Snow depths at Utah resorts down a bit but still pretty good

Utah's snow cover for the 2006-07 season isn't living up to the inches measured the previous two seasons, but for those with foggy memories, snow depths today are better than they were in January of 2004.

Over the past two seasons, Utah's high-elevation resorts have gone well over 600 total inches. The average is 500 inches.

Midway through the 2006-07 season, Alta has received a total of 173 inches.

And, even though snow depths are down, Utah, along with Colorado, is reporting some of the best snow conditions in the country.

Vermont, for example, is reporting depths in the 20-inch range, and only four of the 19 resorts are in full operation. Massachusetts areas are showing bases of 5 to 42 inches, with several resorts reporting only half their lifts and runs open.

Eastern states reported record warm temperatures in December and have had only two storms dropping any substantial snow. European resorts are not doing much better. Several of the major World Cup races have had to be canceled or moved because of the lack of snow.

"It's all dependent on the jet stream," said Chris Gibson, meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "The jet stream pattern can change or be stagnant. This winter it's been stable and not changed much. Unfortunately, we've had a dry pattern over Utah.

"They are getting snow to the north, from Big Mountain, Mont., into Canada and Alaska. The report is that Alyaska (a ski resort outside Anchorage) has receiver over 300 inches."

Here in Utah, Alta is reporting a 55-inch base, Brian Head 54 inches, Brighton 53 inches and Snowbird and Solitude 50 inches.

Sundance is reporting a 32-inch base and Wolf Mountain a 35-inch base.

In Colorado, the high is Silverton Mountain with a 63-to-78-inch base. Vail has a 30-inch base, Aspen 34 to 36 inches, Snowmass 37 to 51 and Copper Mountain 44 to 49 inches.

"Here in Utah," reported Nathan Rafferty, president of Ski Utah, "the locals got used to the huge powder days we had the past two seasons, The reality is, we're still at the whim of Mother Nature. And, while we don't have the snow we had last year, Utah still has some of the best ski conditions in the country."

Utah resorts are, in fact, enjoying one of their best seasons, due in part to current snow conditions and the lack of snow in other parts of the country.

Several resorts reported record numbers of skiers during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. And, for the most part, skier counts remained high throughout the month of January.

Gibson said there appears to be no change in the weather outlook over the next 10 days, "but this pattern will break down and we'll have a completely different weather pattern, maybe not for the first third of February, but there will be a change."

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