Featured Image: Gabe Rovick
Presidents’ Day Weekend is on our doorstep. While many will be migrating to their local peaks, you aren’t one of the masses. You’re here because you want to chase the storm and find the deepest turns while you can, and dear reader, the forecast looks damn good for you. Arctic air is descending from the north, finally. These storms are bringing lots of snow from Vermont to California.
But where to go? Some areas seem promising, but rising temps and high winds later in the weekend could diminish deep landings and rob lasting freshies from the replenished snowpacks. That’s why we put together FREESKIER’s Top 10 Resort Forecasts for President’s Day Weekend. Ranked on several factors, including potential wind, temperature, expected openings post-storm and, of course, overall snow forecast—these are our top 10 resorts to chase snow at this holiday weekend.
Editor’s Note: We’ve only included ski areas in the continental US. Alaska will certainly be getting their fair share of snow for the next 10 days. If you’ve got the dollar and the determination, we suggest you book a flight!
All forecast predictions are courtesy of Open Snow
10. Stowe, Vermont
For our friends out east, Stowe is our pick for this weekend and the next 10 days. The ski area has seen over 220 inches of snow this winter, and after a stellar January in Vermont and recent cold temps, the Green Mountains are filled in and skiing well. Brace for Sunday and Monday (2/16-2/17) as Stowe is expecting 4-8 inches of snow during the day and an additional 3-5 inches overnight. Temps will rise slightly on Thursday morning, with an immediate drop down to 7 °F by Friday morning.
9. Grand Targhee, Wyoming
At number nine, we have the Wydaho legend, Grand Targhee. The Ghee is projected to get snow from Thursday, 2/13 to Thursday, 2/20, with the bulk of the storm hitting on Friday night and coming back strong on Monday. Winds should stay below 30 mph, with temps being very manageable and not dipping below 12 °F. Targhee boasts a lot of flowy terrain (demonstrated by Corey Jackson below). This, combined with a top-notch ski patrol, allows them to open a variety of terrain even after big storms. Expect over 20 inches by this Sunday, with another storm coming in on Monday.
8. Silverton, Colorado
Silverton is unlike any other resort on the planet, but you knew that already. The Southern Colorado big mountain mecca, nestled in the San Juan mountains, has been having a great year, with alpine terrain skiing well. The mountain is in its “Guided Skiing” season, meaning you have to book your spot to have a guide and ride the lift. A beacon, shovel and probe are all required and can be rented.
With the storm arriving later this week, heli operations will likely be a no go, so we recommend securing your guided spot while you can. The San Juan Mountains are looking at over 25 inches of snow this weekend, with more on the way. The mountain’s one lift is only running Thursday – Sunday, with the exception of this coming Monday during Presidents’ Day Weekend. A trip to Silverton is a surefire way to secure fresh tracks and avoid the crows, so keep it on your list!
7. China Peak, California
One of the lesser known stops on our list, China Peak is in for a big weekend. The ski area sits just Northeast of Fresno, and will usually see a storm like this once or twice a winter. A blast of cold air combines with high winds and heavy precipitation to create a Sierra Nevada dream. China Peak is expected to receive 60 inches of snow by Saturday, with the majority falling on Thursday and Friday.
With storm totals like that, you would expect China Peak to be at the top of our list. However, high winds and rapidly warming temperatures are likely to shape this snow into variable conditions. Winds are expected to reach 45 mph Thursday morning and temps will be hovering around 40° F later in the weekend. Still, you might just score some if you time it right. If you’re in the area, make the trip. But if you’re trying to find the cream of the crop, keep reading.
6. Aspen Highlands, Colorado
Out of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains, Highlands is our pick for the holiday. The Roaring Fork Valley has seen unseasonably warm temperatures in the weeks following last month’s X Games Aspen. But winter is back, and the Highland’s faithful skiers are surely fired up. The mountain is notoriously steep and one of FREESKIER’s favorite spots on a pow day. Lap the Temerity chairlift to rack up the vert or start hiking once the Highlands Bowl is open.
