.jpg)
| 24hr Snow | 81 cm | 7 Day Snow | 194 cm | Snowbase | 178 cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Temp | -4 °C | Valley Temp | 4 °C | Conditions | Lots of Snow! |
Holy Toledo! Read those numbers again. 81cm of snow in the last 24 hours, and a snowbase of 178cm on the 16th of November! – what a great start to THE season. The overnight snowfall of 51cm, even if it was wet and heavy, is a great sign for the season ahead. We have already got a base worthy of a ‘decent’ season, and by the this time next week – it appears we will be pushing a base closer to 3m than 2 
According to the alpine forecast, we are in for a week of STORMY weather! Dump after dump of snow The freezing level seems to be hovering just above the 1000m for the rest of the system, so that will produce awesome conditions on the upper half of the mountains.
As for today, I was unable to hit the slopes, but I heard from a friend that the snow was very wet/heavy – the famous Whistler Smoo! Combine that with slower chairlift rides due to the strong winds associated with this storm, and you sort of get the picture.
It will be the same picture most of this week, lots of snow and high winds. I had a good chuckle reading the Whistler Blackcomb Alpine Forecast where they described conditions as being “giving near zero visibilities in snow and blowing snow”. Sounds like enticing weather to ski in eh?
Still, this is a fantastic storm to start the season. This week should set us up with an awesome base, which goes a long way to opening more terrain. Providing the expectation of lower skier numbers holds true, this is sure going to be a season for the books.
I know it may be a bit early to tell, but how do you think the base will be come christmas time? Will the freezing level be down to the village by then?
Hey Sam, The base is already good, and barring any kind of freak of nature will only get deeper. The deeper the base, the better.
As for the freezing level, it represents the level at which falling snow becomes rain, and is up and down like a yo-yo most of the season. It has already been down the the valley (proof is the snow on the ground). In fact it is snowing right now, but will turn to rain again sometime.
I presume what you really want to know is ‘Will there be snow on the ground for Christmas?’ and the answer to that is ‘Who knows?’ but right now there is already snow on the ground (not much). That may change though…..
Just to clarify, freezing level is usually at least 100 to 200 meters above where the snow is actually falling. So if the freezing level is 800 or 900 meters it will usually snow in the village which is around 680 meters. At least that is how its worked for the last 23 years I have been here.
Cheers.
Hi Sporty,
Firstly, I am honored someone who has been in Whistler for 23 years would be reading (and contributing to) this website.
I am by no means an expert on snow, pretty much self taught, so if someone can point out any mistakes in the following, I would appreciate it.
My understanding of the freezing level is this (Lets forget about inversions and above-freezing levels) – the freezing level is the level at which the air temperature is 0 Celsius. Therefore, any water above this level is so cold it crystallizes and is ‘Snow’. Once the falling snow hits the freezing level, the water is now at a temperature where it no longer wants to be a crystal, and wants to physically change back into water (rain).
Now this is the tricky part, at the freezing level the snow is 100% crystals – 0% water. It takes time for the crystals to ‘melt’ so therefore you have a vertical 100m or so where the snow is ‘transforming into rain’ as it falls. So eventually you have a 100% water and 0% crystal molecule (Rain).
I liken this to taking an ice cube out of the freezer – it takes time to melt.
So, basically, once you reach the freezing level, any ‘snow’ falling below that point is actually a mixture of snow/rain. So snow falls -> hits freezing level -> starts becoming slush -> eventually ends up as rain THUS giving the effect of snowing below the freezing level. The ‘starts becoming slush’ is the 100m or so we are talking about.
As we all know though, pure snow is MUCH better for skiing than slush. Therefore it is best to stay above the freezing level as much as possible.
So once again, thanks Sporty for bringing this up. I look forward to any replies from you or anybody else who can enlighten the situation.
Hey man, your doin a hell of a job of this site and it is quite entertaining!
Probably Harmoney next weekend. As long as the next storms are not puttin us in a much deeper hole! Probably going to be another meter in the next week. I guess the point I was trying to make is we can still easily have accumulation that contribute to a skiout etc well below the freezing level. I agree not the best skiing conditions but the feezing level is totally different then the rain line. Cheers!
YEEEEHOOO!! 2 months to the day i get there. Pretty sure there is as much snow now as there was when i was there in Feb 09. Apart from the lower mtn but who really cares about the lower mtn when the upper is epic! Once again. Amazing site Greg – keeps me going at work!!
So true, I know people who are happy to not have snow in the valley – it makes it easier to commute etc. The ski action is at the top, the drinking at the bottom
Hi Greg,
nice going on this (your) web site. Looks like El Ninio”s little sister La Ninia is starting the season off just right. Bye the way it’s not “smoo” yu pelican, it’s shmoo or schmoo, or west coast pig snot…see you on Wed.
Hey Rob,
otherwise known as elephant snot ya muppet
Thanks for dropping by! I stick by my smoo
Hey Greg thanks for the picture on the startup page again, I’m going to have to use that to get a jacket sponsor, I definitely need to replace the marmot. I was a bit soggy by the time I got home.
Catch you later.
Hey Mike,
Thank you for being a good sport about having your picture taken
Good idea Mike on getting a sponser. There’s a ton of pics of you and the green jacket on here. Otherwise maybe charge Greg an apperance fee.
As for the blowing snow well enjoy it!!!!! I’ve spent far too much time on the slopes in New Zealand unable to see any thing but flying snow.
Enjoy the snow I’m really jealous at the moment. Before you ask I did look to see how much a flight was to Vancouver for tomorrow nite.
Michelle, patience ….. you will be here soon enough
and stop being silly and giving Mike outrageous advice!!!!
Very wet and heavy snow today, although it was very deep too! Common theme for today for snowboarders was cartwheel, snow in mouth, followed by 20 minutes of digging self out of snow. Although the groomers were excellent I thought, nice wet snow to get your edges into it for some wide turns.
Its snowing right now in Whistler, which I’m happy about much better than the rain we’ve had all day. Tomorrow should be good!
Yup, certainly a lot of snow for such gentle terrain in most places. I saw quite a few snowboarders today (Tues 17th) digging themselves out of holes – skiers too in fact.
why oh why oh why didnt this happen last year for our visit in jan this YESR ! wish we were coming back , looks like it wont be till 2011 ! great work on the site Greg
That’s the weather for you – hopefully this seasons continues well, you never know though. Hopefully next season is a good one too (and every one after that….
)