US Resorts Stress Safety With Most Snow For Two Decades

The latest storms to hit the US West (in a series that have been continuing to move in from the Pacific for early two months now) has taken snowfall totals to date to the greatest for this point of the season in almost two decades at some areas.

Almost all ski resorts are continue to stress the resulting practical and safety issues of all the snow and urging patience and sensible precautions are taken.

In Utah Alta ski area said it has reached the 400 inch (10 metres) season-to-date snowfall total with 6 feet/1.8 metres in the last week, while nearby Solitude ski area posted that it’s been 18 years since they’ve reached 350” of snow this early in the season.

In California Kirkwood Mountain Resort reports 80 inches (2 metres) in the last week, pretty much the same as the previous week and issued this warning.

“Now, we know that gets us all excited, but we really want to remind everyone of the safety concerns. With snow this deep, the tree wells are getting huge. Please ski with a buddy and bring a beacon, shovel, and probe if you can. We all need to look out for each other in these conditions. Be aware of your surroundings in the base area. The snow stacking up on roofs can fall off in big bunches, enough to severely injure or bury you. Wear reflective gear and use lights when walking around at night. Snow removal has a big job on their hands and making yourself visible at night helps a lot.”

Mammoth Mountain (pictured) is posting the world’s deepest snowpack with 660cm (22 feet) of snow lying up top.  It posted,

“The latest storm dropped 8-10” of snow overnight with snowfall in the forecast all day. Please plan accordingly as travel continues to be difficult across town and lift operations will be limited due to wind and weather. Extensive avalanche control work is taking place across the mountain today. We expect to open lower mountain lifts at all base lodges first this morning, then work to expand terrain as conditions allow.”