SnowBrains Forecast: Feet of Pow in the PacNW | Active Pattern Starts Tuesday Night Forecast by SnowBrains Meteorologist Nathan Tarino Last Updated 3 PM MST December 21st Forecast Summary Riding conditions are already pretty good across the Pacific Northwest after 8-16″ of snow fell over the last couple of days. Conditions will only improve as a parade of storms keeps the flakes falling almost constantly across the region through this weekend and beyond. The […] Weather Nathan Tarino | December 21, 2021 0 Comments
1 Killed and 5 Buried in Avalanche in Closed Backcountry Area of Crystal Mountain, WA A 66-year-old man was killed and five others buried after an avalanche struck their party just outside Crystal Mountain Resort, WA. A foot of snow had fallen on the area in the previous 24-hours, and wind gusts were as high as 100-mph. On Saturday morning, December 11, a party of six backcountry tourers were traveling uphill in a closed section of […] Avalanche AvyBrains | December 13, 2021 3 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: Pattern Change Out West; Feet of Snow Expected Forecast By SnowBrains Chief Meteorologist – Eric McNamee 8:35 PM MST, 12/5/2021 Forecast Summary: FEET of snow is expected across the western US over the next week as a major pattern change occurs. The extremely dry November over the west looks to hopefully change going into December as a long-wave trough develops. Different regions of the west will see rounds […] Weather Eric McNamee | December 5, 2021 0 Comments
Cause for Optimism in Washington | 5-10″ of Snow For the Washington Cascades This Weekend Forecast By SnowBrains Meteorologist Nathan Tarino UPDATED: 7:00 PM MST 12/3/21 Forecast Summary Recently, a warm and wet pattern has steadily eaten away at the snowpack in the Northern Cascades. Despite massive rainfall in the lowlands, resorts have been forced to delay opening dates as snow levels have retreated to the highest elevations. Fortunately, cooler weather is finally in the […] Weather Nathan Tarino | December 3, 2021 0 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: 6-8″ of Snow For Most PNW Resorts Through Tuesday, Bigger Totals in Higher Elevations Forecast By SnowBrains Chief Meteorologist – Eric McNamee 1:50 PM MST, 11/22/2021 Forecast Summary: A shortwave trough will move through the Pacific Northwest Monday/Tuesday and bring 6-8″ of snow to most resorts, with deeper totals higher in elevation. Snow will initially start falling Monday afternoon as colder air moves into the region and continue through Tuesday. Showers will taper off […] Weather Eric McNamee | November 22, 2021 0 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: 2 Storms for the Washington Cascades This Week Bringing 10-20″ Fresh Snow Forecast by SnowBrains Meteorologist Rowan Sullivan 6:00 AM MST – November 15th, 2021 Forecast Summary An atmospheric river has been soaking the Pacific Northwest for the past few days. Warm temperatures aloft have precluded much mountain snow thus far, but a cold front passing through Monday afternoon will change that. Heavy snow will fall Monday evening and night, with snow […] Weather Nathan Tarino | November 15, 2021 0 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: Parade of Storms to Bring Up To 20″ Snow to the Cascades Forecast by SnowBrains Meteorologist Rowan Sullivan 4:20 a.m. MST 11/4/2021 Forecast Summary: The first storm in a series of many will arrive in the Pacific Northwest Thursday afternoon. Warm temperatures initially will keep snow levels above pass levels through Thursday before lowering to 4,000 ft. by Friday and 3,000 ft. through the weekend. This will be sufficiently low for some […] Weather Nathan Tarino | November 4, 2021 0 Comments
To Preserve the Mountain Experience Crystal Mountain, WA, to Charge For Weekend Parking In an announcement last week, Crystal Mountain, WA revealed that to preserve the mountain experience they need to reduce car volume, encourage carpooling, provide free shuttle services, and, consequently, reduce their carbon footprint. For these reasons, they’ve shifted their lots to paid parking on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Free parking is included with the purchase of a season’s pass, and […] Industry News SnowBrains | October 8, 2021 0 Comments
What a Difference a Week Makes: Webcam Images Show Mount Rainier, WA Before and After Snowfall Webcam images taken just a week apart show the difference a couple of days of snowfall has made to Mount Rainier, WA. The first image (above) was taken from Crystal Mountain Resort’s webcam on September 14th after a hot and dry summer. The next image (below), from the same webcam a week later, shows a resplendent Mount Rainier donned in her […] SnowBrains | September 23, 2021 1 Comment
Crystal Mountain Resort, WA, to Open Again for 6th Bonus Weekend Just when you thought it was all over, they pull you back in! Crystal Mountain Resort, WA, announced Tuesday that they will be opening for yet another bonus weekend, their sixth, June 11-13. Related: There Are 3 Ski Resorts Open in North America This Weekend Get ready for yet another weekend of bonus skiing and riding! Green Valley is open this […] Industry News SnowBrains | June 10, 2021 0 Comments
