It makes for a lot to keep track of in terms of snow stats!  A common question is, “just how the heck do you figure out your snowfall totals?”, or, “hey, that can’t be right!  How did that much snow fall??”.

It may be common knowledge to many of the long-timers at Alpine, but might come to a surprise to others – Alpine keeps track of everything there is to know about the snow that falls on its mountain: snow depth; temperature; weight; water content; layers; relationship between layers; sublimation; wind-effect;  you name it, it’s studied, every day.

There are several dedicated, full-time forecasters and snow studiers at Alpine.  One of those forecasters is Gary Murphy.  He’s the skier who appropriately resembles Ullr (without the long beard).  Gary has been recording snow stats since 1970 at Alpine (if earlier, sorry Gary!).  Gary is one of the most respected avalanche and snow forecasters within forecasting’s cream of the crop.  If forecasting were basketball, Gary would be Michael Jordan.  Among many reasons for clocking the snow, he provides snow reporters each morning with snow stat updates – whether it snows a lot, a little… even if it doesn’t snow at all.  Snow reporters use that info to then update snow reports which reach skiers and riders every day throughout the season. We can look forward to Gary’s data for this storm, as well as storms throughout the winter.

Measuring the 24-hour stake and taking a snow sample:

Having a look at the behavior of the new snow layers (very light, fell away easily):

Placing the 24-hour stake on top of the snow to start the accumulation count all over again:

Weighing the snow, determining snow density and water content:

The surface layer was cold enough so that the crystals were easily visible:

Being out in the elements, regardless of the time of year, is much like catching a glimpse of Mother Nature’s cookbook of secret recipes. Today’s storm is the beginning of the winter, and she was indeed cooking up a beautiful storm out there – filled with a dash of variable winds (west, southwest, south, and back again); a handful of Fahrenheit varieties; and an econ-o-sized bag of pre-season pow. When I left, there were no hints of her taking a break from the kitchen.

Here are different videos showing her work at various elevations:

Near the base lodge:

On Weasel Run:

Near Alpine Bowl Chair:

Top of Yellow Chair:

Looking at Wolverine Bowl & Idiot’s Delight:


Top of Summit Six Express Chair:

Live music on the Bandwagon by Subjektochange rocked the sun deck! Beverages were flowing like the Truckee River; dancing dervishes; and tons of costumed characters. As if the band and dancing was not enough, the ultimate last run of the season took place well after the hill was empty…yes, the Mad Cow Downhill! An event not to be entered by the timid or slow. An event rewarding the fastest skier or snowboarder with a 2010/2011 Midweek Plus Sunday season pass!  For over ten years Alpine has held the Mad Cow Downhill, and this Mad Cow was by far the best. Thanks to everyone who participated and for making it safely down the hill.

From all of us at Alpine Meadows, we hope you enjoyed the final weekend as much as we did. You, the skiers/riders are the ones who make Alpine what it is: a good vibe, friendly atmosphere, with amazing talented athletes skiing your hearts out. You are I A.M. Alpine.  We look forward to seeing you all next season, and we hope you enjoy the summer!

Think snow.

Mad Cow Downhill winner!

Mad Cow snowboarder catching a little air.

Fun was had by all.

Subjektochange performing on the Bandwagon.

Can you guess who is in the pink jacket?

Heidi S. and Lee K. are the big winners of a $200 Gift Card.

From all of us at Alpine Meadows, thank you and we hope to ski you on the hill!

With all the unbridled wind, prodigious accumulation, beautiful moon glow, early mornings, late nights, and that enigmatic anticipation we all feel during a big cycle – it was the promise of sun and endless powder that met us in the end.

Snow led us all the way through January. All said and done, it was one of the biggest January months Alpine has seen since 1970.

You’re always sharing your stories and photos with us; so we tried to keep up with the storms this month to share some of the memorable days with you.

Thanks to everyone for a great January 2010. As this is being written on February 2 the flurries have started once again; so here’s to more great months ahead:

A Month of Snow Storms

New Years Eve ’09 from AdRock on Vimeo.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0azMNQL6UMA

The volunteers at Disabled Sports Far West essentially invented Adaptive Skiing as well as most of the equipment they needed to do it. Disabled sports was started in 1967 when a group of World War II and Viet Nam Veterans got together and taught themselves and others how to ski despite their disabilities. Since then that group effort has spawned 85 chapter organizations that serve more than 60,000 people a year.

If you’ve never seen some of our adaptive athletes, you’ll be amazed how they tear up the terrain on sit skis! The Disabled sports mission is “to provide affordable inclusive physical and recreational activities that build health and confidence” for people with disabilities.

We know from the looks on faces in the lodge and lift lines that none of our skiers and snowboarders take their abilities for granted, and we couldn’t be more stoked to be able to share that with as many people as possible.

Please join us for the Ability Bash, a celebration of our adaptive schralpers on Saturday March 14th at 6PM. We’ll have a raffle, silent auction and DANCING!

Alpine is hooking you up with The Alpine Club Spring BREAK deal. For $159 bucks you can rip Alpine until it closes. Maybe a corn skiing, short sleeve rock’n day here, and a powder day there… who knows! But no matter the weather… you can ski or ride it… Any day, any time… this pass is 100% unrestricted. Look, it even has Jim Kercher going big!!

I WANT ONE!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mmVWsAwZn0

We have music, deck parties and tons family fun already lined up – check out events.

See ya at Alpine.

Oh yeah, kids ski for $10 bucks too!

TELL ME MORE!