Colorado Weather Discussion Thread

[ski-wpk]

Snow today at MJ was about as unique as I’ve ever skied. Got out for just a few laps between 12-2 and most of the (lower, below SG) mountain was under 2’+ of soggy mashed potatoes. With enough pitch and speed it was really fun. Once I slowed down it was bad. I don’t think I’ve ever had to downhill skate the cat track between MJ and WP before. Like the entire thing.

[The SnowShow]

Spectacular day doing Cat laps at Loveland.

[mt_wilson]

Anybody know if the high peaks in San Juan’s are worth skiing still?


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[North]

Anybody know if the high peaks in San Juan’s are worth skiing still?


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According to Ted Mahon's Instagram, yes, very much so.

[simple]

Is this where we do BC obs?

Just a quick heads up about the Berthoud area. Not quite green light spring conditions yet. Some aspects and elevations appear to be well bonded with Q3 shears in multiple hand pits while other areas, at and above tree line specifically, are tender with Q1 observed in pockets.

It seems there is a sweet spot in elevation where above the snow fell on some type of frozen/crust layer and below is trending isothermic.

Be safe, have fun!

Good beta. Saw lots of wet slide activity this weekend.

[mall walker]

Skied dragons tail this morning. Below TL, super dense for the most part. Only the the N-ist of slopes were cold. Above TL, exposed east facing (i.e. bananas) was getting wind jacked. The S facing couloirs were getting warm and most of the pow was hot or had slid by 7:30 when we skied. Bed surface could be nice though. N facing might be holding up, but the wind was cranking from the N, so it might be jacked too unless protected.

skied this yesterday, thanks for the conditions beta. when we arrived the new snow had largely slid out of the main gut of the line. what new snow remained was already quite damp by 7:30 am (we would not have ascended this late had the new snow not already slid). the dirt-colored bed surface snow was consolidated, supportable, and imo genuinely great corn skiing around 9am. mountain was definitely awake by then, new snow lingering on the rock walls of the couloir was noisily emptying down into the dragons tail starting around 8:30, letting us know it was time to ski. what a fun line! I had never been in RMNP at all, nice first visit a number of people were heading up when we were exiting around 9:30, not really sure what the thought process was there but we told anyone who'd listen about the conditions + suggested perhaps it was a bit late to head up the S->E aspects at least

really good times

[trogdortheburninator]

skied this yesterday, thanks for the conditions beta. when we arrived the new snow had largely slid out of the main gut of the line. what new snow remained was already quite damp by 7:30 am (we would not have ascended this late had the new snow not already slid). the dirt-colored bed surface snow was consolidated, supportable, and imo genuinely great corn skiing around 9am. mountain was definitely awake by then, new snow lingering on the rock walls of the couloir was noisily emptying down into the dragons tail starting around 8:30, letting us know it was time to ski. what a fun line! I had never been in RMNP at all, nice first visit a number of people were heading up when we were exiting around 9:30, not really sure what the thought process was there but we told anyone who'd listen about the conditions + suggested perhaps it was a bit late to head up the S->E aspects at least

really good times

Glad to hear that bed surface delivered! It seemed like it had some potential.

[hatchgreenchile]

Nice pics Mallwalker.
Rocky is always a good time.
Make sure you tell your friends that Colorado is full

[Danno]

Make sure you tell your friends that Colorado is full

He lives in Salt Lake, I think they all know that.

[blackalps]

anyone been to A basin the last few days? Wondering if it's worth it.

[Name Redacted]

anyone been to A basin the last few days? Wondering if it's worth it.

It was super fun Sunday. East wall is in good condition, skied N Pole a few times. Weird mash potato slush in unskied areas from recent snowfall but not that sticky.

[cravenmorhead]

3 fun lines off Mt. Helen's ridge this weekend.

[blackalps]

It was super fun Sunday. East wall is in good condition, skied N Pole a few times. Weird mash potato slush in unskied areas from recent snowfall but not that sticky.

cool thanks.

[Get.Kronk]

Has anyone been up high in the IPW recently? Wondering how coverage is for things like the SE side of Toll.

[Wildman]

Has anyone been up high in the IPW recently? Wondering how coverage is for things like the SE side of Toll.

It looks good from my house!

[SkiBall]

Damn it got warm. Vail was in the low-mid 70's today and it felt like 90.

[thefrush]

Are we getting any solid freezes?

[blackalps]

Are we getting any solid freezes?

not in most areas the last couple days.

Skied Tuning Fork on Torrey's today. very soft all the way to the top around 1pm.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Spring decision making can be challenging. Safe safe ya'll.

Backcountry Avalanche Conditions:

Several large Wet Slab avalanches were reported from different parts of Colorado in the last three days. These were natural avalanches and they occurred on both east and west aspects. All released at around 12,000 feet in elevation. As temperatures remain warm over the next few days, and overnight temperatures stay above freezing, we can expect to see more of these avalanches.

With the warm weather that we are dealing with, there will be very small windows to get out and enjoy steep slopes in the backcountry. In fact, it might not matter how early you wake-up, if the snow surface doesn't freeze, conditions may be dangerous first thing in the morning. Careful trip planning is necessary so that safe return options to the trailhead are available if conditions deteriorate. The highest alpine peaks may still hold colder snow and generally-safe conditions but egress may be difficult and potentially dangerous. You may have to descend through locations with the most suspect slopes which are located at near-treeline and slightly above-treeline elevations. Slopes that have a thin snowpack and are very rocky are more at risk for wet avalanches that release as slabs.

Monitor overnight temperatures using our weather station page (link below). If you see overnight temperatures above freezing, it may best to find a different spring activity for the day. Warm nights coupled with cloud cover further increase the chance that the snow surface did not freeze. When the snow surface doesn't freeze, the snowpack becomes unsupportable, collapsible and possibly dangerous. While out in the backcountry, be wary of any slope that cannot support the weight of you or your machine. Collapsing sounds and sinking into the snowpack are bad signs and an indication that you should use low-angle slopes to return to the trailhead.

---

You can check current weather conditions on the Weather Stations page. You can see where recent avalanches occurred and other observations on the Field Reports page. Let us know what you see out there by Submitting an Observation.

We will issue a Statewide Avalanche Summary on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays through Memorial Day. As conditions change we will update this product any time it is warranted.

[Doughnuts01]

Are we getting any solid freezes?

Skied Democrat yesterday... Decent freeze above 11k. Skied N/NE around 11:15 and there was soft, fun turns to be had.

[montanaskier]

Skied Democrat yesterday... Decent freeze above 11k. Skied N/NE around 11:15 and there was soft, fun turns to be had.

From kite lake? How far up the road can you get?

[miserywhip]

There were icicles in the stream in Dry Gulch this morning, and a decent freeze, but still punchy in thin spots. Was corned up nicely at 9:30 at 12,600'. Gotta get on things early...

[Doughnuts01]

From kite lake? How far up the road can you get?

Went in at Montgomery Res

[SkiLyft]

LL just posted no uphill access for the remainder of the off season while they rebuilt lift 1. My question is... can they do that?? Isn’t that national forest? How can you close national forest?


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[Danno]

LL just posted no uphill access for the remainder of the off season while they rebuilt lift 1. My question is... can they do that?? Isn’t that national forest? How can you close national forest?


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Because they have a lease agreement. If you own a house and rent it to Joe, do you think you can walk into Joe's house anytime you please? No, it's Joe's house, you retain some rights but certainly not the right of entry.

What Loveland can or can't do is entirely dependent on the terms of their lease agreement with the Forest Service.