wePowder North America

Deepest day of the winter?

Morris — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:00:36 +0000

It's so deep..

Current situation

It is ON. Steamboat + 4 feet, JH + 3 feet 26. Powderalert #18 is a hammer and there is still more to come. But take care out there. We saw a lot of catastrofic avalanches the last few days and it is still tricky out there. Stay as much as possible inbounds and watch your friends carefully. If you go out, keep in mind that the snowpack still contains a weak layer which can cause new avalanches. More info you can find in your local avalanche bulletin. And in case you might go.. don't forget to take your avalanche bag with you. It's not that hard to pull the trigger, even monkeys can.

Short term

Finally! La Nina is ON. First time was at the end of january. Now at the end of february the bitch is back. Except of Tahoe all major mountains and resorts had freshies the last 48 hours. Expect at minimum 5 inch and at maximum another 2-3 feet. Especially the Cascades, Idaho, Montana, the Kootenay and Wyoming will get huge amounts of freshies. Thursday morning might be one of the best first chairs of this season. So you better hurry!

Powder regions: Coastal B.C., Pacific North West (North), Pacific North West (South), Pre Alpine Central, Rocky Mountains Far North, Rocky Mountains North, Rocky Mountains Central, Utah & Colorado North.

Long term

Saturday a new storm will be moving into the PNW. At first it will bring snow to Coastal BC and the Kootenay. The Fernie Factor might be on at the Lizard Creek range. Saturday night the cold front will arrive and bring snow to interior BC, the Cascades, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. This might be a really BIG weekend. Make sure you don't miss it.

Long term powder indication: North-West Coastal Range, Northern Rockies & Central Rockies.

Powder Advice

Thursday: first chair in the Cascades, Idaho, Montana, the Kootenay, Utah, Colorado (north of the divide) and Wyoming
Saturday: first chair in Coastal BC and the Cascades
Sunday: first chair in the Cascades, Idaho, Montana, the Kootenay, Utah, Colorado (north of the divide) and Wyoming

Where to go: check our recommendations.

Stay Stoked!
Morris

La Nina?

Morris — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:04:13 +0000

Finally it's ON!

Current situation

It's Family day in Alberta and All presidents day in the US. So it's bussy out there. And it's snowing out there. It looks like winter finally has started. Last week we saw several inches and feet of fresh snow. It's not an epic winter (yet), but things are getting normal. Whereas the cascades are enjoying a great winter and parts of Canada are also already above normal.

Short term

Today there is still a winter weather warning for Montana, Utah, Colorado. Monday afternoon a new storm is moving in into the PNW. The cascades and coastal BC get their share and I expect 8-15 inches of fresh tuesday afternoon. This storm is moving east on Tuesday and will bring snow in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and interior BC. Freezing level between 1500 and 3000 ft at the start. Expect up to 6-12 inches. Whereas this storm is continuing to go east a new storm moves in from the west.

Powder regions: Coastal B.C., Pre Alpine Central, Rocky Mountains Central, Utah & Colorado North.

Long term

This storm is likely to follow the same track as the storm of monday so chances are big that Wednesday and Thursday will be big powderdays in het PNW. More details to come.

Long term powder indication: North-West Coastal Range, Northern Rockies & Central Rockies.

Powder Advice

Monday: treeruns in Montana, Utah and Colorado
Tuesday: first chair in the Cascades and Coastal BC
Wednesday: first chair in interior BC, Idaho and Montana

Where to go: check our recommendations.

Stay Stoked!
Morris

Friday first chair in BC

Morris — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 07:19:58 +0000

New storm is moving in

Current situation

Today we are at good old Fernie (British Columbia, Canada) where we found some hidden powder stashes. Luckely the avalanche danger overhere is low to moderate. We are on the road in Canada for our second roadtrip within a year. Last year we drove over 4500 km in 15 days, 18 hours, 55 minutes and 34 seconds in our Chevy Tahoe. We visited ten resorts, snow conditions varied from waistdeep powder to hardpack, hiked and skinned the backcountry of Whistler-Blackbomb, visited legendary mountains, such as Jackson Hole and Mt. Baker, enjoyed endless stoke in true powdertowns like Red Mountain and Whitewater and got hammered in the bottomless powder of Fernie. It was a legendary trip that we’ll never forget. Every skier and boarder should make a trip like that at least once in a lifetime. We decided to share our stories and experiences of over ten years of powderchasing and freeriding. The next seasons we will publish the ‘Essentials’, a serie of themed magazines. ‘Road Tripping North America’ is the first in this series. You can read it here online or download it for your iPad. Best of all: it’s free!

