Pack your bags for Plan B this week - the rain is here!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by st3 on February 23, 2009 at 4:27pm

I don't know what to say. I am from east coast, and I just missed a 3 foot storm in Maine, because I'm goin to the boat from 2/28-3/7. My board is prop is the mid-west gettin shipped right now and not bein used.

Never been out West to have to ride in rain/slushy conditions the whole week. yea.

I'm gonna stay positive, b/c it says its gonna snow 5-10 above 9,000 feet. that is pretty much, the top of the mtn, but...

Figures

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kup on February 23, 2009 at 4:41pm

I knew it!!!! My family is always jinxed when it comes to family vacations. I said it back in Dec that I thought our jinx would be only getting no snow our week, not freakin rain!!!! ugggggg!!!!!!! Rest assured, if we come back to the boat, it'll be in January, and I dare the gods to rain in the boat in January!!!

As for this coming week, and trying to play the optimist card, that link someone had for the forecast for the top of Mt Werner, it doesnt show any highs above high 20s for the coming week - so I would assume that means snow, if any, and not rain.

I do wonder how far down the snow goes, until it goes over to rain - My uneducated guess would say half way - but I assume its based on how warm the base is, and if winds are rising up the mt., etc.

I guess we'll just make the best of it, and take it with a grain of salt. I did some skiing in the low 40s around here last month, and it was doable, just not the best a person could hope for in a trip that cost several thousands of dollars.

The only thing that I'm quite sure of, and take it to the bank - guaranteeed, that the week after we leave (after 3/3), the boat will get a major dump of at least 12 inches in a day in that first week of March.

Oh well, tomorrow's our flight - at least we wont have to worry about deicing the wings of the airplane.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matt on February 23, 2009 at 5:37pm

I do hope that any moisture this week shows up in the form of snow instead of rain for you guys.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by wireking1 on February 23, 2009 at 10:24pm

I am on day 2 of a 10 day trip. It was wet snow up top and rain down low. It was pretty bad down low (serious mashed potatoes), but was doable up top. If I lived here and had a pass, I would have definately opted out. But since I don't, I went up top and it was not that bad this morning. Wet snow, but it beats the rain they had all day at the base.

The forecast is really sketching me out for the rest of my trip. But noody can really accurately predict the weather here or just about anywhere else! I will try and get out early and make the best of it and likely avoid afternoon skiing unless things change. (I hope they are wrong)

I just doesn't feel right for it to rain all day long here in February, but it does happen!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mesa on February 23, 2009 at 10:40pm

I was on Rabbit Ears Pass today and the snow was a bit heavier than usual, but amazing.
My suggestion to our visitors: Rent snowshoes or Cross-Country Skis and drive up to my favorite areas; Walton Creek Loop or Fox Curve. Quiet backcountry experiences with tons of snow... you can't beat that!!!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by st3 on February 24, 2009 at 9:06am

I was thinking the same thing. My friend and I are bringing our snowshoes with us. It stinks because we bought a 5 out of 7 day pass for Steamboat the week were there. The 2 down days are the first day there, and were going cat skiing during the other off day.

We are used to having to hike for fresh due to wind hold and everythin gettin tracked out in the first hour or two back in Northern New England.

How far are these spots from downtown? We didn't rent a car. I know it sounds weird, but can a taxi/car service take us there??? If not, maybe will find someone nice to drive us there. Should we absoluetly have avy beacon, shovel, probe etc. or can we get away with just point and go skiing???

Back to weather...

I can't listen/read/watch local forecasts. How long is this warm up/rain/wet snow supposed to go on for?? I know we can't predict at all, but I know it says the base has a chance of rain/snow everyday this week, but the top has a chance to snow each day, so....

Was there rain only at the base, did it creep up to top of the gondi station(mid level)???

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mesa on February 25, 2009 at 10:27pm

The Rabbit Ears trails are about a 10-15 minute drive from the mtn. I doubt a taxi is the way to go. You might be able to find a local to join you, especially with the resources of this forum.
You don't need any avy gear at all. Just point and go...very well marked trails. If you're looking for ski turns, take the North Walton Peak route and ski it down.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CrystalWA on February 24, 2009 at 1:41pm

First let me say that we have never had rain at Steamboat in the 25+ years we have been coming there, but we always come in January.

I taught many years in Washington state at a ski area at 3000 feet, and we sometimes had rain when we had to be teaching. We always said that the snow on the packed slopes when it was raining was just as good as spring corn snow. So wear your rain gear and stay on the packed slopes and you will have good skiing. It won't be Champagne Powder, but it will be fun.

The unpacked "powder" was pretty grim for skiers, but it was doable for snowboarders. My husband liked going out in it and showing the skiers the main advantage of a snowboard.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Larry Pierce on February 24, 2009 at 2:05pm

Have skied a bit for the last two days......yes there is moisture at the base area, as in rain, but skiing is just fine up top! Was about 4 inches of new snow on top, like butter......the corduroy was perfect too. Have friends visiting from Hawaii and they just loved it! Stay positive folks.

Cheers,
Larry

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Matt on February 24, 2009 at 3:10pm

Yeap - so far the top of the mountain is holding up pretty good. Just don't drop below thunderhead lift unless you like the real slushy stuff. The good news today was the sunshine that came blasting through instead of rain; of course, the side effect of that is major slush at the bottom but if you are a big fan or spring sking then these conditions may be right up your alley!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sean Nalette on February 24, 2009 at 4:24pm

I rode Storm and Sundown for most of the day. The conditions exceeded my expectations. The weather was definitely warm... and there is water dripping from the eves of my house. But the snow conditions today, except for late-day-lower-mountain, were good.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by skisteamboat on February 24, 2009 at 6:18pm

Agree. I skied the upper runs until about 1200 and they were OK. Sort of like Lake Tahoe.

Glad I had my Gore Tex Shell (sans liner) as the drips from the chairs were definitely wet.

Cheers

▶ Reply to This

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last