Weather | Snow | Utah

Relating to weather, snow science and outdoor endeavors generally during Winter and within the state of Utah. (Added a focus on fire and fire related weather in the western United States. Aug. 22, 2020)

Interlodge at Alta
Articles / Weather | Snow | Utah

Avalanches in Big & Little Cottonwood Canyon Early April 2023

During the last week of March and first week of April, Big & Little Cottonwood Canyons saw an epic snow cycle the likes of which have never been seen before. Little Cottonwood Canyon (“LCC”) closed due to avalanche danger on Sunday April 2, 2023. The canyon generally did not open again until Saturday April 8. (There were two brief periods when the canyon was open to the public to downhill travel only, so that people who needed/wanted could leave. Otherwise, the general public was prohibited from going up or down the canyon during the period April 1-8.

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Cover Image - A History of Avalanche Mitigation in the Cottonwood Canyons
Articles / Weather | Snow | Utah

A History of Avalanche Mitigation in the Cottonwood Canyons

Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon roads carve between steep mountains that are prone to avalanches in the winter. In fact, 57% of the 9-mile Little Cottonwood Canyon Road is in an avalanche runout zone. Still, recreationalists, residents, and canyon employees need to transport themselves up and down these canyons regularly and as safely as possible.

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Two large avalanche crowns seen in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains after heavy snowfall in March, 2019. PHOTO: Scott DW Smith | LOCATION: Silverton, CO
Articles / Weather | Snow | Utah

#Avalanche: In a world obsessed with social media, avalanche centers are relying more and more on the attention-grabbing platforms to better equip backcountry skiers

“Originally, we looked at social media very much as another way of disseminating the forecast,” said Ethan Greene, director of the CAIC. “We still do that, but have been using it more to engage people and try to get out information about current conditions as well as broader education out to people. It’s been a good way for people to ask questions, and we’ve done our best to address those questions.”

#Avalanche: In a world obsessed with social media, avalanche centers are relying more and more on the attention-grabbing platforms to better equip backcountry skiers Read More
Utah Avalanche Center
- WSU Resources / Weather | Snow | Utah

Utah Avalanche Center – Tutorials

Published by the Utah Avalanche Center. The best way to learn about avalanches and how to avoid them is to take an avalanche class from a qualified instructor. You can get a good introduction to understanding avalanches by studying avalanche articles, books, and videos. It’s also important to keep your skills current.

These resources provide a great way to brush up on skills and keep up with the latest technology, theory, and professional practice.

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Little Cottonwood Canyon Weather & Avalanche Information
Articles / - WSU Resources / Weather | Snow | Utah

Little Cottonwood Canyon Weather & Avalanche Information

Little Cottonwood Canyon is a unique environment. Weather is often intense during the Winter and avalanches are of course a major concern. This page provides a variety of information sources so that you can be well informed of current conditions in the canyon. Included are resources from Alta & Snowbird, National Weather Service, Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Dept. of Transportation & Unified Police Greater Salt Lake.

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2018-19 Snow Season at Mid-Gad
Articles / Weather | Snow | Utah

2018-19 Snow Season at Mid-Gad

Records? I think so. Granted I’m comparing Mid-Gad snow study plot to the Alta Guard station study plot, so it’s not exact. But, if you look at season totals at Alta Guard you will see that there are only 2 seasons where we’ve had 700″ or more at Alta Guard. In my book 711 inches at Mid-Gad is fairly rare. Record-worthy to be sure. (Ya, but then there was the 2022-23 season which blew the doors off of 2018-19!)

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Snow Sense
Books, Reports, Films & Images / Weather | Snow | Utah

Snow Sense: A Guide to Evaluating Snow Avalanche Hazard

Published by Alaska Mountain Safety Center, March 24, 2017
By Jill Fredston & Doug Fesler

“A new edition of a best-selling classic. Snow Sense is North America’s leading primer on how to avoid getting caught in an avalanche. Written by the experts, Snow Sense focuses on the critical terrain, snowpack, weather, and human factors that allow avalanche accidents to happen. A must-have for anyone who works or plays in avalanche country.”

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Allen & Mike's Avalanche Book
Books, Reports, Films & Images / Weather | Snow | Utah

Allen & Mike’s Avalanche Book

Published by Globe Pequot Press / Falcon Guides, December, 2012
By Mike Clelland and Allen O’Bannon

“With more and more people heading into the winter backcountry on skis, snowshoes, and snowmobiles, avalanche safety is of paramount importance. Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Avalanche Safety Book distills the sometimes overly technical information of snow science into a user-friendly format with helpful illustrations and easy-to-understand text.”

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Francisco Kjolseth - The Salt Lake Tribune - The ski slopes draw a steady stream to Big Cottonwood Canyon during a recent weekend morning.
Articles / Weather | Snow | Utah

Traffic in Utah’s Cottonwood Canyons Getting Worse

The Salt Lake Tribune, March 30, 2019
By Brian Maffly

“On powder days, Rafferty and nearly every other Alta and Snowbird skier not staying on the mountain, spent more time in cars than on the skis….’While the ski areas have adjusted to accommodate growth on their mountains,’ Maughan said, ‘the road and parking capacities are the same as they were 15 years ago.’”

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