NOAA Winter Predictions are out

[Johnny Law]

Accuweather sucks balls, I swear they have some deal with the grocery industry to hype bs so Suzie and Dick Chapstick buy up all the bread and milk.

 

NOAA on the other hand is filled with actual scientists who know what they are talking about

 

Link - http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20111020_winteroutlook.html

 

Relevant for PA

 

"If enough cold air and moisture are in place, areas north of the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast could see above-average snow"

 

I think the AO is going to bomb out super negative and the NAO is going to set up block for Jan and Feb, combine that with the extra moisture from GW and best season in a long time.

[Ride Delaware ?]

I'll take it... River, Loaf, and SB avg 180", 235", and 225" respectively. 4 years ago they were all like 30% over that... I would take anything over average, but another year like that would be awesome lol

[Justo8484]

in theory, this would be a great year to hit the PNW... but in theory, last year was too, and i rode in rain comparable to what we had here when everything in southeastern PA flooded for days. that said, utah is looking like average temps and above average precip. sounds like january and february should be pretty on point there again. from what i get out of that report though, the mid atlantic is looking at average, unless the AO dips down and rocks us. all said and done, i need more vacation days.

[sibhusky]

in theory, this would be a great year to hit the PNW... but in theory, last year was too, and i rode in rain comparable to what we had here when everything in southeastern PA flooded for days. that said, utah is looking like average temps and above average precip. sounds like january and february should be pretty on point there again. from what i get out of that report though, the mid atlantic is looking at average, unless the AO dips down and rocks us. all said and done, i need more vacation days.

 

Well, last year the prediction was for slightly ABOVE average temps, whereas this year the prediction is below average temps.

 

And I don't remember ANY rain here, it's colder if you go inland further. You went to the wrong place. Tell me what dates you went and I'll check my extensive documentation here and tell you what was happening.

[Justo8484]

Well, last year the prediction was for slightly ABOVE average temps, whereas this year the prediction is below average temps.

 

And I don't remember ANY rain here, it's colder if you go inland further. You went to the wrong place. Tell me what dates you went and I'll check my extensive documentation here and tell you what was happening.

 

don't remember the specific dates, but it was mid-late january, like around the 20th-ish. up til about 2 days out, the forecast was calling for feet of snow down to like 3000 feet, and then the freezing level rose up to about 6000, and feet of snow turned into inches of rain really quickly.

[sibhusky]

We had a lot of FOG about then. Most of my notes are talking about visibility. Time to hit the trees!!! We also had snow, but apparently it was of the heavy variety. But, it was snow. There is discussion of losing 4.5 pounds from the time I got up to when I got home. Must have been WORK. By the 20th, things were actually IMPROVING (in fact on the 21st, I have it noted as a day to remember), as opposed to shortly before that (must been then that you were here.) Later in the season there are multiple notes about it being the "best day" of my ski life and trying to decide if each one was better than the other "best" one.

 

Check the forecasts for Feb-Mar going forward, our temps are supposed to start dropping.

Edited October 21, 2011 by sibhusky

[toast21602]

in theory, this would be a great year to hit the PNW... but in theory, last year was too, and i rode in rain comparable to what we had here when everything in southeastern PA flooded for days. that said, utah is looking like average temps and above average precip. sounds like january and february should be pretty on point there again. from what i get out of that report though, the mid atlantic is looking at average, unless the AO dips down and rocks us. all said and done, i need more vacation days.

 

great beer trip with a little skiing... lets do Utah late january.

[Johnny Law]

in theory, this would be a great year to hit the PNW... but in theory, last year was too, and i rode in rain comparable to what we had here when everything in southeastern PA flooded for days.

 

That hurts, I remember the TR thinking you guys would get eyeball deep pow...alas that is the PNW, feast or famine.....

 

Ut is due, the last few have been decent but nothing crazy....

[sibhusky]

Presumably Big Sky?

[Ride Delaware ?]

