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Headline RSS FeedForgettable winter season coming to close with more sunny weather
April 16, 2010 —
Another ski season is creeping to an end. And although 2009-10 was a season to forget on the weather front, not all was bad.
There was far less road kill on the I-70 corridor this season due to the lack of moisture and far less avalanche activity in the side country of Vail and Beaver Creek, although an unfortunate accident did take the life of a young snowboarder in early January - just outside of Blue Sky Basin.
Only three avalanche reports to the CAIC this winter as Eagle County locals showed their knowledge, experience and respect for Mother Nature. One slide in the East Vail Chutes was reported with minor injuries and another reported in Mushroom Bowl with the same outcome, both occurring in January.
With less snow comes less shoveling, and we all know that's a bonus, and of course there is always less plowing during a mild snow year, which keeps the magnesium chloride off of the roads and cars. Besides, we did get our promised "big" dump earlier this month, which, might I add, was worth considering losing a job over.
As history shows, the winter after an El Niņo year usually brings the goods. But never fear, as another season blossoms many will flock to warmer climates, many will tie the skins on and keep skiing, many will stay and work, some will jump into the raging cold Colorado rivers and keep playing, but none of us will forget another winter in the Vail Valley. That's why we live here, and for the summers, of course. Before we pack our paddles and bikes, there is one last party to attend.
Today (Friday, April 6) saw mostly sunny and windy skies ahead of another weak system that looks to effect southern Colorado.
Saturday, April 17, will bring cloudy skies and cooler temps as this system quickly moves through the Four Corners, bringing rain and snow showers to all mountain resorts, with any accumulating snow above 10,000 feet. Cloudy skies will keep on-mountain temps in the mid 30s.
Thunderstorms cannot be ruled out either as surface warming in the valleys could spark some electric activity. Saturday night the system moves east leaving Vail under clearing skies.
Closing day (Sunday, April 18) looks to progress from good to great as early morning winds will calm to light breezes with temps increasing as the day wanes. Expect temps well into the 40's by the time ski patrol gets loud, with clear skies by sunset.
Have a great weekend and happy, safe travels to wherever "mud season" takes you.
Enjoy!
2 Comments on "Forgettable winter season coming to close with more sunny weather"
Real Skier — April 22, 2010
Forgettable Season? Really???? Where you on the mountain at all this year? Did you ski any of the over a dozen powder days we had? How about that near two-footer we had on that Wednesday about two weeks ago? Did you not ski when the sun was out and the snow was perfect? You must have been in Summit County when you wrote this because you have no clue what good skiing is...
Reid — May 6, 2010
Real Skier: Actually, my wife and I had our second child this winter, so, no I wasn't on the mountain as much as I would have liked. 15 days is all I got, only 2 powder days, and 4 days at Vail when only the front was open. Guess it was a good year to have a kid. Also, if you count 3 inches as a powder day, then maybe we had 12 total powder days, don't over exaggerate what a true powder day is. Yes I did ski The Beav the Tuesday of the big dump, it was great. But you obliviously haven't been out in CO very long as the last 3 seasons have been tremendous, so yes, compared to all seasons in the decade (excluding 2002) which was an El Nino year. Every year was WAY better than 2009-2010. Also, I take GREAT offense to someone telling me I have no idea what good skiing is. Talk to me when you've been in Colorado for more than a few years. From a weather standpoint, when the state reaches April and the watershed is below 80%, it is considered a dry year with potentially a dangerous summer season ahead, I only call it the way I see it. Not all of us can live the 100 days of skiing dream, happy that you thought 2009-10 El Nino season was, dare I say, EPIC. Thanks for reading, and the comments, keep them coming.
Reid
