If you want to see some “real” skiing (i.e. not WROD), check out this October 6th shot from Snowbird, UT in the cirque:
The mountains are looking great – covered in snow above 10,000ft, with snow falling down to about 7,000ft earlier this week. Between now and Sunday, the plains and areas east of the divide are going to experience WINTER, with very cold air and some snow (yes, even on the plains). Here’s a summary:
- Wed = mostly sunny and warm except for high-elevation snow in the southern 1/2 of CO
- Thurs = cold and cloudy east of divide, few inches of snow on the plains, eastern foothills, and mtns along and north of I-70
- Fri = decent day for most of state, cool on plains with snow starting around 9pm in Denver
- Sat = few inches of snow Fri overnight on plains and northern front range mtns, clearing for most of state by afternoon
- Sun = another shot of cold air and few inches of snow for the northern 1/2 of CO and plains, then clearing
- Mon & Tue = normal, sunny autumn weather
WROD
In case you’ve been in a hole, I’ll remind you that the WROD opened at Loveland today and it opens on Friday at Abasin. What is the WROD? The “White Ribbon of Death”, of course.
http://www.arapahoebasin.com/ABasin/snow-conditions/web-cams.aspx
Not WROD
If you want to see some “real” skiing (i.e. not WROD), check out this October 6th shot from Snowbird, UT in the cirque:
http://www.snowbird.com/ski_board/photo.php?photo=1389
Searching for Snow
I went searching for some snow last night by moonlight on the trail to South Arapaho Peak in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, but there wasn’t quite enough to ski:
East-side Electric Slide
Why are the plains and eastern foothills going to get the brunt of the cold air and snow on Thursday and Friday night? It’s the “East-side Electric Slide” of course. A big storm over Hudson Bay is pulling cold air down from Canada. Most of this cold air will head into the plains as it slides to the east, but some of it will remain far enough west to affect Colorado. Since cold air is relatively heavy, it resists heading uphill (much like those folks who visit from Texas). This keeps most of the cold air confined to the lower plains and adjacent foothills, but some cold air will also spill into the mountains, especially on Saturday.
Base map from Google Maps. Illustration by Joel Gratz.
Electric Slide Models: http://www.phsbasketball.com/DOING%20THE%20ELECTRIC%20SLIDE.JPG
Make Me Babies
Let the good times roll on Saturday night for the Ski Areas! What? Abasin has night skiing? Nooo…but the Rockies will be losing to the Phillies on Saturday night in front of a national TV audience. And when it’s in the 20s to lower 30s Saturday night with some fresh snow around, the national audience will be led to believe that all of Colorado is a winter paradise and that they should book their ski vacations now! Nevermind that the weather at Coors Field is usually different than the weather in the mountains, or that it is likely we’ll have a warm-up between now and the true heart of ski season later this year. After seeing the game on Saturday night, couples from all over the world will be making reservations to come to Colorado for an unforgettable ski vacation and for the chance to “Make Me Babies“. (< check it out…it’s funny and safe for work)
JOEL
