Settled snow depth of 165"

[RISkier]

That's what's being reported at Alta today. Only 3" in the last 24 hours but well over 600" for theyear. Conditions were amazing when we were there in March, and the reported settled snow depth was only about 150" or so. Guess we went at the wrong time. Unfortunately, another trip is not in the cards this year. But a boy can dream, can't he?

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Wow..and back in February I was toying with the idea of a long weekend skiing Alta/Snowbird right around this time...after my recent Stowe trip I need more $$$$$ so no out west skiing for me until next season but Utah is high on my list and I have $250 to use on United by January 20th..

 

[AdironRider]

Tell me about it. Jackson closed ... thats right closed for the season ... with a 135" settled base and over 600" total snowfall as well. Lines are being skied here that havent in decades. Still snowing as well.

Alta also kind of inflated their snowreports as well, reporting a 60 some odd inch dump at the beginning of October that completely melted away before winter really came. Im all for resorts reporting snowfall totals prior to opening if it actually contributes to the winter snowpack, but that report from October was pretty lame.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Tell me about it. Jackson closed ... thats right closed for the season ... with a 135" settled base and over 600" total snowfall as well. Lines are being skied here that havent in decades. Still snowing as well.

Alta also kind of inflated their snowreports as well, reporting a 60 some odd inch dump at the beginning of October that completely melted away before winter really came. Im all for resorts reporting snowfall totals prior to opening if it actually contributes to the winter snowpack, but that report from October was pretty lame.

You should take a roadtrip down to Utah...and snow that falls in October still counts as part of the annual snowfall total..

 

[AdironRider]

Im actually bypassing a trip to Utah and instead hitting up the Summit Country resorts (ABasin specifially) on my cross country drive home. Im still staying out here for a couple years more but I have a Great Dane that no airline will really let fly on a plane, which sucks to make me drive cross country round trip for a month visit back home. Anyway thats another story.

Plus Colorado is supposedly the real king of spring skiing, Ive got free places to stay in Denver, Avon, and Boulder, and its more on the way home.

 

[marcski]

Im actually bypassing a trip to Utah and instead hitting up the Summit Country resorts (ABasin specifially) on my cross country drive home. Im still staying out here for a couple years more but I have a Great Dane that no airline will really let fly on a plane, which sucks to make me drive cross country round trip for a month visit back home. Anyway thats another story.

Plus Colorado is supposedly the real king of spring skiing, Ive got free places to stay in Denver, Avon, and Boulder, and its more on the way home.

The 'Bird is going to at least Memorial Day this year. I was out there 10 days ago....Amazing how good it still is!

 

[redalienx11]

i was skiing waist deep at the bird 2 hours ago. faceshots every turn. come get it while it lasts

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Tell me about it. Jackson closed ... thats right closed for the season ... with a 135" settled base and over 600" total snowfall as well. Lines are being skied here that havent in decades. Still snowing as well.

Alta also kind of inflated their snowreports as well, reporting a 60 some odd inch dump at the beginning of October that completely melted away before winter really came. Im all for resorts reporting snowfall totals prior to opening if it actually contributes to the winter snowpack, but that report from October was pretty lame.

JH has closed in the beginning of April since the first season it opened....now is the time to hit Teton Pass...it's sweet in the spring.

 

[AdironRider]

Apparently Jackson stayed open an extra week in the mid 90's but nobody came. What a waste. Ive already spent two days on the pass, but not going to lie, I prefer lift served. Hitting Targhee this weekend for their closing.

 

[kcyanks1]

Apparently Jackson stayed open an extra week in the mid 90's but nobody came. What a waste. Ive already spent two days on the pass, but not going to lie, I prefer lift served. Hitting Targhee this weekend for their closing.

I thought Jackson has to close because of the terms of their lease. I don't think they could extend the season even if they wanted to.

 

[AdironRider]

They make you think that, but the lease terms are contingent upon the elk migration here. However, the elk cannot migrate until the snow melts to a certain degree. Basically they could talk to forest service and make arrangements to extend it a week or three, but the mtn has no desire to as they would only be open for passholders. There are literally next to no day trippers making treks here that arent immediate locals. The resort relies almost entirely on vacationers or extended stay visits, even during midwinter. No vacationers means no money coming in, means corporate JHMR shuts down regardless of snow conditions. Its snowed ten inches since the mtn closed on Sunday, a couple inches everyday. Base is 130+. Rediculous.

Cliffs notes: Could extend lease but mtn wouldnt make any money, so it never happens.

 

[kcyanks1]

They make you think that, but the lease terms are contingent upon the elk migration here. However, the elk cannot migrate until the snow melts to a certain degree. Basically they could talk to forest service and make arrangements to extend it a week or three, but the mtn has no desire to as they would only be open for passholders. There are literally next to no day trippers making treks here that arent immediate locals. The resort relies almost entirely on vacationers or extended stay visits, even during midwinter. No vacationers means no money coming in, means corporate JHMR shuts down regardless of snow conditions. Its snowed ten inches since the mtn closed on Sunday, a couple inches everyday. Base is 130+. Rediculous.

Cliffs notes: Could extend lease but mtn wouldnt make any money, so it never happens.

Interesting, didn't know all of that. It is tougher for a resort that relies on a vacation crowd to make last minute changes, because everyone who plans vacations does so based on the posted open-close dates. If I hadn't just taken a vacation to go their in March, I'd be happy to do so in April...but no way I'd be making those plans when I think they'll be closed!

 

[AdironRider]

Exactly. Unlike the Colorado, Utah, PNW, and eastern resorts which all have major metropolitan areas, Jackson doesnt have a large local population base to keep early and late season visits up. You shouldve seen the mtn in January. 150+ inches of snowfall that month and pretty much not a soul there.

 

[ccskier]

Another 11'' at Alta. Never stops. Are they the Jay of the east when reporting? I was there a few weeks ago and they do get a lot of snow.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Exactly. Unlike the Colorado, Utah, PNW, and eastern resorts which all have major metropolitan areas, Jackson doesnt have a large local population base to keep early and late season visits up. You shouldve seen the mtn in January. 150+ inches of snowfall that month and pretty much not a soul there.

January is my favorite time in Jackson Hole and even on the huge powder days...the crowds thin out quick because alot of the locals head str8 to the backcountry or have to go to work after a few runs..