Welcome... Again!
This is the year's El Niño is being hyped as at least strong and possibly very strong. The temperature anomaly this last week surpassed that of 1997. It is the Godzilla El Niño.
Some El Niño links September El nino update NOAA's El Nino portal
Just like last year, if you have suggestions, links, find bugs, or random thoughts let it flow. Hopefully this can become a useful tool that will only get better next year!
*** Those who are interested can pour over the maps below, or you can get the NOAA Radio version of the weather forecast while you pinch your morning loaf! *** ~guermo~
MesoWest Station Interface - (data varies by sensor but may include precipitation accumulated; snow water in; Max & min - wind speed, wind gust, temp; etc.) Nearby Stations (Sensors - usually hourly readings) by radius Univ UT Dept Meteorology (50 mile radius from Squaw Valley, choose preferred Region & then Product - Station Locations, select station from map & then select Nearby Stations)
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/rev/avalanche/
When the "Forecasts" tab is open, click "Snow Level Forecasts." Really cool charts that show whether the snow level is likely to dip below the passes (or lifts or trailheads) in the near future. ~LightRanger~
I apologize I have been away for four years, it has been too long. Looks like I will be back for most of the month of March. The snow will return this year.
Edited for Big Grizzly in South Lake
Well worth the click if you did not catch it over on unofficial
Maybe if there's an actual snow pack to study I can finally get my AIARE 1. I've been wanting to do it for four years now... should have back in 2011 when I had the chance.
09-18-2015, 02:33 PM
Ottime
Warm in Santa Cruz pockets today. Gonna get hot this weekend with the local mountains aiming for 99 this Sunday. Not really feeling like snow weather. One final last summer blast. Gulf of Alaska is getting active. I predict hot to warm through first week of November, followed by a 3-4-5' dump of cement with a thin layer of cream cheese frosting and a dusting if powdered sugar. Old school style switch. For now, I'm waiting for some surf.
Maybe if there's an actual snow pack to study I can finally get my AIARE 1. I've been wanting to do it for four years now... should have back in 2011 when I had the chance.
Im in the same boat.
09-18-2015, 05:30 PM
LightRanger
Quote:
Originally Posted by aevergreene
Im in the same boat.
PM digitaldeath. He's the Avy I expert on the forum. He'll get you set up.
more blathering for blathering thread.
Who's going to South Lake Avy Workshop? Sold out last year, bigger venue this year.
I don't know who's presenting yet, will post up if I get details.
I think it's the year of the bukake dragon, but the voices in my head are still talking it over. Props to PD. Thank goodness still enough brain cells around to Ctrl-C/V.
Shall we start a pool for guessing the date of the first 12"+ deposit, to be measured at Donner Summit Snow Lab?
PM me your guesses and I'll put together a calendar. I'm thinking bragging rights, but you may be able to leverage those into a beer with a bit of braggadocio. Gotta know the art of the deal.
Nice to have the 15-16 thread up. Beverages by that top right sponsor at the conclusion of the workshop presentations. You can get tickets at: www.ltccconnect.com
Click on the A-Z index and scroll down.
09-22-2015, 12:42 AM
JAREDS
STOKED!
1. I humbly request we change the name of the thread or do I gotta see GODZILLA BABY JESUS concerned it will get old esp of we have a shit year
2. ONG that bear
3. We have a couple spots for a ski house in alpine meadows, families w kids in either 2nd grade-ish or early teen-ish would be the best fit. Just off the main road in that development w two entrances (elk canyon? Can't remember name).
09-22-2015, 03:06 PM
The Dad
Quote:
Originally Posted by lepistoir
Shall we start a pool for guessing the date of the first 12"+ deposit, to be measured at Donner Summit Snow Lab?
I dunno -- when's your mom/wife/gf planning to be there? :fm:
(Someone had to do it.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by JAREDS
3. We have a couple spots for a ski house in alpine meadows, families w kids in either 2nd grade-ish or early teen-ish would be the best fit. Just off the main road in that development w two entrances (elk canyon? Can't remember name).
You're presumably talking about Bear Creek. But there are three entrances. (Pro tip: The number of reflectors on the sign posts will help you find the one you're looking for when driving in the dark.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by powdork
Welcome... Again!
Please don't take this the wrong way, but I know I'm not the only one hoping for more pow and less dork this year.
