"Endless Winter Snow"

2.04.2008

Snow Alert - Steven's Pass, Crystal Mountain, Lake Tahoe, Idaho, Cortina d'Ampezzo- Italy
Continued Avalanche Warnings For Cascades and Northern Sierras

AVALANCHE WARNIGS
CENTRAL SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS
between Yuba Pass on the north and Sonora Pass on the south.
A strong Pacific storm is currently affecting the forecast area. Significant snowfall began late yesterday afternoon and continues this morning. Ski area snow study plots and remote sensors are reporting new snow amounts of 16 to 22 inches across the forecast area this morning. The snow study plot at Mt. Rose ski area is reporting and overall new snow density of 13%. Heavy snowfall is expected to continue through 10 am with another 6 to 10 inches expected. Snow shower activity is forecast to continue into Monday. Mountain top air temperatures warmed a few degrees during the first 3 to 4 hours of heavy snowfall last night. Air temperatures began to fall between 4 and 6 am this morning and are expected to become colder as the day progresses. Ridgetop winds have been strong from the southwest and are shifting to west this morning.

The existing snowpack is in good condition to handle the amount of new snow loading created by the current storm system. Snowpack observations made over the past several days on Castle Peak, Mt. Lincoln, Silver Peak, in Blackwood Canyon, on Hidden Peak, Waterhouse Peak, and Tamarack Peak have shown good layer bond strength within the top 4 to 5 feet of the snowpack. Avalanche activity that fails below the height of the old/new snow interface is not expected at this time.
Today, avalanche activity is expected to occur within the new snow or just above the old/new snow interface. Warming air temperatures during the early part of the storm are expected to have placed higher density snow on top of lower density snow. Snowpack failure that occurs today at this interface has the potential to occur several feet deep in wind loaded areas. Snowpack failure that occurs higher within the new snow still has significant destructive potential with crown height of well over 1 foot expected. Early reports indicate that natural avalanche activity overnight ran down onto the Alpine Meadows road, releasing from the cross loaded SE aspect gullies above. Continued snowfall and moderate west winds will cause wind loading to continue through the day today. As winds shift to the west and continue to decrease this morning, loading will begin to occur higher in avalanche start zones, increasing the size of slabs that formed further down slope during the overnight hours.
Natural and human triggered avalanche activity is likely today on directly wind loaded N-NE-E aspects and on cross loaded NW and SE aspects on steep slopes in near and above treeline areas. Below treeline, human triggered avalanches are possible to probable while natural avalanches are possible is steep open areas, especially where wind has aided in slab formation.

OLYMPICS, WASHINGTON CASCADES NORTH OF MT RAINIER- avalanche danger above 5 to 6000 feet and below gradually decreasing Sunday through early Monday, becoming below 7000 feet. Danger gradually increasing Monday afternoon and night and becoming above 6000 feet and below.

* WASHINGTON CASCADES FROM MT RAINIER SOUTHWARD, MT HOOD AREA- avalanche danger above 5000 feet and considerable below gradually decreasing Sunday through early Monday and becoming below 7000 feet. Danger gradually increasing Monday afternoon and night and becoming above 6000 feet and below

ALPS
Northern flank of the Alps not including Prealps; Lower Valais; Main Alpine Ridge; northern Ticino; Upper Engadine and southern valleys of Grisons: Considerable avalanche danger (Level 3) On the Main Alpine Ridge, from the Matterhorn to the Münstertal, in northern Ticino, in the Upper Engadine and in the southern valleys of Grisons, the avalanche prone locations are found on steep slopes in all aspects above approximately 1800 m. The danger level "considerable" will be reached only after it has begun to snow. In the remaining regions of the same danger level, the hazardous spots are found on west to north to east facing wind loaded slopes above approximately 1800 m in particular. Snowdrift which is only slightly consolidated can easily be triggered by single backcountry skiers or freeriders. Both prudent route planning and extensive experience in assessing avalanche dangers are imperative.

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CHICAGO - A passenger train stuck overnight in the Northern California mountains resumed its journey Saturday after a snow plow that was blocking the tracks was removed, officials said.

Two Amtrak trains with about 400 passengers were initially stranded after the accident Friday. One train was pulled to Reno, Nevada, and its 165 passengers were put up in a hotel, Amtrak spokeswoman Karina Romero said.