In the meanwhile it had been dumping in the Sierras, Utah and Colorado. Some resorts even saw their 3rd powderday within a week. This could be winter Conditions finally have improved as these shots from Mammoth prove. And the good news.. there is more to come.

Short term

A new storm is moving in into Canada. Tomorrow morning the first flurries in Coastal BC. During the day the storm will move east and bring snow to the Kootenay, Purcells, Columbian Mountains and the Rockies. Estimations are about 4-10 inch for the coastal resorts and 2-5 inch for the interior resorts. Friday the last flurries. Especially in Montana.

Powder regions: Pre Alpine North, Pacific North West (North), Coastal B.C. & Rocky Mountains North.

Long term

Right now the forecast models are still struggling with the track of the Saturday and Sunday night storms. Latest runs suggest a more southern track. If these are correct the storm will move into Oregon and state Washington on fridag night and than continue east towards Idaho and Montana. Northern California and the Canadian Rockies might see snow coming in on Sunday. Probably sunday afternoon the storm will arrive at Utah, Wyoming and Colorado and continue to bring snow until tuesday. At the same time a new storm is moving in from the northwest into the PNW.

Long term powder indication: North-West Coastal Range, Northern Rockies & Central Rockies.

Powder Advice

Thursday: First chair at Coastal BC
Friday: First chair at Interior BC
Saturday: First chair at Oregon and State Washington
Sunday: First chair at Oregon and State Washington, matbe the northern Sierras and Interior BC

Where to go: check our recommendations.

Stay Stoked!
Morris

3rd storm in a row!

Morris — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:37:53 +0000

PA#18 is coming

Current situation

We are once again on a roadtrip through North America. After Panorama we are now on the road to Fernie. Our goal was Whitewater. But with all the black ice on the Kootenay Pass we decided to spend a day in Fernie and wait for the next storm to come.

Last year we drove over 4500 km in 15 days, 18 hours, 55 minutes and 34 seconds in our Chevy Tahoe. We visited ten resorts, snow conditions varied from waistdeep powder to hardpack, hiked and skinned the backcountry of Whistler-Blackbomb, visited legendary mountains, such as Jackson Hole and Mt. Baker, enjoyed endless stoke in true powdertowns like Red Mountain and Whitewater and got hammered in the bottomless powder of Fernie. It was a legendary trip that we’ll never forget. Every skier and boarder should make a trip like that at least once in a lifetime. We decided to share our stories and experiences of over ten years of powderchasing and freeriding.

The next seasons we will publish the ‘Essentials’, a serie of themed magazines. ‘Road Tripping North America’ is the first 'Essential'. You can read it here online or download it for your iPad. Best of all: it’s free!

Short term

Wednesday we will start with snow in the Cascades. A new storm (the third already this week!) is moving in from the PNW ans tracking southeast towards the sierras. This afternoon might bring the first flakes into Tahoe. Expecting 2-5 inches at lake level with 4-8 inches above 7000 ft. Bring it on, bring it on! It looks like the season has finally started. Nog significant snow though for Utah and Colorado. After the two storms they will keep it drier today. There are some flurries possible in western Utah and north of the divide in Colorado.

Powder regions: Pacific North West (North), Pacific North West (South), Pacific South West (North), Pacific South West, Pacific South West (South) & San Juan Mountains.

Long term

Significant will be the storm that is tracking for the PNW on thursday. Although the freezing level might be sketchy for the coastal areas. More details about that tomorrow. As this storm moves east it will lose some of its moisture, but it will be strong enough to bring snow into interior BC, northern Idaho and Montana.

Long term powder indication: North-West Coastal Range & Northern Rockies.

Powder Advice

Wednesday: first chair in the San Juan Mountains, the Cascades and probably also the Sierras
Thursday: first chair in the sierras or head up north where you will have powder days on Thursday and Friday.

Where to go: check our recommendations.

