Colorado Ski Country Snow Totals So Far This February

The Colorado Rockies Were Pounded with Feet of Snow 

Pretty much anywhere you go in Colorado, you'll find fresh snow. The latest storm cycle as delivered FEET upon FEET of snow to Colorado Ski Country USA member resorts. A strong Jet Stream and a very wet plume of moisture originating from the Hawaiian Islands led to these huge snow totals. 

Here's a look at the snow totals that we have seen from February 1st to February 11th.
Below is a list of all of CSCUSA member ski areas and the amount of snow they've received this month alone.

A-Basin - 47"

Aspen Highlands - 21"

Aspen Mountain - 20"

Aspen Buttermilk - 13"

Cooper - 36"

Copper - 55"

Echo - 23"

Eldora - 48"

Granby - 38"

Hesperus - 0"

Howelson Hill - 23"

Kendall Mountain - 0"

Loveland - 63"

Monarch - 21"

Powderhorn - 4"

Purgatory - 11"

Silverton - 46"

Snowmass - 22"

Steamboat - 44"

Sunlight - 29"

Telluride - 18"

Winter Park - 50"

Wolf Creek - 32"

There is more snow coming

With an active pattern continuing through the next 10 days, these snow totals will be added to and will also help increase of snowpack which is sitting at very healthy levels as we head into the Spring season. 

Snowpack as of February 11, 2020

This snowpack is obviously good for Colorado's water supply and those downstream but it is also beneficial in keeping some ski areas open longer into Spring. Most ski areas will begin to close in April with some closing in March but this snow may help to elongate that season for some. 

With Fresh Snow Comes Some Dangers 

So much fresh snow is great to ski and ride on but you need to remember that avalanche danger goes way up during times like these. This latest storm cycle carried a lot of moisture with it and that is leading to the recent feet of snow weighing quite a bit. The weight of this snow could lead to avalanches. In fact, according to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), there were 130 avalanches reported from February 7-9, 2020. 

Also, getting stuck in tree wells is a safety concern that many might not know about. Due to the canopy of the trees, near the base of the tree trunk is usually very limited snow cover. Meanwhile, just outside of the canopy, there could be feet of snow cover. If you fall into a tree well, it is normally very difficult to get out of and sometimes, getting stuck in a tree well leads to suffocation. Be safe and stay smart out there. 

~Rain or shine

  I'm Andy Stein