West of the Continental Divide:

The next chance of measurable snow moves in late Sunday morning with the bulk of the moisture focusing in on Lost Trail Pass with possibly 2-4” by last chair. Areas to the north will also be affected with 1-3” likely through Sunday. Even with this weak cold front on Sunday, daily highs at 6000’ will still be in the low 30’s across the Westside.

A parade of weak weather systems will continue to breeze through the Westside with a few inches for each 24-hour cycle through Wednesday. Daytime high temps will stay seasonally warm right around 30 degrees at 6000’. Unfortunately we’re looking at a warm-front settle in Thursday through Saturday that will raise snow levels to around 5500’ and continue the January thaw into February 1st. After that a polar air mass is depicted for Super Bowl Sunday and beyond. Yee ha.

East of the Continental Divide:  

On Sunday a weak upper level low moves through mainly SW Montana bringing light snow with 1-3” likely through the day at Big Sky and Bridger. Temps will stay seasonably mild with highs around 30 at 7000’ across the Eastside – except Red Lodge which might hit 40 Sunday. Winds in the alpine will be moderate 15-20mph from mainly the SW.  

This disturbance effecting areas to the south of I-90 will settle in right around Big Sky on Sunday night with 3-6” likely there and 1-3” at Bridger also possible. Monday may be a great day for first chair at Big Sky. Red Lodge may also see an inch or two on Sunday night as well. High-pressure builds back in Monday morning with some sunny spells and keeping above average daytime temps. Mostly dry skies but with occasional flurries here and there will be the story into mid-week. A westerly flow will bring even warmer temps Thursday through the weekend with snow showers/light amounts possible through Sunday. After that, a Canadian air mass looks to sober us back into winter. Yep.

 Powder Out -

 

Starting on Thursday, 1/23, we’ll be releasing a fresh update to the OpenSnow iOS app. This update is based on feedback from OpenSnow users during the past year, along with ideas from our employees and forecasters because, like you, we are obsessed with finding great snow. Click HERE to learn more.

Montana Ski Areas & Resorts / Geographical References 

WEST of the Divide: 

Whitefish Mountain Resort – (Daily)

Blacktail Mountain – (Weds-Sun)

Turner Mountain – (Fri-Sun)  

Lookout Pass (MT/ID)  - (Daily)

Montana Snowbowl – (Daily)

Discovery Basin – (Daily - limited terrain)

Lost Trail Powder Mountain –  (Thurs-Sun)

EAST of the Divide:

Big Sky Resort –  (Daily)

Bridger Bowl – (Daily)

Red Lodge Mountain – (Daily)

Great Divide – (Weds-Sun)

Showdown – (Weds-Sun)

Teton Pass Ski Area – (They’re BACK! 30$ lift tix too with great snowpack! Call ahead for hours although they are definitely open on weekends.)

Maverick Mountain – (Thurs-Sun)

Backcountry Reports:

West Central Montana Avalanche Center

http://missoulaavalanche.org 

 Flathead Avalanche Center

 http://www.flatheadavalanche.org

Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center:

http://www.mtavalanche.com