Stay Stoked!
Morris

It's still ON

Morris — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:52:42 +0000

New storms are popping up

Current situation

It was a powder day in the San Juan Mountains, Tahoe, Utah and Oregon today. And finally Squaw could put the magic words on their website 'welcome to a powderday'. Snow reports went up to 19 inches and with an average of 10 inch, this was a day to remember. And there is more to come!

Short term

At the moment it is snowing in the Kootenays and it will continue snowing until Tuesday. 2-8 inches are expected over there. There is a winter storm warning for Utah for Monday night and Tuesday, where 1 to 2 feet might be possible in the southern areas. And there is a new winter storm warning for California that will bring another 6 to 8 inches to Mammoth Mountain.

This storm will arrive at the San Juan Mountains on Tuesday night and it will bring the third powder day of this week. First chair in Wolf Creek, Durango and Silverton on Wednesday morning. At the same time a small storm is passing the Cascades (4-8 inch) and tracking south towards the Sierras to bring some inches. Utah might get a few flurries on Wednesday.

Powder regions: Pacific South West, Pacific South West (South), Pre Alpine North, Rocky Mountains North & Utah.

Long term

Thursday a new storm is approaching Coastal BC. Powder first in Whistler, Powder King and Hudson Bay Mountain. It will start snowing around the Columbia river and west of the Canadian Rockies during the day. The storm will get to Montana on Thursday night and after that it is still pretty uncertain.

Long term powder indication: North-West Coastal Range, Northern Rockies & Southern Rockies.

Powder Advice

Tuesday: first chair in the Kootenays, (Southern) Utah and Mammoth Mountain.
Wednesday: first chair in the San Juan Mountains, the Cascades and probably also the Sierras
Thursday: head up north where you will have powder days on Thursday and Friday.

Where to go: check our recommendations.

Stay Stoked!
Morris

It's ON

Morris — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:35:29 +0000

3 (little) storms this week!

Current situation

As expected today was a powder day in the San Juan Mountains. The Valentine‘s Day Race in Wolf Creeck was cancelled due to powder conditions. It’s snowing in the western and northern parts of Utah and Colorado and there’s a winter storm warning for the entire region. Especially the San Juan Mountains will get loads of freshies!

In the meanwhile we continue our roadtrip through Canada. After travelling from Jasper to Golden yesterday on the Icefields Parkway (which has truly phenomenal views and when you add some black ice on the road and all-season tires on our car, you’ll have an experience to remember), we were riding the backcountry of Kicking Horse today. We’ve been searching for powder in BC and Alberta for eight days and everyday we met people that in some way are related to wePowder. After a day of riding we met some wePowder members from Belgium in Lake Louise and while hiking the backcountry of Kicking Horse we met a girl from Norway who was a good friend of one of our freeride buddies from Oslo. It’s amazing to experience that the wePowder community is spread all over the world and that we meet people more than 7.000 km from home who share the stoke. Wonder what will happen tomorrow, when we’ll hit Panorama.

Short term

While it’s dumping in the south of Colorado, there already is a new storm coming that will bring snow sooner than expected in Tahoe and Oregon. Tonight (Sunday to Monday) the first snow will fall, and it will be snowing all day Monday. A winter storm advisory is now in effect and until Tuesday morning 8 to 12 inched can be expected above 6000 feet.

This storm will move to the east and arrives in the northern parts of the Rockies to drop some snow in the Kootenays and Montana. Another part of the storm will move to the south and will arrive in the southern Rockies in the night of Tuesday to Wednesday. The San Juan Mountains will get the most snow. This will bring another powder day on Wednesday!

Powder regions: Pacific North West (South), Pacific South West (North), Pacific South West, Pre Alpine North & San Juan Mountains.

Long term

The third storm this week will kick in on Wednesday. This one seems to start moving south from the state of Washinton via the Cascades to Tahoe, but this is absolutely not 100% sure yet. Just like it isn’t sure there will be another storm at the end of the week. More about that storm later this week.

Long term powder indication: North-West Coastal Range & Northern Rockies.

Powder Advice

Monday first chair in the San Juan Mountains
Tuesday first chair in Tahoe, Oregon and Kootenay
Wednesday first chair in San Juan Mountains, Montana and the Cascades

Where to go: check our recommendations.

Stay Stoked!
Morris

First Chair on Monday!

Morris — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:30:03 +0000

Or Sunday as you wish!

