Racer navigates a Super G course at Sun Valley this week during the multi-day U.S. Alpine National Championships. (courtesy Sun Valley)

A Low Pressure trough to our west, combined with a warm front on Wednesday, then a cold front, will bring the snow. Schweitzer is projected to get all snow out of the storm system, with 5"-7" by Thursday AM and a couple of inches more during the ski/ride day. Snow levels should drop to favorable levels by Wednesday evening at Silver and Lookout, and they should get at least 5" of new by EOD Thursday, maybe a bit more.

Brundage and Tam may get the most out of the storm system, with a couple of inches forecast on Wednesday and then as much as 7" Wed PM and 2"-3" on Thursday for a total of about 9"-12". Snow levels are projected to be at 5,000-6,000 feet Wed night, dropping to 3,500-5,000 by Thursday AM with the cold front pushing through. 

Bogus Basin is forecast to get less snow and daytime highs a few degrees above freezing for a max of 3" out of the storm system, according to NOAA. OpenSnow is predicting 6" for Bogus, and I'd think that will be closer to the mark. 

Sun Valley will get 4" Wed PM and 2" Thursday for a possibility of 6" by EOD Thursday. Pomerelle and Pebble Creek should get 5" of all snow on Thursday with the storm arriving that morning. Skies clear off partially on Friday at those three areas. 

We'll have some influence of a weakening Low Pressure trough on Friday-Sunday, which will prevent the skies from clearing completely for the weekend, but temps will rise into the high 30s to 40s statewide as Sunday approaches. 

Seeing more clearing and High Pressure moving in by Monday and we're looking mostly dry next week, with a slight chance of snow in N. Idaho Wed-Friday. We shall see. 

Peering ahead into early April, the NOAA Climate Forecast Center is calling for cooler than normal temps and wetter than normal precip. These are fresh forecast maps issued on Tuesday, March 26. 

 

Thanks for reading ... my next forecast will be on Friday, March 29. 

- Steve Stuebner, Idaho Daily Snow 

Remember that pre-season season pass sales are happening right now at many Idaho ski resorts! Best pricing to finish spring skiing and for next year! 

Ski area closing dates have been added below, thanks to Ski Idaho. Only a few weeks left! 

Sun Valley is operating 7 days a week. See the Sun Valley Mountain Report for the latest conditions. 90" base. 12 of 12 lifts running, 91 of 114 trails open. See more at Sun Valley events. Sun Valley has announced its closing date: April 21 -  one week longer than the normal mid-April closure.  

Wood River xc ski trails are open in the upper valley and Galena Lodge. See the latest grooming conditions here. 

Bogus Basin is open 7 days a week. See more details here. 79" base. Night skiing is open 7 days a week. Bogus Nordic trails are open. 7 of 10 lifts in operation, 56 of 93 trails open on Friday. All lifts will be running for the weekend. Closing date: April 14.  

Schweitzer Mountain is open for daily ops. 57"-98" base. 9 of 10 lifts running, 92 of 92 runs open, 3 of 3 parks. Nordic trails are groomed and open. All backside lifts and Outback Bowl are open. Closing date: April 14. Schweitzer will host Community Day on Friday, March 29, with $20 lift tickets. Snow Ghost banked slalom snowboard race will occur on Sat-Sun, March 30-31, and an Easter morning service on Sunday, March 31.     

Silver Mountain is operating 7 days a week. 55"-86" base. Chairlifts 1-5 open; 78 trails open. Closing date: April 20. 

Lookout Pass is open 7 days a week. 22"-73" base. 5 of 5 lifts running, 49 trails open. Skiers/riders are encouraged to wear green for St. Patrick's Day on Sunday, March 17. There will be drink specials in the bar and a beef and cabbage special for lunch. Lookout will host Toyota free ski day on Friday, March 22. Closing date: April 14.   

Brundage Mountain is open for top-to-bottom skiing and riding, 7 days a week, all lifts in operation. 65"-99" base. 69 of 69 trails open. Brundage is hosting the Brewlympic Games on Saturday, March 30, with beer relays and Gelande Quaff. Closing date: April 14.   

Tamarack Resort is open 7 days a week. 58 runs open, 6 lifts, 2 parks, 87" base. See more at Tamarackidaho.com. Closing date: April 7.  

Lost Trail Ski Area on the Idaho-Montana border near Salmon is operating Thursday-Sunday. 55"-60" base, 5 of 5 lifts in operation, 69 of 69 trails, 2 of 2 parks. Closing date: April 7.   

Soldier Mountain is closed for the season.

Pomerelle is operating daily through this weekend. Night skiing is closed. 108" base. 3 of 3 lifts running, 32 of 32 trails open. Closing date: April 6, when a Pond Skim end-of-season party will be held. A bonus weekend will occur on April 12-14, snow-permitting. 

Magic Mountain is closed for the season.     

Pebble Creek is operating daily, 43"-88" base. 44 trails open. Last weekend of operations! Closing date: March 31. 

Kelly Canyon is operating Thursday-Sunday. Last weekend of operations! Closing date: March 30. 

Gateway to Kelly Canyon a new snow-tubing park near Heise is also open daily. 

Stay abreast of mountain avalanche conditions in Idaho: 

- Sawtooth Avalanche Center

- Payette Avalanche Center 

- Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center    

NEW: Snow Ratio Forecast

You can now get a good idea of the upcoming snow quality for the next storm via our new "Snow Ratio" forecast for any location in OpenSnow.

When we talk about snow quality, such as “light and fluffy” or “heavy and wet”, we are talking about the snow-to-liquid ratio. The higher the snow-to-liquid ratio, the lighter the snow quality, and vice-versa.

1. Go to any location screen and tap the "Snow Summary" tab.
2. Scroll down to the 5-day hourly or 10-day forecast section.
3. View the 5-day hourly or daily "Snow Ratio" forecast for the next 10 days.

10:1 will be fun but will feel a little heavy. 15:1 will offer some faceshots and feel pretty light. 20:1 will be incredibly light, almost like skiing through nothing but air.

This new feature is currently available with the latest version of the OpenSnow iOS app installed (App Store > OpenSnow > Update) or on the OpenSnow website (OpenSnow.com). It will be available in the OpenSnow Android app soon.

View → Snow Ratio Forecast