09-22-2015, 06:02 PM
Dhelihiker
I wanted a Sugarwood pass this year but they said its no longer available. I bought full price passes to both mountains, so f- you corporate America, you cant stop me. ha ha
09-22-2015, 06:16 PM
teledad
I think the Sugarwood pass has been gone for something like 10 years ... unless you mean the new SB/Woodward combo (guessing not from "both mountains").
Whats the deal on buying passes around here? Spent 6 years riding in Colorado and now I'm in the bay area for the winter. I know I can be EPIC! with vail again, but not sure I want to ski N* or Heavenly, but Kirkwood might be fun. Or should I just stick with the split board and bet that I won't want to ride lifts?
09-22-2015, 08:49 PM
TahoeJ
Ever heard of Squaw? Alpine Meadows? Gold Tahoe Super Pass gets you 4 days at Sugar Bowl and Sierra too - or you can just get a pass at SB and get some days at Squawlpine. But yeah, I don't think anyone in this thread is going to tell you Kirkwood sucks. Actually, they might.
Can't go wrong - any of those options is better than most of Colorado (talking I-70, not CB or Telluride... or I guess Aspen).
09-22-2015, 09:23 PM
digitaldeath
Sexy thread title
09-22-2015, 09:57 PM
LightRanger
If KW was still independent and the SugarWood pass was still around they would sell a fuckload of them, including to me.
Edgnar, for BA skiers it's generally Epic Pass, Squalpine pass (with SB and Sierra days), SB (with Squalpine days), or perhaps Kirkwood only unrestricted (assuming they haven't gotten rid of it). Or Mountain Collective (paid for between the days at Squalpine and Mammoth alone, plus Taos because... The Nino) and skins.
09-23-2015, 08:16 AM
Ottime
Quote:
Originally Posted by Edgnar
Whats the deal on buying passes around here? Spent 6 years riding in Colorado and now I'm in the bay area for the winter. I know I can be EPIC! with vail again, but not sure I want to ski N* or Heavenly, but Kirkwood might be fun. Or should I just stick with the split board and bet that I won't want to ride lifts?
Quote:
Originally Posted by LightRanger
If KW was still independent and the SugarWood pass was still around they would sell a fuckload of them, including to me.
Edgnar, for BA skiers it's generally Epic Pass, Squalpine pass (with SB and Sierra days), SB (with Squalpine days), or perhaps Kirkwood only unrestricted (assuming they haven't gotten rid of it). Or Mountain Collective (paid for between the days at Squalpine and Mammoth alone, plus Taos because... The Nino) and skins.
I've got KW only, but mostly because I have a 4 yr old, a sometimes a place to stay in the valley and a school teacher wife who wants to ski on holidays. I would not discount the Heave, especially in a good year with low snow levels. But if you have never been there or N*, they both have their purpose. For instance, in a storm, KW could be completely shut down due to wind/snow/lifts/power/management issues and N* will be open to the top. Just hope the pow is not too deep, cause the star is not too steep. It is also nice early season to stretch the legs on long manmade groomers. At least that has been the case the last several years until it snowed finally in February or something.
09-23-2015, 09:58 AM
TahoeJ
^^ This is a good point. I primarily ski at Squawlpine but get an Epic pass too for windy days when the upper mountain is closed - and the tree skiing at N* on storm days is actually pretty fantastic (especially since most of the clientele there is soft and they're all in the lodge while you ski fresh tracks all day). Plus being able to go over to Kirkwood makes having both passes a no-brainer if you can afford it (you can save a lot more money not buying $15 burgers and $9 beers). A few years ago when I didn't get both I regretted it.
09-24-2015, 08:42 AM
TahoeBC
If you lean more towards the backcountry there is good BC access out of both Heavenly and Kirkwood, add a 25$ snow park pass for hitting up Carson pass and your good to go.
09-24-2015, 08:52 AM
dookeyXXX
Quote:
Originally Posted by TahoeBC
If you lean more towards the backcountry there is good BC access out of both Heavenly and Kirkwood, add a 25$ snow park pass for hitting up Carson pass and your good to go.
i'mma JONG out for a millisecond here, but when you purchase a Snow Park pass, is it only good for a specific area? i.e. would I need to buy one for Carson Pass, one for the West Shore (Blackwood), one for North Shore (Castle Peak), and one for East Shore (Rose area)?
