Promising Forecast for Total Eclipse of the Slopes

Ski areas in North Eastern North America which are in the path of totality for the total solar eclipse on Monday afternoon currently have a fairly high chance of getting clear skies.

Totality will be for a slightly short duration than further south, where many eclipse watchers are heading, but ironically clearer skies currently look more promising further north.

Ski areas in New England and Quebec that are in or near the path of totality have begun issuing details of their operating plans with safety advice for skiers and riders on the slopes.

Some will already have closed for the season on Sunday, but most will still be open, particularly after many received several feet of fresh snow this week.  However, those that are open will generally cease lift operations for up to an hour around the time of totality, partly for safety but also to allow staff to observe the eclipse too.

Of course there is strict advice not to look directly at it unless wearing special eclipse glasses, which most are selling on site.     

Totality will last for around 2.5 to 3 minutes at around 3:30pm, near the end of the ski day for those in the region.  However, a partial eclipse of varying degrees will be visible from ski slopes across North America (about 65% from the slopes of Colorado, 50% from Utah, 35% from California and even about 20% from BC).

Many ski resorts in the path of totality have arranged events alongside the eclipse itself, with Pink Floyd cover bands playing Dark Side of the Moon organised for at least two resorts.

Resorts in the 124-mile-wide path of totality include Quebec’s Mont Tremblant, Mont Orford  and Mont Sutton among others. In the US, Sugarloaf in Maine and Jay Peak and Stowe in Vermont will also see totality.