Crystal Mountain, WA to Open June 4-6 For 5th Bonus Weekend If you want to continue resort skiing, the guys at Crystal Mountain, WA, have your back. They announced yesterday that they will reopen, again, for yet another bonus weekend of skiing this upcoming weekend. Ski and ride into #Pride Month! We’re excited to announce another weekend on Green Valley, open this Friday, Saturday and Sunday for our fifth bonus weekend […] Industry News SnowBrains | June 2, 2021 0 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: 6-18″ of Snow For The Cascades Through Tomorrow, Dry Next Week Forecast By SnowBrains Meteorologist – Eric McNamee 11:35 AM MST, 4/9/2021 Forecast Summary: A shortwave trough will move through the PNW today and tomorrow, bringing 6-18″ of snow along the Cascades. Snow will pick up in intensity tonight, become showery tomorrow, and then taper off by Sunday morning. Conditions look to clear out and remain dry through next week as […] Weather Eric McNamee | April 9, 2021 0 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: 6-20″ of Snow For The Cascades Through Tomorrow, More This Weekend Forecast By SnowBrains Meteorologist – Eric McNamee 12:15 PM MST, 4/7/2021 Forecast Summary: A shortwave trough will move through the PNW today, bringing 6-20″ of snow along the Cascades. Snow will pick up in intensity this evening before tapering off tomorrow afternoon. There will be a slight break in the action before another trough moves into the region Friday night. […] Weather Eric McNamee | April 7, 2021 0 Comments
Pacific Northwest 2020-2021 Season Closing Dates As the end of March is before us, it is time to start thinking about spring skiing in the Pacific Northwest, and depending on where you are, you may have only a week or so to cram in those final ski days this season. But don’t worry, if you know where to look, you maybe be skiing into the summer […] Industry News Liam Abbott | March 30, 2021 2 Comments
What are the 9 Prettiest Ski Areas in North America? North America is full of stunning mountain ranges from the Appalachians to the Chugach Range in Alaska. Each range is unique with distinguishing characteristics that make them all beautiful in their own way. There are countless ski areas with gorgeous views and we all have our own opinions about which is the prettiest. Many more resorts could arguably make the list. […] Brains Dominic Gawel | March 17, 2021 6 Comments
The Top 15 Biggest North American Snowfall Totals Right Now Snowfall totals brought to you by 10 Barrel Brewing Co. Updated on Monday, March 15, 2021 The last month of skiing and riding in the West has been awesome. Utah has gained over 100 inches since mid-February along with many other resorts throughout the Pacific Northwest and West. Alaska is no longer #1 in terms of snowfall. Meanwhile, Denver just […] Industry News SnowBrains | March 15, 2021 24 Comments
Crystal Mountain, WA Announces They’re Extending Their Season into May Thanks in no small part to the insane amount of snow the PNW has received this winter, Crystal Mountain in Washington announced yesterday that they will be extending their season. We are excited to announce that we will be extending the ski and snowboard season this year! We will continue to operate daily until Sunday, April 18th, AND we’ll also […] Industry News SnowBrains | March 5, 2021 0 Comments
Crystal Mountain, WA Limiting Access to Terrain Due to 6-8 Foot Deep Avalanches In and Around the Resort A note from the Avalanche Mitigation Director, Mike Haft, at Crystal Mountain, WA: The Pacific Northwest has had an incredible winter so far. Regionally, our mountain snowpack is at 140%. Northwest flow, driven by a strong jet has contributed to some of the best skiing and riding conditions I have seen in years. As the Avalanche Mitigation Director at Crystal […] Avalanche AvyBrains | March 2, 2021 0 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: More Snow For The Northwest, 1-4 Feet Falling Through Saturday Forecast By SnowBrains Meteorologist – Eric McNamee 12:10 PM MST, 2/24/2021 A series of shortwave troughs will move the northwestern US through Saturday, bringing 1-4 FEET snow, with higher amounts in the High Cascades. Snow levels are expected to remain below pass level with colder air already in place. Another system will move through briefly Sunday/Monday. Conditions are expected to […] Weather Eric McNamee | February 24, 2021 0 Comments
SnowBrains Forecast: 1-3 Feet of Snow For The Northwest US Through Wednesday Forecast By SnowBrains Meteorologist – Eric McNamee 11:10 AM MST, 2/22/2021 Forecast Summary: An atmospheric river event will take place in the northwestern US through Wednesday, bringing 1-3 FEET snow, with higher amounts in the High Cascades. Snow levels will start out at high elevations due to the warm air mass associated with the atmospheric river. Once colder air moves […] Weather Eric McNamee | February 22, 2021 0 Comments