The ski area is looking at solid snow over the next 10 days. The storm will hit Wednesday evening, with almost 20 inches expected through the weekend. Friday and Saturday should be skiing outrageously well. Low winds, 20° F temps, consistent snow and the iconic terrain make Aspen Highlands an excellent stop over the next two weeks.
5. Alta, Utah
At our midway point we have the one and only Alta Ski Area in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon. What can we say? We’re a sucker for the classics. Alta’s previous seasons have made this years snowfall look like chump change. But in reality, the resort is skiing great and (nearly) open wall to wall. For a ski area that features terrain that’s very challenging to patrol and mitigate avy risk, this is a big accomplishment.
Alta’s forecast looks great for the weekend, with well over two feet expected. The storm will roll in Thursday morning, with the bulk of the precipitation and high winds hitting that night. This should give the fine folks at UDOT time to manage the roads before the weekend as patrol secures the mountain. Friday should be unreal storm skiing, and the road will likely close. If you can spend the night at a friend’s house up in the town of Alta or get a room at the famous Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge, we highly recommend it.
4. Powder Mountain, Utah
Pow Mow is coming off a hot streak with cold weather returning to Utah. The resort has made it known that they are an escape from the dreaded Cottonwood Canyons red snake, AKA the immense traffic that can pile up in Little Cottonwood and Big Cottonwood canyons. Low (ish) winds around 30 mph and over 20 inches of snow between Thursday and Friday should have Pow Mow skiing well without the crowds.
While the resort doesn’t boast the same steeps as it’s neighbors at Alta, Snowbird or Solitude, the flowy terrain can be loads of fun when conditions align… which it looks like they are!
3. Crested Butte, Colorado
The Butte makes the podium, coming in at third place. We love Crested Butte for a variety of reasons. The steep terrain is always electric, even if conditions are firm and the snow is chalky. Some would argue it’s even better that way, but at FREESKIER, we’ll take a pow day anytime, anywhere.
Snow has already arrived in Southern Colorado, but Crested Butte won’t see the majority of the storm until Thursday night. Well over two feet of snow are possible by Saturday morning, and when you factor in very low winds and temps around 20°F, we think you’ll agree that CB is a top-tier option for any skier following Ullr’s path this weekend.
2. Steamboat, Colorado
Champagne powder over the last five days, 30 inches projected by Sunday, low wind, cold temps and Steamboat’s surfy terrain puts The Boat at our number two spot. Steamboat has an eclectic mix of tree skiing and long mogul runs that are next to impossible to beat on a pow day. If you’re cruising through feet of fresh snow, bouncing off filled-in mogul fields or ripping through steep glades and NOT having fun, you’ve come to the wrong place.
Steamboat is looking at mid-20° F temperatures over the next few days, with the exception of a cold Wednesday. Between Thursday night and Friday morning, the resort is expecting nearly 20 inches of snow, with more coming. If you’ve been awaiting a sign to stray from the I-70 corridor, this is your cue.
1. Wolf Creek, Colorado
Touted as the catcher’s mitt of Colorado, Wolf Creek often sees snow totals the rest of the state only dreams of. It’s a righteous pilgrimage any freeskier should make at least once in their life. Sandwiched in the San Juan mountains between Del Norte and Pagosa Springs, it doesn’t have the same vertical as nearby Telluride or Silverton, but it boasts more snow and less crowds.
Wolf Creek is going to get blasted on Thursday and Friday, with over two feet expected between the two days. Thirty-five mph winds on Friday will undoubtedly create wind loading and avalanche danger, so be prepared. The resort is at the southern end of Colorado, quite a haul from just about anywhere. But when we say it’s worth it, we mean it’s worth it.
FREESKIER Pro Tip: Crash at the iconic Windsor Hotel in Del Norte. The old-school inn is undeniably charming and will show any traveling ski bum a good time.
