Hyak Ski and Snowboard Adventure

February 2, 2012

2012-02-03T04:19:00.000-08:00

The storms seem to have settled down for now but not before we cracked the 100" mark for January. We were still just below normal, but after such a dismal December it made it seem like so much more. A lot of snow settling has occurred after a few days of rain last week so we've lost all that great powder.
So far we have had a normal Nov, 25% normal Dec and normal January so overall still behind the 8-ball but snow coverage is good, everything is open and this weekend is suppose to be all sunshine!
Base: 6'

January 21, 2012

2012-01-21T19:10:00.000-08:00

Since the 12th we have been getting snow every day with temps running mostly in the low -mid 20's and over 6' of snow. Went out a couple of days to play in this deep, dry stuff and had a blast. Got myself stuck a few times with snow so deep but it is much preferred to seeing creeks and dirt. Snowfall is still about 20" behind last years total and far behind normal but at least we are now on the right track. With all the new snow and after it has settled down we are well over 6' deep here at Hyak.
Base: 6'+

January 17, 2012

2012-01-21T19:05:00.001-08:00

The storms have finally arrived. After one of the worse Decembers I can remember, January is finally kicking it into gear. MLK weekend kicked off with 7" Sunday morning, 4" Monday AM then 2 feet more by Tuesday AM. Tomorrow is suppose to be the big snow day of these storms (at least another 2') so things are rolling along pretty good right now as long as you don't have to do the shoveling.
Base: 5 '

December 28, 2011

2011-12-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

It has been a couple days of rain, the lodge has flooded and Hyak has closed. With all the snow melt I'd think that Hyak would most likely be closing anyway but hopefully new snow will be falling this weekend and the area will get the lodge cleaned out. I am very surprised with all the work done at Hyak that drainage by the lodge would have been resolved well before this. Lets hope for colder weather and some snowfall!! Temp right now is 37 at 3:45pm but was up to a high of 43 so maybe a cold front is already making its way.
Base: 2'

December 21, 2011

2011-12-21T05:54:00.000-08:00

First day of winter and finally some more new snow. Looks like maybe 3-4" but nothing more really predicted for the next 5 days or so. Dismal December so far, well below normal snowfall even worse then last season. Snowfall is below normal for the year, but at least the resorts are open. Hyak is scheduled to open up Monday the 26th, the day after Christmas.!!
Base: 2 1/2'+

December 15, 2011

2011-12-15T13:13:00.000-08:00

Halfway through December and we really haven't had much of anything this month (maybe 4" so far). It snowed 2" last night but today the SL has gone up quick and it is now raining. Things need to turn around or what little snow we have might start to thin out. Hyak is suppose to open for Nordic this weekend.
Base: 2'+

December 9, 2011

2011-12-09T08:23:00.001-08:00

Well, there hasn't been much posting in this blog for the reason that there really isn't much going on. Hyak still has not opened, but there are rumors of nordic opening on the 17 and alpine on the 26th? As far as snow goes, nothing is falling. So far this season could be a repeat of last year where we got the Nov dump then nothing much in December. Just clear skies and cold weather so far the past week and predicted on forward to the next week. Hope we get some snow soon.
Base: 2 1/2'

November 27, 2011

2011-11-28T05:58:00.001-08:00

Made it through Thanksgiving weekend with a bit more new snow, then Saturday high snow levels and rain. Saturday was mostly light rain to drizzle ending around noon but Sunday was a steady rain pretty much most of the day. The afternoon starting around 2:30pm the rain changed to snow then back and forth to rain eventually ending around 7pm. Good early snow cover but weather predictions don't have good news for snowfall for the next week.
Base: 3'

November 22, 2011

2011-11-22T05:55:00.001-08:00

Weekend of snow and all of the major ski resorts have opened. West opened Saturday and was packed all weekend. Central is being groomed and appears to be getting ready to open this week. We are over 2' on the ground and it is still snowing. A warming is suppose to hit us for the next couple days before SL's drop on Thanksgiving bringing more snow. Just hope we don't get too much washed away before that happens.
Base: 2'+

November 17, 2011

2011-11-17T10:53:00.001-08:00

I did my first hike of the season yesterday and the snow was deeper then I had expected. I ended up sinking in the heavy snow...slow going then after I went through a creek my base got wet, then snow froze to it stopping me like glue. I ended up walking down the rest of the way. Not the best ride, but at least I got a few turns in. Snowed another 6" last night.
Base: 17"

November 15, 2011

2011-11-15T11:39:00.001-08:00

Another storm, another US-90 road closure (2 hr) and of course, more snow. SL's are staying low and snow continued into the night and had ended by midnight. Another 7-8" fell yesterday and tomorrow night another storm is forecast to hit. Rumors are spreading that the Summit is going to shoot for opening West on Thanksgiving weekend as long as the snow keeps coming.
Base: 10"

November 14, 2011

2011-11-14T07:29:00.001-08:00

Our first weekend of snow storms didn't yield as much snow as predicted, but it did offer the first road closure and made the slopes white. We received 3" by Saturday morning then another 4" through Saturday before the snow levels raised to about 3,500'. Since Sat night and through Sunday it has been pretty much rain or rain/snow mix. SL is suppose to drop to 2,000' and stay low all week with another storm Wed.
As of 7:30am the rain is turning to snow at Hyak and the snow that is left from the weekend is wet slop, even too wet to make a snowman.
Base: 4"

November 3, 2011

2011-11-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

First 'storm' of the year and it left us with white on the ground. By mid day most was gone, but the first real snowfall of the year has hit the pass. Found survey crews on the hill marking out the Rampart lift. Rumor is that installation of the footings stats next season??

October 31, 2011

2011-11-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Halloween and first sign of snow at the pass level. A few flakes falling, but that is about it. The ski area has been doing a lot of work over the summer on Hidden Valley with tree clearing and finishing up on the grading.