What’s up, snow chasers? Jake here, and I am absolutely buzzing right now!
If you're in Utah or can get there by tomorrow, cancel your plans. Seriously. We are looking at a classic Wasatch storm cycle that's going to drop up to 2 feet of snow through Monday.
Thestoke level is at an all-time high, but you need to play this one smart because the conditions are going to evolve fast.
The Setup: Cream Cheese to Champagne
Here’s the deal. A moisture-rich storm is slamming into the mountains starting Saturday night. It’s coming in warm, which means the snow levels are starting high—around 7,500 feet.
For the first half of the storm, think "Sierra Cement." It’s going to be dense, heavy snow. Honestly? We need this. This is that perfect base-building layer that covers up the sharks and rocks.
But wait for the magic...
Sunday night into Monday is when we send it! A cold front is crashing the party, dropping snow levels down to 6,000 feet. The Snow Liquid Ratios (SLRs) are going to jump from a heavy 8:1 to a fluffy, blower 15:1.
Translation: You’re going to be surfing light, cold smoke on top of a supportive cushion. That is the recipe for hero snow and effortless face shots!
Where to Shred
The Cottonwoods are the place to be for this one. The forecast is favoring the upper elevations of Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons for the deepest totals.
- Snowbird: The Bird is prime territory for this setup. With a ShredIndex score of 67.0/100, it’s always a contender, but when the wind is nuking (and it will be—gusts up to 50mph!), stick to the trees off the Gadzoom or Peruvian side until they crack the tram. If you're planning a last-minute strike mission, you can find accommodation near Snowbird here.
- Brighton: Expect deep piles here. The playful terrain off Milly is going to be sick once that lighter snow fills in Monday morning.
- Park City Mountain: The Wasatch Back will see some mixed precip at the very bottom early on, but the upper mountain is going to score meaningful accumulation.
Gear Check: Storm Mode
This is going to be a storm skiing event. Visibility will be low, and the snow is going to be deep. Don't be that guy struggling on skinny skis with dark lenses.
Here is what I'm grabbing for this cycle:
- The Fat Boards: You need floatation for Monday. I'm reaching for something like the Atomic Bent 110 Skis to stay on top of the deep stuff.
- Low Light Lenses: If you can't see, you can't send. Swap to a yellow or rose lens. The Smith I/O Mag Goggles are my go-to for quick lens changes when the light goes flat.
The Outlook
Get after it through Monday afternoon! After this system clears out Tuesday, we are looking at a drier spell heading into mid-January. The faucet is turning off for a bit, so farm those turns while you can.
Stay safe out there, watch out for wind slabs, and I'll see you in the white room!
Source: SnowBrains
