Yo snow chasers!
Stop what you are doing right now. The charts are lighting up, and if you are anywhere near California, you need to start waxing your boards immediately. We are looking at a massive storm cycle slamming into the Sierra this weekend, and the totals are looking absolutely sick!
The Setup: From Cement to Champagne
Here is the deal. Starting late Friday night, the storm door kicks wide open. It’s coming in a little warm at first—classic Sierra style. Snow levels will be hovering around 6,500–8,000 feet.
This means the base is going to get coated in that dense, heavy snow we lovingly call "Sierra Cement." Honestly? We need this. It covers the sharks and builds a solid base layer.
But wait, it gets better.
Saturday night into Sunday, the temps are crashing. The cold air filters in, and that heavy concrete turns into the fluffy goods! We are talking snow-to-liquid ratios jumping to 13:1. That means Sunday and Monday are going to be absolute face shot city!
Who is Getting the Deepest?
The central Sierra is the bullseye for this one.
Mammoth Mountain is looking at a potential 4 FEET at the Main Lodge by Monday. Considering Mammoth already rocks a solid 73.1/100 on ShredIndex, this dump is going to push conditions into legendary territory. If you can make it there, book your accommodation now before the roads close and everything sells out.
Other spots getting hammered:
- Sugar Bowl: 28-44 inches
- Kirkwood: 27-42 inches (The Wall is going to be firing!)
- Palisades Tahoe: 25-39 inches
Travel Warning: Don't Be That Guy
Look, I'm all about sending it, but getting there is going to be gnarly. The NWS Sacramento is calling for serious wind gusts—we're talking 100+ mph on the ridges. Whiteout conditions are pretty much guaranteed.
As the NWS posted, it's going to be a wild ride:
NWS Sacramento detailing multiple rounds of moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow expected to impact interior Northern California this weekend into Monday... https://twitter.com/NWSSacramento/status/1742308765432109877
If you don't have 4WD and chains, stay home. Don't block the road for the rest of us trying to get to the goods!
Gear Check
With 4 feet of fresh on the menu, leave the carving skis in the car. You need floatation. If you're looking to upgrade your quiver for days like this, I'd be looking at something wide and surfy like the Atomic Bent 110 Skis to keep you on top of the deep stuff.
The Verdict
Monday and Tuesday are the days to call in sick. The storm tapers off, the skies might crack a bit, and you'll be left with feet of cold, high-quality powder on top of a deep base.
Get out there, stay safe, and send it!
Source: SnowBrains
