Ski Resorts Getting Up To Three Feet of Weekend Snow

Published January 26, 2023 10:33AM

You’re in luck if you have a ski trip planned — or can make quick moves — to the Northern Rockies this weekend, especially, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Northern Colorado. According to the pros at OpenSnow, the fun begins today and should pick up speed on Friday and Saturday. They’re calling this a “long-duration event” with many areas expected to see two to three feet through the weekend.

The cherry on top is that temps are expected to drop quickly during the storm, which should make for a lighter, fluffier variety of powder. In other words, pack layers and your snorkel.

Here are some resorts expected to get hit hard by this storm, plus a bit on when the skiing will be best, what conditions to expect, and what pass access and lift tickets look like.

5 Ski Resorts In the Storm Path This Weekend

Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Grand Targhee is expected to be the big winner from this latest storm cycle, with an anticipated 34 inches over the next five days. This latest pounding will build off of Tuesday’s weak storm, which gifted Targhee with seven inches of fresh. The snow is supposed to really ramp up late Thursday afternoon and continue through Sunday evening, with the heaviest snowfall expected during the daytime hours on Friday.

Meanwhile, at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, they’re expected to get 28 inches from the upcoming storm cycle, which will build off the measly two inches they got on their upper mountain on Tuesday.

They’re expecting a dreamy, low-density powder with temperatures hovering in the low- to mid-teens on Thursday and Friday before dropping into the single digits on Saturday and Sunday.

Full-day lift tickets start at $120 at Targhee, but if you have the Mountain Collective Pass, you can get up to two free days and 50 percent off single-day tickets. Lift tickets at Jackson Hole are currently $205 for a full day and are capped. Both Ikon and Mountain Collective pass holders can ski Jackson Hole, but need to make reservations in advance.

Montana Snowbowl and Big Sky, Mont.

Snow is already falling near Big Sky, which is expected to get 25 inches over the next five days, but the big storm winner (at least at the moment) is Montana Snowbowl, east of Missoula. They’re forecasted to see around 29 inches of fresh, with a whopping 18 inches on Friday alone.

Other Montana ski areas east of the Continental Divide—including Bridger Bowl, Discovery, and Red Lodge—are expected to get some healthy accumulation too.

It’s gonna be cold out there, especially on Saturday when winds pick up and Arctic-like temps descend on the region. (OpenSnow estimates upper mountain highs around zero degrees Fahrenheit at Snowbowl and five at Big Sky on Saturday.)

Daily lift tickets at Montana Snowbowl are $68, no reservations needed. Lift tickets are currently ranging from $207 to $218 at Big Sky and are capped. The mountain is on the Ikon Pass, but advanced reservations are required.

Steamboat Resort, Colo.

As the storm heads south, it’s expected to hit northern Colorado. Steamboat, who’s snowpack is already at 141 percent and just got a foot of fresh from Tuesday to Wednesday night, should see the biggest dump. The fun should really begin mid-morning on Friday and continue into Saturday with 13 inches anticipated both days. The five-day storm total for Steamboat is currently expected to be 33 inches.

Between 15 and 20 mph winds from the west (and gusts of up to 35) are expected all weekend, so keep that in mind when choosing your ski routes.

The resort is on the Ikon Pass, or daily lift tickets start at $249 for the upcoming weekend. Reservations are not required.

The Bottom Line

Pack an extra layer and plan to ski hard Friday and Saturday, with Sunday being a potential bonus day.

These Ski Resorts Are Expecting Up to Three Feet of Powder This Weekend

5 Ski Resorts In the Storm Path This Weekend

Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Montana Snowbowl and Big Sky, Mont.

Steamboat Resort, Colo.

The Bottom Line