Weather
Colorado is set to return to a more active pattern this week, with two primary storm systems poised to deliver fresh powder across the state. Conditions will start dry and mild this weekend before turning increasingly unsettled by Monday evening, especially across central and northern regions. The first storm arrives Monday night into Tuesday, bringing colder temperatures, breezy conditions, and moderate snowfall primarily favoring the central and northern mountains. After a brief midweek break, another system rolls in on Thursday and Friday, promising additional snow and better moisture content. Overall, the best powder chasing will likely be found across the central mountains, with resorts like Winter Park, Vail, and Loveland positioned for the most substantial totals and notably high-quality snowfall.
Sunday Disturbance – The weekend concludes with a relatively weak disturbance moving across southern Colorado late Saturday night through Sunday morning. This system is moisture-starved, resulting in only minimal impacts, primarily confined to a dusting or an inch or two at best in the southern San Juans and Sangre de Cristo ranges. Most ski areas will experience increased cloud cover, keeping Sunday morning mild, but not much snowfall. Snow levels remain elevated with limited accumulations and generally minimal skiing impacts.
Monday Night–Tuesday Storm – A stronger, more impactful system arrives late Monday, tracking from the Great Basin into western Colorado. Snowfall initiates Monday evening across the Continental Divide and spreads eastward overnight, continuing through Tuesday. Northern and central Colorado mountains, especially resorts like Winter Park, Vail, Loveland, and Steamboat, are favored for moderate snow accumulations. Snow ratios during this period look excellent, generally ranging from 13:1 to as high as 17:1, indicating notably fluffy, high-quality powder. Expect widespread totals ranging from 5 to 11 inches for the higher elevations, with locally heavier amounts possible in favored spots. Gusty winds will accompany this system, potentially impacting exposed upper slopes, but overall conditions look favorable for powder chasing.
Wednesday Break & Thursday–Friday Storm – A transient ridge brings brief relief from snowfall on Wednesday, allowing skiers to enjoy fresh powder conditions under partly sunny skies. By late Wednesday night, the next storm approaches, moving in with enhanced moisture and delivering a second round of snowfall through Thursday and Friday. This storm appears somewhat wetter and possibly denser initially, with snow-liquid ratios starting in the 10-13:1 range before improving significantly Thursday night into Friday to around 14-17:1. Wolf Creek, Telluride, and Crested Butte could see meaningful accumulations from this second wave, enhancing their late-week powder opportunities.
Extended Outlook: The unsettled pattern continues into the 6–14-day period, with another trough expected late next week into the weekend, potentially maintaining cool and snowy conditions for Colorado’s mountains. Long-range signals indicate temperatures trending near to slightly below normal, with continued active weather likely, keeping periodic snowfall chances alive well into mid-March.
Resort Forecast Totals
- Winter Park – 9-18” total (6-11” Mon night (03/03) – Wed (03/05) + 3-7” Wed night (03/05) – Fri (03/07))
- Vail/Beaver Creek – 7-17” total (5-10” Mon night (03/03) – Wed (03/05) + 2-7” Thu (03/06) – Fri (03/07))
- Wolf Creek – 7-16” total (2-4” Mon (03/03) – Tue (03/04) + 5-12” Wed night (03/05) – Fri (03/07))
- Snowmass – 6-15” total (4-8” Mon (03/03) – Tue night (03/04) + 2-7” Wed night (03/05) – Fri (03/07))
- Loveland/Arapahoe Basin – 7-15” total (5-9” Mon night (03/03) – Wed (03/05) + 2-6” Wed night (03/05) – Fri (03/07))
- Telluride – 6-14” total (3-6” Mon (03/03) – Tue night (03/04) + 3-8” Wed night (03/05) – Fri (03/07))
- Steamboat – 5-12” total (3-7” Mon night (03/03) – Wed (03/05) + 2-5” Thu (03/06) – Fri (03/07))
- Crested Butte – 4-10” total (1-3” Mon (03/03) – Tue (03/04) + 3-7” Wed night (03/05) – Fri (03/07))
- Copper Mountain/Breckenridge – 3-7” total (2-4” Mon night (03/03) – Tue night (03/04) + 1-3” Thu (03/06) – Fri (03/07))
- Monarch – 1-4” Thu (03/06) – Fri (03/07)
