It's 2 degrees Fahrenheit outside as I write this and a faint death mist is falling from the sky. Temperatures have not been above single digits since Monday afternoon and it feels like "real" winter. But this is just a blip in a winter that has been warm, dry, and windy. Unless we have a killer March in terms of snowfall, this winter will not be one to remember.
The Bozeman area Steenburgh Winter comes to an end today, and while there is still plenty of skiing to be had, as the days go on the sun will climb higher in the sky and begin to have a greater impact on snow conditions across all aspects.
Below is a running list of conditions at the local ski areas. A good ski seasons is a magic combination of snow, temperatures, sun and wind so the numbers don't tell the full story. You can click on the links to find out what was said about each year and form your own opinions about how this year compares.
Bridger Bowl didn't open until December 21 this year and is expected to close on April 10.It does not look likely that they'll be able to extend their ski season as they do some years. Big Sky is expected to close on April 24 so it will be curious to if they can remain open as planned. A recent bit of snow finds Bozeman in-town Nordic ski venues is good shape, and they'll hold on until March as they usually do.
Figures = base depth (Snow fall year-to-date)
Big Sky Bridger Bowl Alta Crested Butte
February 24, 2022 27"- 49" (NA) 43" (147") 89" (283") 61" (199")
February 18, 2021 56"- 63" (NA) 77" (171") 120" (332") 59" (150")
February 21, 2020 56"- 96" (NA) 78" (227") 125" (416") 51" (156")
February 17, 2019 48"- 89" (NA) 70" (192") 133" (386") 71" (186")
February 19, 2018 63"- 95" (NA) 77" (210") 76" (183") 48" (112")
February 14, 2017 48"- 72" (188") 45" (143")
February 12, 2016 43”- 65” (277") 56” (209")
February 17, 2015 42”- 63” (294") 56” (228")
February 12, 2014 57”- 85” (236") 76” (166")
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What is the Steenburgh Winter?
Click on the link above to read about the Steenburgh Winter from University of Utah atmospheric science professor. The ending date for the Steenburgh Winter in the Wasatch area is February 10, the first day the sun reach 35 degrees above the horizon.
According to Dr. Steenburgh, “It seems to be around this time of year when the sun begins to have an increasingly caustic effect on powder…. Prior to February 10, powder can linger for many days on most aspects. Even south facing slopes might survive without a melt-freeze cycle if it is really cold. After February 10, the south aspects will almost always suffer a melt-freeze cycle if the sun comes out and, as the days go on, the sun becomes an increasingly formidable enemy to powder on an increasingly greater range of aspects.”
We have a bit more winter further north in southwest Montana (sun angle reaches 35 degrees above the horizon in the Bozeman/Big Sky area to February 24) and a bit less in southern Colorado (February 4).
The most important thing is to get out and enjoy winter. And don't let closing of the alpine and Nordic ski areas determine the length of your ski season. There is alway plenty of skiing to be had for those who venture beyond the resorts.
Read More About Skiing
- Backcountry skiing posts: https://annvinciguerra.blogspot.com/search/label/Backcountry%20skiing
- Types of snow - One of my most popular posts: http://annvinciguerra.blogspot.com/2012/11/types-of-snow-how-many-have-you-skied.html
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