Quebecois. I didn't get there that late, and I had to park at the golf course clubhouse, where I've never parked before. Then I noticed at about 1pm they posted on FB to not come up due to lack of parking (which seemed odd, because not many people come up after 1pm, and if you do I'm sure you could probably find parking given some folks leave after lunch).

No Quebec holiday this past week-end. Lots of day trippers since this was by far the best snow close to Montreal.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Were you taking the tram a lot BenedictGomez?

Never. The last time I took the tram was in I believe the 2013/14 ski season! I'd take it occasionally if not for the fact I only ski Jay on weekends, and the tram on weekends = death. It was busy though; the line for the Flyer was up the hill before lunch, and the Tram line was pretty crazy. All of Jay's overflow parking lots (5 I think?) were filled, so it was definitely a busy day. The fact they posted to Facebook telling people to please not come up for the afternoon is pretty telling.