Current situation

The latest storm brought about 3-8 inches of freshies since Thursday. Montana and the northern parts of Colorado received the most snow. But the winner of the week was the Ice Coast where the winter is ON (that’s in capitals yes). The Cascades also received some snow, but as expected it was too warm over there. We were riding the resort of Lake Louise yesterday, drove to Marmot Basin (and back again) today and we just arrived in Golden, BC to ride Kicking Horse tomorrow. After five days of heliskiing with CMH in Revelstoke it’s the perfect way to get back to ‘normal’ riding again!

Short term

A new storm will hit the westcoast on Sunday and will move to the east. This will result in freshies for practical all mountain ranges. The snowline will be pretty high in the coastal mountains (Cascades, Tahoe, Whistler), so you’ll have to be at an altitude of at least 4000-5500 feet for some freshies. More inland (the Rockies) it will be colder and the precipitation will fall in the form we most like it: snow. Best spot for Sunday: the San Juan Mountains will hit the jackpot on Sunday. Who’s in for first chair?

It will get colder during the day (Sunday that is), resulting in lots of freshies in Utah and Colorado (and the white gold will keep falling till Monday). Wake up early Monday morning to get first chair! And while it’s snowing in the Rockies, a new storm will hit the westcoast on Monday, resulting in snow for the Cascades and Tahoe (and everything in between). First chair on Tuesday in Tahoe or Oregon!

Powder regions: San Juan Mountains, Pacific South West (South), Pacific South West & Northern Appalachians.

Long term

The storm will move to the east, resulting in more freshies in Utah (mind the lake effect for some extra snow) and Colorado on Tuesday and Wednesday. These storms will bring the most snow in the US. If you’re one of the Canadian shredders living in BC or Alberta: some patience is required, but it looks like you’ll get some at the end of the week.

Long term powder indication: South-West Coastal Range, Central Rockies & Southern Rockies.

Powder Advice

Sunday: first chair in the San Juan Mountains
Monday: first chair in Utah and Colorado
Tuesday: first chair in Oregon and Tahoe

Where to go: check our recommendations.

Stay Stoked!
Morris

Finally!

Morris — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:27:00 +0000

Enough freshies to fill up those inbounds tracks

Current situation

While it was hard to find powder inbounds we explored the backcountry of Revelstoke, British Columbia. After four days of bluebird and loads of untracked powder we are preparing for our last runs. Anybody wants a ride in the heli? I Like.

Short term

Wednesday evening we saw some flurries in Revelstoke which are followed by some light snow on Friday. A weak system is pushing through the west and it looks like this is the start of a period with new snow. Most snow is expected in the higher Cascades, Montana, Coastal BC, South Columbia and the Kootenays. During the weekend the jetstream pattern is changing. The ridge of high pressure moves over the West and is shifting towards the east. So far it doesn't look like this will bring huge amounts of snow. But it will bring several inches inland and a maximum of two feet in the coastal areas.

Powder regions: Coastal B.C., Pacific North West (North), Pacific North West (South), Pre Alpine North, Pre Alpine Central & Rocky Mountains Central.

Long term

Another storm pushes into the West Coast from Monday. This will bring more snow to the Rockies on Monday and Tuesday. It's not all clear how much this storm will bring but it looks like this storm will be colder and stronger than the system that is now bringing some snow. And than there is another storm popping up on the charts next week. Possibly bringing snow on Thursday. It looks like this storm cycle will bring powderalert#17.

Powder Advice

This weekend you will find freshies high up in the Cascades but the snowlevel is pretty high. It remains colder inland where Montana, South Columbia and the Kootenays get several inches. Enough to fill up the fully tracked inbounds.

Where to go: check our recommendations.

Stay Stoked!
Morris

pa#17 is coming

Morris — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:34:37 +0000

But first we explore the Backcountry

Current situation

There aren’t much freshies to be found inbounds due to the sun the last days. You’ll have to go out of bounds to find some powder. Some Dutch wePowder members were touring on Rogers Pass yesterday. The snow is light and fluffy and they did some nice lines under a bluebird sky. Skitouring isn’t without danger, as mentioned on the website of Rogers Pass: All ski destinations in the park require knowledge of travel in avalanche terrain. Skiers are urged to wear avalanche transceivers and be prepared for self-rescue. So be prepared!

