Northeastern U.S. Weather

Yea, Tony, the long term statistics may not back this up but, anecdotally and from my (sometimes faulty) memory, it just seems like we don't get as much snow and cold weather, at least in southern to central New England as we used to and I've lived here for 60 plus years.

I have always concentrated my Northeast ski/snow analysis focus on upper New England. I have little doubt that the rain numbers are worse for lower New England, Catskills, etc. The CHANGE in rain vs. snow incidence vs. before 2000 is a different subject and I have not seen enough data to draw conclusions.

I have lived in SoCal for 60+ years and while the rain days in ski area numbers are low by NE standards the difference between the 1978-2000 and 2001-2024 numbers is significant.

The best times to ski are after a Nor'Easter. Or there has been prolonged cold weather (2 weeks) with maybe Clippes. A great winter is 3-4 weeks without a significant rain event. Also, the first-time trails open for the season is great since no ice is present.

Finally, Spring is optimal when everything softens (sunny and 40 degrees+).

Even skiing under snow guns while areas resurface terrain is fun - especially where they can blow snow on multiple trails (Killington, Sunday River, Okemo, Mt Snow, Hunter, Wachusett, etc).

Flatter areas can ski OK during icy times due to grooming since the snow will hold up better than areas with steeper terrain (Bretton Woods, Okemo, Stratton, Butternut, Mt Sunapee, etc)

But there is A LOT of misery in between. You have to be so selective about your days. I avoided any days with high-pressure winds and cold temps. Freeze your ass off, and the snow can blow away.

ChrisC said:

The best times to ski are after a Nor'Easter. Or there has been prolonged cold weather (2 weeks) with maybe Clippes. A great winter is 3-4 weeks without a significant rain event. Also, the first-time trails open for the season is great since no ice is present.

Finally, Spring is optimal when everything softens (sunny and 40 degrees+).

Even skiing under snow guns while areas resurface terrain is fun - especially where they can blow snow on multiple trails (Killington, Sunday River, Okemo, Mt Snow, Hunter, Wachusett, etc).

Flatter areas can ski OK during icy times due to grooming since the snow will hold up better than areas with steeper terrain (Bretton Woods, Okemo, Stratton, Butternut, Mt Sunapee, etc)

But there is A LOT of misery in between. You have to be so selective about your days. I avoided any days with high-pressure winds and cold temps. Freeze your ass off, and the snow can blow away.

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A mention of my local ski hill (or "bump" if you prefer that description)! I agree with everything you say about skiing in the Northeast, although I HATE skiing through snowmaking guns when they're on because they are not making "snow" but rather frozen ice particles that makes if feel like your face is being sand blasted as you ski through. Not a pleasant experience, IMHO (and I love skiing when it is actually snowing "real snow").

Berkshireskier was right about that rain forecast. It lasted at least 2 days and knocked all the northern Vermont trail counts below 50%. Jay fell from 91% open a week ago to 21% today. The early January forecast looks favorable for the Northeast cooling down with some snow while most of the West may get a week or two of high pressure.

Yea, Tony, the weather has been crazy. Was -5 (F) here four or five days ago (some pipes froze in our house but, luckily, did not burst but we had no running water in an upstairs bathroom for about 12 hours) and then it was 55 degrees here yesterday, with heavy rain the previous day. The warm temps and rain went all the way up into Canada. My daughter was up at Mt. Tremblant, about 1.5 hours north of Montreal, and it was warm and raining up there too. Was in the high 40's here again today. Not good for the snow preservation at ski areas. Although my nephew was skiing at Cannon Mt. in northern NH today and he said the trail conditions were surprisingly OK. It is supposed to turn much colder after the new year. Some weather people are predicting the coldest air mass in decades to hit the eastern US, all the way down to the Gulf Coast and northern Florida.

Northern Vermont has rebounded nicely with 2+ feet of snow since New Year's and 80+% operation for this weekend. It's cold but that often goes with the territory for the best Northeast conditions.