Im just hoping Sunday River gets dumped on... And then Saddleback... I've never been, but from the pictures I've seen, I can imagine that will be my mountain away from home lol

[sibhusky]

I've never been, but Discovery is supposed to be terrific in terms of true double black territory: http://www.skidiscov..._Map_Rumsey.jpg, http://www.epicski.c...discovery-basin, http://www.epicski.c...ea/reviews/1097

 

Naturally, Doug never lists this (Whitefish) area because he's never been here. But, you can see plenty of what is here in my "Local's Guide". Just remember it's NOT a casual trip up here from Big Sky. It'll be a day of driving up and another back. Unlike Discovery, there IS a nightlife in Whitefish. I know because I have a 24 year old living with me.

 

Bridger Bowl has some well-regarded stuff opened up for the shovel and beacon crowd, but much of their terrain has the same issue as Camelback: starts out steep then a relatively flat run to the base area. Plus, most of the lifts are slow as can be. Same with Montana Snowbowl in Missoula, at least in regard to the lifts. They have some incredibly gnarly stuff, but there is little "run out". You'd need a local guide there (Snowbowl) to find the good stuff, I think. You might want to look at Moonlight as long as you'll be down at Big Sky anyway. Big Sky is HUGE, in and of itself. It is also pricey compared to anything else in Montana. It feels very "Deer Valley" to me. But, they have a huge breadth of terrain there to keep anyone happy. Just be prepared for base damage. They have these damn rocks that work their way up through the snow and are really hard on your skis, even on nicely-groomed runs. They are sort of famous for that. I had to spend $85 on base repair after my last visit and since the lift tickets are really expensive (even with my "in state" discount) I was pretty torked about it.

Edited October 23, 2011 by sibhusky

[sibhusky]

Than Utah? Yes. But, remember we are considerably north of Big Sky. And we get less sun, so the snow stays nice way beyond what would happen down at Big Sky. Bridger's "cold smoke" is so light it's blown off by the end of the day. Ours is just heavy enough to stay put, but light enough to ski through easily. You'll find nice stashes in the trees days and days after the storm.

 

Check the videos here.

Edited October 23, 2011 by sibhusky

[sibhusky]

At the rate you're going you're gonna be 10 years older when you do.

[Johnny Law]

most likely, but whitefish isnt out of the question. any other montana resorts you think are worth checking out? i know doug likes bridger bowl

 

Bridger for sure and check out Lost Trail, sick mtn, its the Powder Mtn of Montana.

 

Also Turner is only open on the weekends & Friday, so if it snows on Tuesday you know where to be if you want pow three days later.

[sibhusky]

Bridger for sure and check out Lost Trail, sick mtn, its the Powder Mtn of Montana.

 

Also Turner is only open on the weekends & Friday, so if it snows on Tuesday you know where to be if you want pow three days later.

 

Turner is even FURTHER for him than Whitefish. If he's not up to driving up here, then what makes you think he'll want to drive an extra 1.5 hours or more? Lost Trail is way closer, but still not an "out and back" in the same day. I think if the parents are in charge, he'll be sticking to Bridger/Moonlight/Big Sky. That is way more than enough to keep him busy, believe me.

[sibhusky]

And, apparently, we are on the Australian radar as an "up and coming" (sheesh, the place has been here since the 40's....) resort.

Edited October 24, 2011 by sibhusky

[sibhusky]

For those wishing to know more about Turner, here is a recent article. Maybe Atomic can rent it for the day.

[Ride Delaware ?]

For those wishing to know more about Turner, here is a recent article. Maybe Atomic can rent it for the day.

You can rent Plattekill midweek for like $2,500 lol

[toast21602]

You can rent Plattekill midweek for like $2,500 lol

 

THAT'S what we should do for a PASR family and friends day. Rent out a mountain. what a freaking shit-show that would be.

[RootDKJ]

THAT'S what we should do for a PASR family and friends day. Rent out a mountain. what a freaking shit-show that would be.

I'd take a day off of work for that.

[toast21602]

I'd take a day off of work for that.

 

if we just find 50 people to pay $50 for the mountain to yourself it can be done.... i know i could find that many. the more you have, the cheaper it is. sounds like a blast to me.

[RyanPhillip]

THAT'S what we should do for a PASR family and friends day. Rent out a mountain. what a freaking shit-show that would be.

 

Someone make that happen this winter! Plattekill PASR day....

Edited October 28, 2011 by Night Rider

[vinnyv11]

Oh god. Should we have medics on staff for that day. Someone very well may die.

[Shadows]

ill drive back for that. bring a bunch of sfrb.