Winter Park Resort Snowfall

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Chris

Snowfall at Winter Park Resort

The snow took some time to come this year but it has been falling steady the past week and conditions are fantastic with lots more snow forecast for this coming week. This week Panorama Express opened with great tree skiing and powder that was waist high.

As of today Winter Park Resort has 19 of 25 lifts open with 111 trails in great skiing condition and all 8 terrain parks ready for all your tricks. Total skiing acreage open is 1437, that is a lot of space to ski.

The weather outlook for the coming weeks is looking real good with a steady flow of storms dropping some good totals here in WP. For the year Winter Park Resort has had 101.5″ of snow for the year. A positive way of looking at the thin snow of December is that we will hit at least 300″ of snow for the year so there will be a whole lot of fluffy white powder being dumped between now and April 22.

Want to follow the Winter Park Resort Snow Forecast? Follow the Open Snow Powder Forecast.

Looking to come hit the snowy Winter Park slopes when there are no crowds and the flakes are flying? Book with WInter park Lodging Company by January 31st for stays before February 15th and get your third night free. Check out all of Winter Park Lodging Company’s Vacation Rentals to get your prime Winter Park, Colorado diggs.

The jet stream and storm flow have made a change. Look for Winter park and Mary Jane to get plenty of snow for some great skiing the next three and a-half months.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow.

Winter Park Resort First Snow Contest 2011

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Chris

When will Winter Park, CO Receive the First Measurable Snow for Winter 2011?

It is that time of year again when we are on the snow lookout. We are on our fourth year of the Winter Park,CO First Measurable Snow Contest. This year looks to be a good year of snow as the La Nina weather pattern is supposed to be hanging on until early in 2012. And that little La Nina was oh so kind to us last year we are looking for some great snow early this year, knock on wood.

Anyone fortunate enough to live or travel out here to CO during the 2010-11 winter knows that it was the mother of all winters with most Colorado resorts boasting record snow totals. Could this winter be a repeat of the La Nina conditions that brought about last year’s nearly endless winter (we had good a good snowfall in mid-June)?

The NOAA’s current climate models give us a coin flip’s chance at either a repeat La Nina event or the normal ENSO neutral. They aren’t the best odds in the world, but I’ll take them. Anywho, lets hope that the snow is flying early and often to make this another good winter of skiing.

The first measurable snow in Winter Park, Colorado contest goes like this:

Guess the day of the first measurable snow at Winter Park Resort in the comments section below this blog or on the Winter Park Lodging Company Facebook Page
Only one guess per person
Measurable snow is more than half an inch
Prize is dinner for two at Deno’s Mountain Bistro, $100.00 limit
Guess must be in two days before actual snow

Last year, 2010, first snow was rather late with an October 12th blizzard. 2009 brought us first snow on September 21st and 2008 was early with a September 10th date. Last year I predicted September 15th and was off by almost a month.

So everyone put your Winter Park Resort Trail-maps in the freezer for good luck (and to make the snow gods happy) and get your snow dance on. I will start things off with the fist snow prediction for ski season 2011/2012.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Best Snow in Colorado? Winter Park Resort – Of Course

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Chris

Powder Skiing Winter Park, Colorado

The snow gods have been very kind to Winter Park so far this year, maybe kinder to Winter Park than any other Colorado ski resort than Steamboat. That is nothing new to Winter Park and Mary Jane though as WP and MJ have the highest average snowfall of any destination resort in Colorado. Yes, Silverton Mountain may get more fluffy white as does Wolf Creek but, hey, those aren’t destination resorts.

The world is starting to take notice of our abundant snowfall this year also, as we are mentioned in The Denver Post article by Scott Willoughby.

Here is what Scott had to say about our little mecca of skiing here in Winter Park:

Winter Park: Another northern beneficiary, Grand County never seems to have a problem keeping winter cool. That’s 360 inches of cold smoke a year, preserved for your pleasure.

We were a bit shy of that 360 inch average last year but this year is looking like a 400 to 450 inches of snow year. I should knock on wood with that challenge to the snow gods. The snow should keep on coming WP’s way if the La Niña weather pattern holds as is forecast to through the 2012 ski season. Little La Niña favors the Northern Colorado ski resorts and Winter Park/Mary Jane and Steamboat have some of the best snow in the state to prove it.

So, if you are looking to get some great powder days in this year head on up to Winter Park and Mary Jane to find the best snow in all of Colorado.

