Whistler Wakes Up To 50cm Snow, Alpine Lifts Closed
Whistler Blackcomb, BC, is deep right now, according to the snow forecasting and storm chasing service Powderchasers.
18 inches in the last 12 hours, 20 inches in the last 2 days, and 24 inches this week. With a base depth of 71 inches, Whistler Blackcomb has received 117 inches so far this season--not bad, especially considering their dry start, with skiers and riders posting footage of trails brown due to the lack of snow.
It has been a legendary comeback.
Today, Whistler's Alpine Forecast synopsis reads, "a system moves through the region today, bringing snowfall, at times heavy today into tonight with freezing levels near 1400 m this afternoon."
"Snow should ease early tomorrow morning, with some partial clearing in the morning. Total snowfall amounts of 25-35 cm (isolated up to 50 cm possible) are expected by tomorrow morning. Isolated flurries are expected to follow into tomorrow night."
"Moderate to strong ridgetop winds are also expected through tonight, then easing to light to moderate tomorrow into the weekend. Next, a frontal system is expected to reach the area late this week bringing further periods of snow Friday into Saturday."
"Finally, a series of impulses courtesy of an unsettled pattern is then expected to isolated to scattered flurries late this weekend into early next week."
Right now, Whistler's Patrol team is doing avalanche mitigation work, but this will allow terrain to open safely as soon as possible. The resort asks skiers to respect closures and not ski outside of established terrain (that includes uphill).
If I were at Whistler, I'd try to hit the window of skiing tomorrow morning and Sunday for the best visibility and fresh pow. Then again, if you just ski as many hours as you can every day, you'll get all the best conditions.
Did someone say Spanky's Ladder?
Related: New England's Largest Ski Expansion Is Officially Open
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