If you don’t have experience with the dangers of the backcountry, a cat or a heli are interesting (but expensive) ways to get some freshies. There will be a bluebird sky in the north till Tuesday and the combination of the sun and untracked, ***** deep powder, makes this a dreamtrip!

And we are living the dream at the moment. We are now in Revelstoke with CMH for some heliskiing. And yesterday we had our first day with bluebird and light fluffy powder on the north faces. At the start I was sceptical. Not to say very sceptical. I have done a lot of helitrips in Europe and allthough I had a great time, most of these trips never were in the list of 'best days to remember.' Only the days that we did classical high alpine descents (like the Marinelli Couloir) will never be forgotten.

After a 2 hours of safety training we got in the Helicopter and had our lift off. It was great. The quality of the snow, the young guide who was leading us, the terrain and most of all the lines we were able to ride. We had pillows, open tree runs, cliffs up to 8 meters and to much faceshots. I was impressed by the lines they were able to choose. A day to remember. Today it looks like we are having a bluebird day again and the heli is waiting for us to go up.

Short term

Sunny weather continues until Tuesday as the ridge over the west is blocking the storm activity from off the Pacific. The only chance for some freshies today is at the San Juan Mountains. A leftover of last week's storm is still hanging out there, resulting in winter weather and 4-8 inches of fresh snow.  
Tuesday a new storm will approach the coast and will begin to split and dive South towards the baja and North towards Coastal BC as it comes inland. For the south I expect this will bring a few inches (2-8). More to the north this storm will open a new period with storms moving in.

Powder regions: Coastal B.C., Pacific North West (North), Pre Alpine North & Rocky Mountains North.

Long term

It looks like this new storm will bring warm air to start with so snowlevels will go up. Thursday this storm will move inland pushing warm air into interior BC. So the start of the weekend might be wet with snowlevels rising. As of Saturday the jetstream is turning from southwest to west and temperatures will drop. From Monday on it is winter again. And if the jetstream will turn to a more northwest position than powderalert#17 might bring also snow to Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. To be continued.

Long term powder indication: North-West Coastal Range & Northern Rockies.

Powder Advice

Enjoy bluebird and powder in BC with some touring or cat and heli until Wednesday. Wednesday morning will bring some freshies in Tahoe.

Where to go: check our recommendations.

Stay Stoked!
Morris

New freshies!

Morris — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:13:41 +0000

Act quickly if you want some...

Current situation

The difference between the northern and southern parts of North America are growing by the day. This past weekend we spoke to Adam from BD at the ISPO in Munich, Germany. He told us conditions in Utah are in no way comparable to previous season and the snow deck is very instable when touring out of bounds. The same conditions apply to Colorado and in California it’s even worse. Time to head North!

This past weekend the North saw a lot of snow. The PNW is loaded, Jackson Hole just added 80 (!) inches of fresh to its total and the Canadian rockies have also gotten abundant snowfall. So what better time to get out there!

Short term

A new storm is pulling over Coastal BC and Washington today before continuing further onto the mainland. We are looking at 5-15 inches of fresh up to Thursday above 1500ft in Oregon, Coastal BC, Washington and the Canadian Rockies. The really good part? It’s moving towards the south-east, bringing snow to Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado!

The best moments to score powder will be Wednesady and Thursday in Oregon, Coastal BC, Washington and the Canadian Rockies. As of Thursday Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado will get their share, so on Friday morning you’ll definitely want to be there!

Powder regions: Coastal B.C., Pacific North West (North), Pacific North West (South), Pre Alpine North, Pre Alpine Central, Pre Alpine South, Rocky Mountains North, Rocky Mountains Central, Utah, Colorado North & San Juan Mountains.

Long term

With a high pressure area moving in a sunny weekend is in the cards for the entire North American continent. Not until late next week new storms will start rolling in, first with warmer air but later will lots of freshies. For the northern parts at least.

Long term powder indication: North-West Coastal Range & Northern Rockies.

Powder Advice

Make sure you’re in Oregon, Coastal BC, Washington or the Canadian rockies on Wednesday and Thursday. If you’re in Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado, it might be wise to cancel those Friday morning meetings if you want to beat the weekend warriors. It will be snowing here from Thursday and Friday will be a great day to score powder!

Where to go: check our recommendations.

Stay Stoked!
Morris