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Winter Recap

"Great late start, crappy middle, banger finish" Jeff Newman

"My 3 year old is building confidence and always yelling “faster, faster” … but hoping she learns to turn before going any faster!" Ryan Thompson

"My Grandson had his last ski race then the cheering section got together for a run. Here we are together at the bottom." Bob Grubb

"She is starting to fall asleep saying, I wish we could go skiing tomorrow." Elizabeth Keating

Hello Powder Alert Fans,

We have one modest Cascade snow storm coming mid-week. Otherwise, there will be a little light snow possible on other days. Here is the forecast:

Monday and Tuesday – Minor light snow (trace -2”) cloudy SL: 3,000 ft.

Wednesday – Stormy with snow falling much of day - (3-8” new) SL:3,500 ft

Thursday – I like Thursday with a decrease in snow showers, but great leftovers (SL: 3,000 ft)

The rest of the week into the weekend: A drying trend, with more sun fewer snow showers toward the weekend. Next weekend looks mostly sunny

Short Term Discussion:

Hello skiers and snowboarders,

Light snow keeps falling in the Cascades and there is more on the way. But snow totals have been minor and snow levels lately have been variable. Snow levels will be fairly low and steady this week at 3,000-3,500ft with westerly air flow, producing mainly snow not rain. The snow pack is near to below normal. However, this late in the season a snowpack a bit below normal, is a substantial amount of snow (currently 5-10 feet).

Below is 24 snowfall forecast on Wednesday: 3-8".

I’ve been busy with snow field work, scouting out and skiing several ski areas lately – all to keep informed of the snow conditions. I think the last few weeks have been the best of the season. Spring skiing is usually good with typically the deepest snowpack of the season, good visibility with longer days and thin crowds. Also, a continued good mix of storms and sun, like this week. There are very few thin spots on the slopes and the overall snow coverage remains acceptable to good.

I enjoyed skiing at Stevens twice this past week with sunny skies. The week before I was making turns at Crystal with some of the clearest weather I have seen – I could see Mt Hood, OR to Mt Baker from the top of chair six. Before that, I was up at Whistler with perfect weather – a deep chill keeping the snow as “chalky” good at the top as the bottom, near at the Village.

In late April we are planning to have both a written and Zoom season wrap up and look ahead. It’s been a fickle snow season, with a good finish so far. I have high expectations for next season. At this point, if you are considering buying a pass for next season, it looks like we will switch to La Nina for 2024-25. La Nina, tends to favor abundant snowfall for the entire Pacific NW with cool and wet weather. That translates to low snow levels and robust snowfall in the mountains for next season. I will lean toward a normal to above snowpack for the 2024-25 season. As always, there are no guarantees, but I like the favorable odds.

Every ski area is different, but most start closing and or limiting operations in mid-April. Always check before going. But there should be plenty of snow, although there may be thin spots on the slopes with southern exposures and down on the lower slopes by mid-April. Bachelor and Whistler, typically stay open into May. I have skied both in late season many times with great results. I even skied a true deep powder day at Bachelor on Mothers Day, several years ago. The first two hours were fantastic - then the high May sunshine baked it. It got very heavy by late morning.

Always the best.

The Imperial and Distinguished Grand Poobah of Powder

(aka Dear Leader – make that, Dearest Leader)

Larry Schick - meteorologist

Forward this to a Powder friend.

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