Best snow?

[Maine-iac]

Hey everyone,

I am looking to do an epic backcountry ski trip this winter, and i am wondering where the BEST snow in the US will be. I will be heading out the 2nd and 3rd week in december. I had heard some things about the Lost River Range, Sawtooths, and possibly some stuff up near Nelson BC. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Bug]

Follow the jet stream.

There is no way to guess.

If I had to guess, I would go north.

Canadian Rockies.

[cj001f]

Mt. Hood, Glory Bowl, February 23rd at 4pm.

[JayB]

Are you planning to do a traverse, or day-trips from a lodge/hut?

[swaterfall]

IMO best snow in NA is usually in the Monashees

[RideT61]

I find it really hard to beat 25F Cascade Powder. Unfortunately one is more likely to find 35F Cascade crud.

Edited November 1, 2007 by RideT61

[Maine-iac]

We would be setting up a base camp, then doing either day trips out of it, or 3-4 day trips.

[jordop]

Hit or miss in December, man. You won't know until the week before if you'll have skiing ANYWHERE.

[G-spotter]

We would be setting up a base camp, then doing either day trips out of it, or 3-4 day trips.

 

EPIC!!!

[AlpineK]

At this point in the season I suggest doing a search for and reading Muir on Saturday It's very educational when it comes to early season skiing.

[G-spotter]

The best snow is the one having the most fun.

[cj001f]

The best snow is the one having the most fun.

 

So that's the Columbia snow snorted off the tits of hookers?

[JayB]

We would be setting up a base camp, then doing either day trips out of it, or 3-4 day trips.

 

The reason that I asked is that while the depth/extent of the snowpack that you'll have is a bit of a wild-card in December, as are the temperatures you'll be dealing with - the one thing that you can count on for certain is spending a hell of a lot of time in the dark. At Seattle's lattitude at that time of the year, you're looking at something like 7.5 hours between sunrise and sunset at the Winter solstice, which will probably fall right in the middle of the trip.

 

It'll be much easier to pass the time, and much more comfortable in a hut IMO. There are obviously no guarantees, but IMO you're more likely to encounter a deeper snowpack and warmer temps (though not necessarily better snow/weather) on a trip that falls somewhere between late February and early April, and you are certain to spend a hell of a lot less time in the dark. By the end of March, you're looking at ~13 hours between sunrise and sunset.

 

Changing the timing of the trip might not be an option, but if you have a choice, it might be worth considering and/or looking into a hut.

 

The odds of finding good snow in December at Roger's Pass in BC are probably as high as anywhere, and they have a couple of huts there (or so I hear). Not sure how the booking works, or if you have to reserve spots way in advance, but this area might be worth considering.

 

[jordop]

If you're in the Pass you're 30-40 mins from a $40 hotel room. Here's a shot of December 27th two years ago when there was 20cm of snow on the ground. You'll notice the absence of slopes in the photo. That's because in the Pass it is possible to have an extreme avalanche warning with 20cms of snow