Early Season Colorado Skiing

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Chris

Opening Day Copper Mountain Resort

We had a chance to visit one of our favorite ski resorts besides Winter Park last Friday and hit Copper Mountain’s opening day. Snow conditions were ok with some great snow coverage but a bit on the bullet proof side. There was one run open and one lift that was accessible to the public and one lift open for ski race training. The snow was not perfect but the temperatures were May like and in the 40′s.

The conditions this year have been great for early season skiing. Loveland last week had a 20 inch mid mountian depth and three lifts running with five runs and two of those were bump runs. All this snow in the first week of November is hopefully an omen of great snow year.

Today Winter Park is getting hit with a good sized weather front and the snow is dumping. The Winter Park forecast calls for snow off and on all week long. Opening day is a week away, next Wednesday November 17th. The La Niña weather pattern seems to be holding and is strong this year so we should be in for a great snow year (knock on wood).

Early season is a great time to ski in Colorado and specifically WInter Park as there are great deals on almost everthing. From lift tickets to lodging and ski rentals to food and drinks deals can be had in November and early December. Check out the Winter Park Lodging Company deals page.

Get a jump on this ski season and get out early to enjoy some great snow conditions this year.

First Big Snowstorm at Winter Park Resort 2010/2011

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Chris

Winter Park Resort Snow

The snow just seems to keep on coming in this late October blizzard that is hitting Winter Park, CO. About six inches are on the ground already and about 10 to 15 more inches of the fluffy white stuff should be in the ground by Wednesday.

Here is the forecast for today October 25th, 2010:

Very windy with base rain or rain/ snow mix in the morning (all snow above 11,000 feet), then all snow as the snow level drops to near 6,000 feet. Winds look strong, with low visibility in blowing and drifting snow. Snow continues overnight.

Precipitation:

Rain or a rain/ snow mix, then all snow definite by mid morning.

Snow Potential
4 to 6 inches of snowfall at the base, and 8 to 11 inches of snowfall above 11,000 ft.

It is a whiteout here today and there are several big trees down on out property in Tabernash. Hopefully this is a harbinger of this to come this ski season. La Niña wether pattern is usually good for Winter Park/MaryJane and the Northern Colorado Rocky Mountain ski resorts.

The white out has continued into today Tuesday the 26th with three to five inches of additional snow.

Snow, snow, snow, let it snow here in Winter Park.

The National Weather Service says between 14 and 24 inches of snow could fall by Tuesday afternoon in the Gore Range and Rabbit Ears Pass. Between 8 and 15 inches are possible in the central mountains, including Vail and Aspen.

Our first real blizzard of the year is here in Colorado. Lets keep the storms coming mother nature.

La Niña Weather Pattern for Winter Park in 2011

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Chris

What Does La Niña mean for the Colorado Ski Resorts?

NOAA has issued a La Niña advisory through early 2011. What does this mean for the Colorado ski resorts and in particular our beloved Winter Park Resort?

Climate scientists say a La Niña weather pattern is developing and will persist at least through early 2011, as sea surface temperatures cooled dramatically in July across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.

The forecast models are in disagreement over how strong the cyclical cooling will be. La Niña usually — but not always — delivers a wintry punch to the Colorado mountains.

The El Niño pattern of last winter was neutral (La Nada), and now a La Niña pattern will take over for the coming fall/ winter, through possibly the season following (through 2012). This usually bodes well for the northern Colorado ski resorts. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

In the La Niña advisory issued Aug. 5, the federal Climate Prediction Center said temperature and precipitation impacts are generally weak during the summer and fall, but strengthen considerably in late fall and winter. La Niña can also contribute to increase hurricane activity in the Atlantic by decreasing vertical wind shear over the Caribbean Sea and tropical Atlantic. It could also bring some bonus moisture to some drought-stricken parts of Australia.

So this weather forecasting is all a bit of gobbly gook but here is hoping that the little lovely La Niña delivers a whopping blow of fluffy white snow right here on top of the Winter Park and Mark Jane Ski Resorts.

Fraser River in Winter Park Named to Endangered River List

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Chris

Colorado River Named to”Most Endangered Rivers” List

Our beloved Colorado River and more specifically the Fraser River has been named the #6 most endangered river in the United States. The threat of water diversion from the state’s namesake river has landed the Upper Colorado at #6 on this year’s list, as compiled by the conservation advocacy group American Rivers.

Right here in Winter Park the proposed firming of the Moffat Tunnel Collection System Project is threatening to make the Fraser River that most of us here depend on into a trickle of a stream. As it is now it is a trickle of what it once was.

The proposed Moffet firming could lower the river flow to the point of threatening the Fraser and the Colorado Rivers prized trout fisheries.

