Choice comments from today's Utah Avalanche Center report

[Marc_C]

...it just sux that the year I take 2 weeks to go to Utah it is a low snow year out there and a great snow year at home.

Low snow? On what do you base that sweeping generalization? All the resorts have 95% - 100% of their terrain open. We're currently at ~260" for the season in upper LCC. Last year at this time we were 330", but that was a 700" year - our average is 500". In 06/07 it was 176" at the end of January - and that still turned into an average year. And some years that turned out to indeed be low snow years had 340" cumulative by the end of January, but no major storms after the end of February. The 20 year average is 83" on the ground in January - we're currently at 87", and we've already gone over 100" this season.

 

[Marc_C]

which would you rather ski: 5" of water distributed in 5 feet of snow, or the same 5" of water in only a foot of snow?

While I'm not prepared to answer that question, do I get points for knowing what a dendrite is?

Sure! =D> =D> =D> =D>

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I knew that Sharon was going to get it for that "low-snow year" statement.
:lol:

 

[Marc_C]

it just sux that the year I take 2 weeks to go to Utah it is a low snow year out there

It is? News to me. News to the National Weather Service, too. Snowbird's snowpack is at 119.8% of average:
http://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/snow/snowlist ... 1&ss=SBDU1

Just a minor clarification - that 119.8% of normal refers to water equivalent, not snowpack depth or cumulative snowfall. But indeed, we seem to be at about average for snowfall, and January isn't over yet.

 

[Marc_C]

I knew that Sharon was going to get it for that "low-snow year" statement.
:lol:

You mean because it had no basis in fact? #-o

 

[Admin]

I knew that Sharon was going to get it for that "low-snow year" statement.
:lol:

You'd think that someone who's headed here for 2 weeks would actually look into the facts first. :roll:

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Here's my conspiracy theory...

Sharon got her hands on a pirated collection of Admin's TR photos -- the ones with no snow that ended up on the cutting room floor?

 

[socal]

Rather than start a new thread I thought I'd just add it to this one. I know my way around Alta pretty well, don't know the names all that well, but with the help of some local advice and the Powderhounds Guide to Alta, I understand where most of the goods are. I guess what I'm looking for is some peoples thoughts on where we might find the best skiing. I'd guess the north facing stuff off the High T (Eagles nest, north rustler, etc) would be good. Any thoughts on Wildcat or Supreme? Also the below from the NWS does say the SW facing stuff would be good, anyone agree or disagree? and if so what's southwest facing? Thanks

A weak disturbance is passing over northern Utah early this morning. A lull is expected this afternoon into tonight...before a moist southwest flow sets up for the weekend. There is a potential for heavy snowfall this weekend especially along the upper southwest facing slopes.

 

[Admin]

Here's my conspiracy theory...

Sharon got her hands on a pirated collection of Admin's TR photos -- the ones with no snow that ended up on the cutting room floor?

I subscribe to a far lesser theory. If anyone comes across a smiley for removing one's head from one's butt, please point it out to me.

 

[Admin]

I guess what I'm looking for is some peoples thoughts on where we might find the best skiing. I'd guess the north facing stuff off the High T (Eagles nest, north rustler, etc) would be good.

A lot has happened since I was last up on Monday. Darned difficult, therefore, to predict without seeing for myself what effect last night's weather had on things.

Any thoughts on Wildcat or Supreme?

There are north-facing aspects available from both lifts.

Also the below from the NWS does say the SW facing stuff would be good, anyone agree or disagree? and if so what's southwest facing?

Again, hard to tell...but it doesn't say that SW-facing will be good, it says that those areas would be favored in the current cycle's southwest flow, which is no surprise.

Southwest: Areas off Baldy Express in Mineral Basin plus the upper Chamonix Chutes and Livin' the Dream, a couple of very select short lines off Supreme including some OB shots off Patsy Marley, and that's about it.

 

[socal]

Thanks, I figured it would be tough to tell. 2 friends are Snowbird right now, here's his latest email (I asked to rate the skiing 1-10) from about 5 minutes ago (blackberry on the lift)

Its snowing pretty heavy now - maybe mixed w rain. Stuff off gad 2 in the trees off of election is legit. Parts untracked. Smooth soft bumps. Below gad 2 is a 4

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I subscribe to a far lesser theory. If anyone comes across a smiley for removing one's head from one's butt, please point it out to me.

Sheesh... make one inaccurate comment about LCC snow and the firing squad appears.

 

[Tony Crocker]

The 260 inches at Alta is 107% of normal, as of today. I provide this info regularly here: http://webpages.charter.net/tcrocker818/seas09.htm . I've not updated that page since Jan. 14 because I've been busy and there hasn't been much action during that time. Next update probably Jan. 28 before I leave for Canada.

Sheesh... make one inaccurate comment about LCC snow and the firing squad appears.

A regular follower of these boards should have known that particular statement was inaccurate. I see no grounds whatsoever for complaining on Sharon's part. She's there for 2 weeks. The current storm will prevent much instability that might have followed the ~10 days of high pressure. The next round of storms starting Sunday night or so are likely to be more "normal" in terms of Utah water content. What's not to like?

 

[Marc_C]

Alta's Picture of the Day for today speaks volumes about the snow density!

 

[Admin]

Alta's Picture of the Day for today speaks volumes about the snow density!

<snicker> No kidding.

FYI alta.com appears to use hotlink protection, so that image only appears if it's in your cache from accessing it on Alta.com. If needed users can view it here:

http://www.alta.com/Newsite/images/pico ... 012309.jpg

 

[jamesdeluxe]

A regular follower of these boards should have known that particular statement was inaccurate.

Try repeating that sentence ^^^ aloud in a slow, booming, "voice of God." Pretty funny.

"I SHALL NOT TOLERATE INSOLENCE!!"

 

[Tony Crocker]

I think the "firing squad" took aim not for the one inaccurate statement but for the overall negative tone of expecting disappointing conditions. Compared to central New York? Give us a break!

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Looks awful:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... 11.637&e=1

 

[Tony Crocker]

Looks awful:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... 11.637&e=1

:-({|= Yes, we have SO much sympathy for Sharon. :-({|=

 

[Patrick]

I think the "firing squad" took aim not for the one inaccurate statement but for the overall negative tone of expecting disappointing conditions. Compared to central New York? Give us a break!