Blue bird day over the softest snow ever

The most beautiful day of the season. The lightest snow of the season. The softest snow of the season. 

The perfect day for a dog mushing adventure. Local dog musher takes guests for a ride in the soft, quiet snow under a blue bird sky.

Alyeska's upper tram seen from Moose Meadows.

Heavy spring blizzard lays it down on Girdwood

Well, how about a little spring blizzard to shake up the town! Wow! When we went to bed Sunday night it was quiet, cold and a little snow falling, enough but quiet. When we woke up Monday morning, BAM 10 inches of fresh powder! This is how the weather prediction goes for Girdwood. When there is snow predicted for an accumulation of 3-4 inches, that usually means 4-6 to 8 inches for Girdwood. When there is a blizzard warning with accumulations predicted of 4-6 inches, there is no limit for Girdwood. This early spring blizzard is a classic example of how difficult it is to predict weather when mountains collide with oceans and jet streams. 

At 9 am there was 10 inches of fresh snow at the T in Girdwood as seen in the photo of my foot on my driveway. Visibility in Glacier valley was low, I could see a quarter mile down the road but good visibility was only one eighth of a mile. Above is a photo of a car turning onto a road that is literally one house-lot away from my driveway. Usually I can see all the way to Crow Creek Road. This morning I cannot even see the bridge over Glacier Creek. Below is a photo taken from the front of the Daylodge toward Alyeska’s live christmas tree near the wooden sign. We are talking white out conditions. 

As for the skiers and riders, those who loved powder were in for a treat. By the time they made it back up to the top on the lift, the snow had already filled in tracks from the previous run, instant refills they call it! Cute. The fat skis were out en masse today!

Looking down Arlberg Avenue at 9 am, the Jade Shop is on the right past the green sign.  Below you can see the snow stacking up on snow.

The large solid wood sign marking your arrival to Alyeska Resort (this is the back) is my favorite part of the resort. It is heavy, strong, does not change and will not let you down.

Here is one of our few front end loaders clearing a back road. It is about 4 pm in this photo, still near white out conditions. Alyeska ski patrol had to close the upper bowl for fear of avalanche danger. I can’t wait to hear the counts of snow feet on the upper mountain! As for my house, by time I returned home after 4 pm, another 10 inches of snow had fallen. Thankfully, our driveway was cleared for a second time. Below is the afternoon view down the Alyeska Highway, very close to the same location of the first photo in this post, just from the other side of the road. Glacier Valley and probably all of the Turnagain Arm was experiencing this white out view.

The snowfall was relentless, heavier at times than others but never letting up until nightfall. The flakes were small too, not big fat ones. Usually when flakes are small they are wet but these were just falling so quick they did not have time to build up extra rings of crystals. Never-the-less, they were powder-riffic indeed! the piles of snow were soo sooo soft and fluffy. Below is one last view looking back toward Max''s Mountain, its there somewhere, really!

Powder -riffic time in Glacier Valley this week

Are you contemplating? Waiting for a reason? No more questions, its a great weekend to visit Girdwood, Alaska! The snow has been fabulous all week and the temperatures are perfect for being outside, not to cold, and not too warm so the snow is stable. Glacier Valley has received over 14 inches of snow this week, at least 

It has been a powder day every day on the mountain this week. Today western Prince William Sound was under a blizzard warning which has since expired. However, snow stays in the forecast. What slow start to the season? I hope we have all forgotten that by now with this gorgeous white ground cover. Saturday is a wonderful night to take advantage of the conditions since there is night skiing at Alyeska.

Here are some great views to entice you. 

Heavy, white, blizzard Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! Were ever you are, I hope this little glimpse of relentless snow makes you feel the spirit of the season. It has been snowing heavily since yesterday. At one point last night, about 10p, the temperature had warmed up to 36° at the turn off to Girdwood on the Seward. As a result, the snow was very slushy and wet. It was so wet it was very heavy to shovel off the driveway. At that time the temperature was 36° at the T.

Today, however, the temperature is cooler, down to 33°, we’d like to to drop a few more just to be sure the snow doesn’t melt for the skiers! It has been windier here in Glacier Valley for Christmas day. The Resort had to delay opening due to avalanche mitigation and did not run the new Ted’s Express due to high winds. Below is a view toward the ski mountain, you can just barely see the lights on the mountain the snow is so thick. With the lower temperature, I can see the snow is not as wet as yesterday. The flakes are not falling as hard indicating they are not as heavy. We like that best! 

All of you adventurous skiers, please be aware there is an avalanche warning issued by NOAA and the CNFAIC. See the Special Weather Statement link. I know all this fresh stuff is tempting, but remember, its wet and it has fallen on several layers of frost which make for weak layers. The snow needs to build up heavy enough to smash those frost crystals. Or, let the avalanches occur naturally before you venture out! 

I hope every one is home safe to celebrate the day, warm and cozy, sharing quiet time with friends or family. For those of us not home, lets think warm thoughts and hope everyone sent overseas at their government’s request returns home soon. 

A blizzard in the forecast

With NOAA issuing a blizzard warning, snow is sure to arrive soon. The blizzard warning is for tonight through Monday night with snow in the forecast for most of the week. Thank goodness it will break the cold spell, for now.

The temperature is 3° in Girdwood this morning. Expect blue skies for the early part of the day.

Tomorrow is Christmas eve, anyone dressed like Santa will ski free at Alyeska Resort, check their site for more details.

Temperature is up finally, 23° snow is coming!

The blizzard warning is still in effect, we are expecting over 8" of snow in Girdwood. Visibility will be low on the Seward highway, please drive slow and look out for busses. Its the first powder day!

It is cloudy and the temperature is finally up, 23°! Snow is 100% in the forecast. Interesting way the front hit south central.

Check alaska 511 and the avalanche information center for the most accurate weather, do not rely on your iphone weather app!

The snow has finally come and raised the temperatures as well. This morning at 9 am it was 30° unbelievable. The snow plow has been down the Alyeska Highway twice and will be needed all day!

The above view is the base of Alyeska at the Daylodge. It is a terrible photo, hard to focus because it was snowing so heavily. 

As of 5 pm, not an accurate measurement, but I’d say we have had between 3 and 4” of fresh fluff. My friends who drove in from Anchorage today said it was snowing the whole way. Another person said it was really windy. In Girdwood we only had about 30 minutes of winds heavy enough to knock about half the snow and ice off the trees. At 9pm the wind is gone and the snow has lightened considerably.