Supporters of the Moffat diversion say the water is needed in order to ensure a reliable water supply for Colorado’s fast-growing population. We say those needs can be met through other means, such as working to use water more efficiently. The Upper Colorado and its major tributaries provide water to the resort areas of Granby, Winter Park, Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail; as well as a large portion of the urban Front Range.

The Denver metro area users gobble up a huge percentage of the Colorado River water already and piddle it away on grass watering and other non-essentials and keep on grabbing for more.

Lets keep a healthy Colorado and Fraser River and say no to Denver Water and the proposed firming of the Moffat Tunnel Collection System Project.

Winter Park Snow Pack still growing, Great News for Rafters!

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Amy

We get an average of 365 inches of snow in a season up here in Winter Park. Since we didn’t get all of that during the ski season, it’s coming down now. That’s great news for summer rafters. The better the snow pack, the better and longer the raft season. Adventures in Whitewater, a local WP business, offers guided trips on both the Colorado and Clear Creek Rivers. Check out their website, http://adventuresinwhitewater.com/, or give them a call to schedule your adventure, 1-877-321-RAFT or at (970)726-3279. Be sure to mention that you are a guest of Winter Park Lodging Company for a great 15% discount!

Spring Skiing Winter Park Resort Colorado

Posted on April 4, 2010 by Chris

Snow in April in Winter Park, Colorado

The snow just keeps on coming here in Winter Park. In the last three days we have had almost ten inches of snow and there is more predicted for the next three days with this coming Tuesday looking like we will get hit pretty hard.

Here is the snow report for today the 4th day of April, 2010:

New Winter Park Resort Snow (In Inches)
24 hrs	48 hrs	72 hrs	Season
2″	3.5″	9.5″	251.

There are only two weeks left for this ski season and now is the time to get out and make some turns. Check out the snow forecast at snow forecast.com and see all the snow we should be getting in these next two weeks. This week Thursday and Friday should be spectacular days for some spring skiing. With highs in the 40′s it will be a light jacket day with plenty of sunscreen needed. Not a better way to spend a day on the slopes and an afternoon on the deck having a beer.

High pressure ridging aloft holds through next Thursday, weakening on Friday as a major storm brews out west. Another unsettled pattern which is kicked off by this system starts next Saturday (10th), and may continue off and on through the 16th/ 17th, maybe beyond, in the form of cut-off low pressure systems possibly. Pacific storms (with snow) should move through with good frequency into the last half of April. Plan now to get the snow that these storms are going to dump

Come celebrate spring in the Rocky Mountains. Winter Park Lodging Company is offering a fourth night free special and the best lift ticket deals around. April is the best time to ski in Colorado so don’t miss out. Head on up and spend a few dys on the slopes under the blue, blue Colorado skies.

Winter Park Resort Spring Snow Storms

Posted on March 23, 2010 by Chris

Spring Snow Spring Snow Spring Snow

If I say it enough times we should get one of these storms to hit us head on, no? After being missed by last weeks storm that some forecasters had us getting us much as 15″, we got .1″, I am strarting to believe that thrownin’ darts at a board is better than any of the snow forecasters ability to predict when we here in Winter Park will get snow.

That great 16″ snow storm that crushed Winter Park Resort, not one forecast predicted anywhere close to that. Now we have a couple of snow predictions for snow storms to hit this week. I’m seeing anywhere from 4″ to 15 inches for the Tues/Wed storm and 3″ to 12″ for the Fri/Sat storm. Bring it on. It looks like, if these predictions are a even a little bit correct, that this Thursday and Sunday should be good bluebird ski days.

It looks like winter made sure to leave good snow storms for spring. After a Monday – Wednesday (29th – 31st) break (partly cloudy/ mostly sunny, milder), we may see a strong late week storm, and another snow storm that weekend, for frequent snowfall during the first several days of April. Pacific storms (with snow) should move through with good frequency right into mid April, to finish off the season on an improved note we believe (improved weekly snow amounts compared to weekly mid winter totals).

Join Winter Park Resort Thursday, March 25th in West Portal Plaza as they kick-off the Nature Valley NASTAR National championships. The opening celebration begins at 6:00p.m. with a Warren Miller screening of the directors cut of Dynasty, followed by a live performance by The Greyboy Allstars at 7p.m.! Enjoy the movie, enjoy the music, and stick around for the huge fireworks display after the sun goes down!

Come and enjoy the last three weeks of this ski season. The big storms will be hitting us soon, Y’all keep your fingers crossed.