How likely is there to be skiable snow on the ground by the 2nd week of October?

Second but related question:
Is the snow there more temperature or moisture related? In other words, if the wet weather is there, is it cold enough in early October to snow?

Second but related question: Is the snow there more temperature or moisture related? In other words, if the wet weather is there, is it cold enough in early October to snow?

Here's a little tidbit.......I'm from a little out of the way place about 250 miles straight south of Denver and we've gotten snow in May and August................:D Not a yearly occurance, but something to hope for.

Who knows! It's Colorado! It'll probably be 70°.

Seriously, though, the high country should have snow by then. I think Bobzooki lives near Winter Park, he could probably give you a more accurate snow depth guess from history than I could.
We've had snow as early as the end of August to first week of September in the lower elevations. Anyone remember the September '95 snow storm? Wet and heavy. We lost a maple tree to that one.

Here's a little tidbit.......I'm from a little out of the way place about 250 miles straight south of Denver and we've gotten snow in May and August................ Not a yearly occurance, but something to hope for.

Heck, we've had it in mid-June!

Originally posted by nakona
How likely is there to be skiable snow

Zip, zero, nada, none.

The skiable snow varies greatly. If any resorts would open, it would be Keystone in summit county or Loveland right at the tunnel. In early Oct. there would only be 1 or 2 runs open and they would mostly be man made snow. But who knows the highs haw only really been in the mid 70's and it seems to rain every night, meaning that it could lead to a good early season.


john

Originally posted by Breck4x4
The skiable snow varies greatly. If any resorts would open, it would be Keystone in summit county or Loveland right at the tunnel. In early Oct. there would only be 1 or 2 runs open and they would mostly be man made snow. But who knows the highs haw only really been in the mid 70's and it seems to rain every night, meaning that it could lead to a good early season.


john I dont remember ski season starting earlier than mid to late November, with or w/out man made snow...but I havent ski'd or boarded in years so I never paid close attention

Moisture is a big plus but CO's average humidity is like 35-40%, IIRC. Makes it hard to snow when its 10* an 5% humidity.

An early season is being open before Thanksgiving, which we were last year. Bring rental ski's for that rock slide.
October... You could dress up as a skier for Halloween.

Originally posted by nakona
How likely is there to be skiable snow on the ground by the 2nd week of October?

if the wet weather is there, is it cold enough in early October to snow?

1. About Zero Percent. Most of the Ski areas shoot for a Thanksgiving opening. There will be snow in October (usually) but not enough base to support opening the resorts. I have seen very heavy snow by he second week of October, but that wasn't enough to open the slopes.

2. In the last four years, hunting elk in the second week of October, I would say that temps in the 60's to 70's at 9,000 feet has been more common, than sub-freezing weather.

But it's Colorado - you NEVER try to predict the weather here. It's a losing proposition. :D

Oh well.

People ski here?? :confused: I gotta get out more! :D :roxy:

Originally posted by Roxywheels
People ski here?? :confused: I gotta get out more! :D :roxy:

Yes, and some of us can drive all the way up and back without getting stranded.... :D

Originally posted by Spaceman


Yes, and some of us can drive all the way up and back without getting stranded.... :D

I need to meet these people so I can catch a ride with them! :flipoff2: :roxy:

Like has been said before, NEVER try to predict the weather here. It was 95* when I came back from lunch an hour, it would not surprise me all that much if when I left at 6 there was a foot of snow on the ground. The earliest I recall seeing snow close to Denver was Sept 8th, 2001, snowline was a couple hundred feet above town.

Personally, I would leave the skis at home and bring your rig!

Best shot for early snow in CO is south of Denver in Wolf Creek, near Pagosa Springs. I've gone there before when it was 100% open with a 70ish" base in early Oct.:D . I've heard them open as early as Sept before also. Of course that's not really that close to Denver. But if you are really looking for some early snow, you can make a long day trip of it. We've done it plenty of times as our season opener. Leave at 4 am and be home by 8 pm. It's a smaller ski area, like only 4-5 lifts, but they get assloads of snow. They don't even have man made snow there. give it a shot if you want to, it will be my first trip of the year as usual.