Yesterday the National Weather Service called Tuesday’s Utah storm “modest.” This morning it says “the potential for significant mountain snow.” Same storm, better adjective.
If you live in Sandy, that’s a reason to wax something. If you live where I do, outside DC, it’s a reason to open the weather models again, which I already do too often, and to remind myself of the rule I relearn come October:
Early storms don’t make the season. They make the base.
What I see
The Alta point forecast now adds up to about 10–18 in. Tuesday through Wednesday, up from 7–13 in. yesterday. SnowBrains has Alta at 12–19 in. through Friday (NWS, SnowBrains).
Here’s the thing: none of that snow lands on a ski day. Utah has no snowmaking going yet, and Alta doesn’t open until Nov 20. Snowbird follows Nov 27. This storm isn’t a powder day. It’s a down payment.
And it comes with a bill. Rachel’s remnants bring 1–2 in. of rain through Monday under a Flood Watch, with mountain gusts to 65 mph. The first snow will be dense and wet. That’s a base-builder, not blower. @WasatchSnow is pointing at guidance with more than 6 in. of water in the high Wasatch by Thursday (post), and below the snow line most of it falls as rain. Six inches of water is not six feet of snow.
So no, I’m not booking a flight. But I am paying attention, because a heavy, wet October base under a predicted super El Niño winter is the kind of setup you want to see from November on.
Resort totals through Oct 16 (SnowBrains)
Alta 12–19 in., Snowbird 9–14, Brighton 9–14, Solitude 6–10, Park City 4–7, Deer Valley 2–3. Little Cottonwood wins again, and Deer Valley gets a dusting. You knew that.
Meanwhile, back east
Rain Sunday night through Wednesday at Stowe and Loon, highs in the 50s and 60s, and no snow in the forecast. Killington has done nothing new since its Oct 6 gun test. The East will get its turn. It always does, usually right after everyone writes it off.
The rest of the West, quickly
Colorado: Keystone’s grid shows 2–4 in. possible Wednesday (NWS Keystone). A-Basin, Keystone, Loveland and Winter Park all say “as soon as possible.” Breck and Copper are dated for Nov 6, Vail for Nov 13 (Snowstash). OpenSnow’s Alan Smith, via TGR, sees a colder, wider pattern Oct 14–18, though it’s still uncertain (TGR).
Montana: Snow is falling around Bridger Bowl, Big Sky and Red Lodge.
Mt. Hood: The Palmer Snowfield has nearly melted out, weeks earlier than last year (SnowBrains).
A note on respect
The Utah Avalanche Center isn’t issuing daily forecasts yet, and early snow on a rain-soaked base deserves real caution. In Alaska on Saturday, two people were caught in an avalanche near Pepper Peak above Eklutna Lake. Both were rescued, one is seriously hurt, and a dog is still missing (SnowBrains).
Events worth your calendar
Blister Summit 2027, April 6–10 at Snowbird. Blister publishes some of the most thorough ski reviews anywhere. Once a year they bring their testers, a hand-picked group of brands and their readers together for a week on one mountain. You can demo next season’s skis, boards and boots back to back as much as you want, join guided backcountry half-days, and hear from athletes and designers in the evenings. Attendees also get discounted lodging at The Cliff and lift tickets. Early-bird registration is $200, the price goes up later, and BLISTER+ members pay $100. Spots are capped, so sign up now (Blister Summit 2027).
Snowbound Expo, Nov 14–15 at Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT. This show has kicked off the Northeast season for more than 40 years. It has about 200 brands and resorts, gear deals, an après party Saturday night, speakers including Jessie Diggins, and a new Alpine Fashion Runway this year. Kids under 12 get in free (Snowbound Expo -Full disclosure I am an official ambassador for the show but I make no money off it).
This week, close to home
If you’re in the DC area and need a ski fix before anything opens, TGR’s 2026 film Actually, It Is Rocket Science is at Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington) this Thursday, Oct 15, and Saturday, Oct 17, at 7 PM ET. It’s all ages. It features Nick McNutt, Kai Jones, Maggie Voisin, Karl Fostvedt and Colter Hinchliffe, shot in Haines, Japan, Jay Peak and Jackson Hole (TGR film page). It’s the closest thing to a powder day you’ll get inside the Beltway this month.
Personal news
New skis just showed up: DPS Pisteworks 89s in a 184. The Look Pivot 15 bindings are still on the way, so for now they’re leaning against the wall looking fast. Once the Pivots land they get mounted, and we wait for the snow. I tried these last year at the blister summit and they may be(are) the best skis I’ve ever ridden. The phrase “you can’t retail your way to being a better skier may need an amendment now that these skis exist in the universe.
Worth a click
Rankings: Condé Nast readers put Big Sky first, Deer Valley second, and Aspen Mountain third. Alta and Snowbird didn’t make the list. I’ll let you decide what that says about the list (SnowBrains).
Swap season: Snowvana’s tour starts next week with gear up to 70% off (Unofficial Networks). If you’re building a quiver on a weekend-skier budget, this is where you do it.
Gear: Powder reviewed the Blizzard Canvas 100, the Elan Ripstick 94 W Black Edition and the Dynastar M-Free 100. SKI has its best gloves and mittens of 2027.
Rampage: Wind canceled the men’s final in Virgin, Utah, after nine riders dropped, and no winner was named. Robin Goomes’s third straight women’s title stands (Pinkbike).
Racing: The Nordic Combined World Cup returns to Lake Placid Feb 5–6 (Unofficial Networks). Killington’s K-1 Gondola will be down for much of summer 2027 (Unofficial Networks). Sölden snow control is Oct 15.
Read: TGR’s “A Super El Niño Is Coming. Here’s What It Means for Skiing This Winter.”
Blister Gear Guide is hitting mailboxes soon. The digital version is up and live and the summit registration link is live with early bird pricing for next spring.
I write this for people who plan around the mountains instead of living in them. If that’s you, subscribe free.
Check your beacon, point ’em downhill, and drop in.
