Snow report for Jan. 31, 2024

Northwest Wyoming had a similar modest snow flurry late last week, and then the skies cleared to continue through Thursday. For the weekend, snow returns, with about 10 inches forecast for the slopes at Grand Targhee and six inches over Teton Pass at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

To the south in Colorado, available ski terrain continues to increase, but remains below 100% at most ski areas. Skiers and riders at Steamboat can expect nine inches of new snow over this upcoming weekend. The snowpack in that area is at 102% of average for the season.

The forecast for the slopes at Winter Park is for a dump of 16 inches this weekend. The snowpack there is at 110% of average for the season.

Personnel at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center report the avalanche danger for the southern Wyoming and northern Colorado mountains is rated “moderate” at all elevations. Evaluate and select terrain carefully. Unless you are sure there is more than four feet of constant snow, stick to areas with slopes less than 30 degrees.

At Keystone, near Rob Roy Reservoir, there has been a total of 96 inches of snow so far this season, according to Don Day Jr. at dayweather.com. This is the same as the report last week. According to Open Snow, the snowpack in the Snowy Range is 81% of average for this time of year, a decrease of four percentage points since last week.

Snow depths “up top” in the Snowy Range remain below average, but there’s plenty of snow for snowmobilers, skiers and snowshoers. After the recent blue skies and lack of fresh powder, expect new fluff this weekend.

Backcountry skiers report very good to excellent conditions going up Libby Creek out of Green Rock Trailhead. The ski routes are user-packed, with more snow in the forecast this weekend.

The lower trails at Corner Mountain, Little Laramie and going down the Barber Lake Trail are in good condition and should get better heading into the weekend.

Conditions are good to very good at Chimney Park and along the Medicine Bow Rail Trail. There’s been grooming, with some classic tracks set on the connector to the Rail Trail. The Porter Loop was also groomed, but expect to ski that route out-and-back due to a downed tree blocking the route for grooming equipment at the far end.

Conditions on the Nordic ski trails at the Happy Jack Recreation Area are good, with grooming underway daily. In spite of the warm and sunny weather, there’s been just enough new snow to provide good conditions for both skate and classic techniques. Expect a busy trailhead this weekend with the Pole Mountain Shuffle ski race starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. This free event is put on by the Medicine Bow Nordic Association, with information and online registration at their website (medicinebownordic.org). This Sunday marks the first session of the Wee Ski and Kid Ski programs. Expect crowded conditions around the Tie City Trailhead from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The classes run every Sunday in February.

The multi-use trails are packed and in good condition for those running, fat biking and snowshoeing. The Crow Creek loop is left in a more “natural” condition, with minimal mechanic grooming; it is best for hiking or snowshoeing.

As of Tuesday morning, the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service snow measuring station reports 34 inches of snow at Cinnabar Park, a three-inch decrease from last week. The station at Brooklyn Lake reports 44 inches, a decrease of four inches from last week. The report at Sand Lake on the north end of the Medicine Bow Mountains is 49 inches, a decrease of three inches from last week. The measuring station at Medicine Bow Peak, at an elevation of 10,500 feet, reports 62 inches, a decrease of two inches from last week. The Crow Creek station on Pole Mountain shows eight inches, a decrease of an inch from last week.

Cross-country skiing

Pole Mountain/Happy Jack Recreation Area Nordic ski trails: Conditions on the Nordic trails are good, with decent coverage, although the base is thin. Daily grooming is underway.

Pole Mountain/Happy Jack Recreation Area Multi-use trails: Conditions are very good, but could be soft with the warm temperatures, especially in trail sections exposed to the sunshine.

Chimney Park Nordic ski trails: The trails have good to very good conditions, with some recent grooming, including classic tracks on several routes.

Snowy Range backcountry conditions: Excellent conditions, with the trails user-packed and suitable for skiers and snowshoers. Expect new snow this weekend.

Snowmobile conditions

Snowy Range: There’s plenty of snow, although the snowpack remains below normal for this time of year. Expect new snow through the weekend.

Quick Numbers

Wyoming downhill areas

Snowy Range Ski Area: 41-inch base; 5 lifts, 33 trails and 100% of terrain open.

Antelope Butte: 14-inch base; no additional information available.

Grand Targhee: 73-inch base; 3 lifts, 90 trails and 95% of terrain open.

Hogadon: 25-inch base; open Wed. to Sun.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort: 61-inch base; 13 lifts, 117 trails and 89% of terrain open.

Meadowlark Ski Area: 18-inch base; 2 lifts, 9 trails and 64% of terrain open.

Sleeping Giant: Closed this season.

Snow King: 31-inch base; 8 lifts, 41 trails and 87% of terrain open.

White Pine: 22-inch base; 2 lifts, 22 trails and 76% of terrain open.

Colorado downhill areas

Arapahoe Basin: 47-inch base; 9 lifts, 121 trails and 83% of terrain open.

Breckenridge: 45-inch base; 33 lifts, 167 trails and 88% of terrain open.

Copper Mountain: 48-inch base; 22 lifts, 155 trails and 100% of terrain open.

Eldora: 28-inch base; 10 lifts, 64 trails and 98% of terrain open.

Keystone: 44-inch base; 21 lifts, 140 trails and 98% of terrain open.

Loveland: 40-inch base; 9 lifts, 73 trails and 78% of terrain open.

Steamboat: 76-inch base; 23 lifts, 180 trails and 99% of terrain open.

Vail: 50-inch base; 33 lifts, 275 trails and 100% of terrain open.

Winter Park: 61-inch base; 20 lifts, 155 trails and 92% of terrain open.