Late Spring Snowstorm Hits the Rockies

A huge snowstorm has brought over a foot of fresh late-May snowfall to the Rocky Mountains a week after several ski areas in the region ended their 21-22 seasons early due to poor snow conditions.

Arapahoe Basin reported 16 inches (40cm) of fresh snowfall to start the weekend having staged a rail jam with skiers and boarders in T shirts and short a week ago. 

The wider region had also seen temperatures hitting 90F (32C) just 24 hours before the snowstorm arrived.

Winter Park also had its Mary Jane slopes open in Colorado for the final day of the season on Saturday, also reporting 16” (40cm) of snowfall.

A third area, Breckenridge, which had originally planned to stay open to the end of May, had shut down a week ago however, because of warm weather. Snowbird in Utah had done the same.

All pics Arapahoe Basin