If you live anywhere out West you know how bad the last five winters were. Each season saw below average snowfall, and in some record low snowfall (looking at you 2014/15). That string of bad winters make this one even more special. As of today, April 29, 2017 our season total stands at 586” with a snow depth of 160”. In just the last four days, we have received 55” of snow. We are set up for a very long spring riding season.
A lot of people get burned out on winter this time of year and want the snow to melt so they can do summer activities. However, there are no guarantees that next season will be this good. I’m sure news outlets will start revving up the hype machine for next winter soon saying we can expect another great season because it will be an El Nino winter, even though there is absolutely zero correlation between an El Nino winter and amount of snowfall we will see in the Wasatch. We all need to appreciate what we have right now, a deep snowpack at the end of April for the first time since 2011.
To hell with summer activities! To hell with thinking about next winter! Get out there and enjoy the rest of this season! Spring touring will be prime for several more months. Snowbird is still open, and won’t be closing anytime soon (there’s still a chance at 4
th of July lift served turns). Over in the Sierras, Mammoth and Squaw have already extended their seasons to the 4
th. Squaw might even stay open till Spring 2018.
Get out there and ride! Make skiing or snowboarding your summer activity this year. See how many months in a row you can make turns in. Cross off that line on your hit list that hasn't been in play for the past five years! Most importantly, don’t take this season for granted.