The other train, which was headed from Emeryville to Chicago, remained in the mountains until the tracks were cleared Saturday morning.

About 60 passengers from the second train were taken by bus back to the San Francisco Bay area overnight, while 155 stayed on board to wait for the line to reopen, Romero said. The train had heating and lights and passengers were given food, Romero said. No injuries were reported.

The train was scheduled to arrive in Chicago Monday morning about 16 hours behind schedule.

A Union Pacific spokeswoman, Zoe Richmond, confirmed that the company's equipment was blocking the tracks but had no other information

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Glacier 3000 - Switzerland
The Glacier 3000 ski area includes 10 installations and 30 km of ski runs ranging from 1350 to 3000 m above sea level. It is a part of the ski area shared with Gstaad Mountain Rides (250 km of ski runs) and the Vaudoises Alps (225 km of ski runs) and is particularly attractive for Freestylers and Freeriders. With the 7km long Olden ski run, Glacier 3000 is able to offer one of the most challenging ski runs in the area - a challenge for any skier or snowboarder

For people who like to have unlimited fun in the snow, the 7 km long Olden ski run is just the right one. The black ski run is one of the longest of this difficulty level in the region

Lifts
Name - Length - Vert - Top Station
P1 Reusch – Oldenegg 1624 m 572 m 1922 m
P2 Oldenegg – Cabane 2270 m 601 m 2523 m
P3 Col du Pillon – Cabane 1960 m 979 m 2524 m
P5 Cabane – Sex Rouge 1551 m 406 m 2930 m
P6 Oldenalp – Oldenegg 797 m 81 m 1922 m

www.glacier3000.ch/en/Winter
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Sugar Bowl - Ca
Sugar Bowl's Mountain Sports Learning Center (MSLC) is offering three 1-day camps with focus specially designed for active, energetic women who are eager to improve their skiing and snowboarding skills.
Each day clinic includes a morning yoga session, 4 hours of on-the-snow training with Sugar Bowl's top female certified instructors, lunch, wine tasting & massages for only $140 per day or $240 for two days! This program will challenge you, improve your performance, and will be tailored to the participants needs for that session. Instruction Dates: 3/7-8/08.

www.sugarbowl.com

Marker

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Snowbird
Snowbird has received 24" of new snow in the last 24 hours.
Over 90" of new snow has fallen in the last seven days, pushing our season-to-date snow total to an amazing 367" with more snow in the forecast!

NWS Forecast
Today: Snow in the morning...then snow showers likely in the afternoon. Accumulation 5 to 10 inches. Highs at 8000 feet near 20. Chance of snow 90 percent.
Tonight: A chance of snow showers in the evening...then a slight chance of snow showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy. Lows at 8000 feet zero to 5 above. Chance of snow 40 percent.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Highs at 8000 feet near 20.
Wednesday: Snow in the morning...then snow likely in the afternoon. Highs at 8000 feet in the lower 20s. Chance of snow 80 percent.

www.snowbird.com

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Kirkwood
Let the storm cycle continue!! 2008 is fast beceoming a historical snow year at Kirkwood. Over 230 inches in January and over 5 FEET already in February! Don't miss any of it. Join us in Celebrating 35 Years of Epic Conditions.

www.kirkwood.com.

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Durango

MARDI GRAS AT PURGATORY
Celebrate with the rest of DMR Fat Tuesday! Wear your beads for special discounts. Cajun specials resort wide!

TELLY TUESDAY
For those weekday skiers that want some Telly action we offer this anything goes format for learning to Telemark. From beginner to expert, we'll get creative in exploring various aspects of modern Telemark skiing. Meet at the base trail map at 9:45 tomorrow morning.
www.durangomountain.com
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Photo: Mt Yotei Japan

2007/08 Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Ladies Calendar
February 9 and 10, 2008 - Sestriere, Italy
February 15, 2008 - Zagreb, Croatia
February 21 and 23, 2008 - Whistler, Canada
March 1 and 2, 2008 - Zwiesel, Germany
March 8 and 9, 2008 - Crans Montana, Switzerland
March 12 to March 16, 2008 - Bormio, Italy