Ski and powder
Ski and powder forecasts: how they work
A ski snow forecast starts with a weather model’s precipitation, then adjusts it for the height on the mountain, the temperature at that height and how fluffy or heavy the snow will be. No single model run is a promise, so a powder call is worth planning around when several different models agree on timing and amount.
Ski Forecast in 4070 does that adjustment for 205 resorts in the US and Canada and shows the models side by side.
Why mountain snow is harder to forecast
A forecast for the town at the bottom of a valley says little about the chairlift at the top. Four things change the answer.
Elevation
Air cools as it rises. NOAA’s standard figure is about 3.5°F colder for every 1,000 feet you climb, though real days vary.
A storm can fall as rain at the base and snow at the summit. A good ski forecast is made for a height on the mountain, not for the town below it.
Snow-liquid ratio
The ratio compares inches of snow with the inch of water you would get if it melted. Ten to one is the common rule of thumb. Cold, light snow can pile up far deeper than that, and wet snow near freezing piles up shallower.
Two forecasts with the same liquid total can differ by a foot of snow. Ask what ratio the amount assumes, and whether it changes with temperature.
Orographic lift
When wind pushes moist air up a mountain, the air cools and its water turns into cloud, rain or snow. The side facing the wind gets the most, and the far side often gets much less.
Weather models see mountains as smoothed hills, so a model can miss how much a steep range wrings out of a storm. Nearby resorts can end up with very different totals.
Lake effect
When cold air crosses open, relatively warm lake water, it picks up warmth and moisture, rises and builds narrow bands of heavy snow downwind. NWS says forecasters need the right wind direction, an unfrozen lake and air well below the water temperature.
Bands are often only a few miles wide, so one resort can get a foot while another nearby sees flurries. Wind direction changes who is under the band.
How to read a multi-model snow forecast
Different models make different mistakes, so comparing them is the best check you have. Read them in this order.
- Start with timing, then amounts. If the models agree on when snow starts and stops, the storm is probably real. Amounts are harder, so treat the first number you see as a middle of a range.
- Count models, not lines. A model can run dozens of forecasts, called ensemble members. Ten members from one model that agree are one opinion. Several different models that agree is stronger evidence.
- Check the spread. A tight bundle of lines means the models agree. A wide fan means the models disagree, and the middle line may be a total that no single forecast actually shows.
- Look at the rain-snow line. Compare the base, the middle and the summit. A storm that stays snow at the summit and turns to rain at the base is a very different day for each lift.
- Respect the calendar. The next day or two usually hold up best. Beyond a week, even the best-supported powder call can shift by a day or land on a different range.
When to trust a powder call
| Lean on it when | Treat it as a maybe when |
|---|---|
| Several different models agree on the start and end time. | One model shows a big storm and the rest show a dusting. |
| Most ensemble members put the heaviest snow on the same day. | The members fan out across a week. |
| Temperatures at the summit stay well below freezing. | Temperatures sit near freezing, where a degree or two flips snow to rain. |
| The storm is one or two days away. | The storm is eight to ten days away. |
| The wind favors your side of the range. | A small wind shift moves the heavy bands to the next valley. |
For the full picture of model spread, see the ensembles guide, and for the basics of comparing runs, how to read weather models. The 500 mb map guide shows the upper-level pattern behind a big storm.
What El Niño typically means for ski regions
NOAA has an El Niño Advisory in effect for winter 2026-27. These are the regional calls from the Weather Decision Solutions forecast desk for what a strong El Niño could mean for ski regions. They are a lean and not a promise, and every event is different.
| Region | Forecast desk call |
|---|---|
| Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe | The forecast desk expects an exceptional Sierra Nevada snowpack in a strong El Niño, with a stormy southern track. Heavy storms also bring flood and landslide risk. |
| Southern California mountains | The desk calls Southern California the wettest region on its map, at the front of an active Pacific storm track. |
| Utah, Colorado and the Southwest | More precipitation across the Southwest and the southern Rockies, which helps areas that have struggled with drought. |
| Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies | The desk expects more mountain snowfall across the West through the season and into spring. |
| Great Lakes and Upper Midwest | Fewer prolonged Arctic air outbreaks across the Midwest and Great Lakes, with winter storms still possible. |
| Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and southern Appalachians | Fewer prolonged Arctic outbreaks across the Northeast and often milder average temperatures, with winter storms still possible. |
For the region-by-region story and when NOAA updates its outlook, read Winter 2026-27 and El Niño.
How Ski Forecast works in 4070
Ski Forecast maps forecast snow at 205 resorts. Each resort is a dot colored by the snow expected, with the amount beside it.
Choose a region, then Base, Mid or Peak. Mid is halfway between a resort’s base and its summit. Look at the total snow since the start of the forecast, or just the last 24 hours, from all models together or from one model. Open a resort for a chart where each thin line is one forecast and the thick line is the middle of all models, plus storm timing that says when snow starts, when it stops and whether a model turns it to rain.
Weather models see land as a smooth surface, so a model’s own height is often well below a ski area’s summit. Ski Forecast adjusts temperature and precipitation from the model’s height to the height you pick before it counts snow, and in an internal test against last winter’s measurements from mountain snow stations, the adjusted amounts matched those measurements better than unadjusted model snow. The amounts are estimates from models, not what a resort has measured or reported.
Ski Forecast is part of 4070 Pro, which is seven days free and then $14.95 a month. It is under Forecasts in the web app and in the mobile apps.
Resorts covered
Ski Forecast covers 205 resorts. Base and summit heights are approximate, and vertical is the summit minus the base.
California and Lake Tahoe21 resorts
| Resort | State or province | Base (ft) | Summit (ft) | Vertical (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Meadows | California | 6,835 | 8,637 | 1,802 |
| Bear Mountain | California | 7,140 | 8,805 | 1,665 |
| Bear Valley | California | 6,600 | 8,500 | 1,900 |
| Boreal | California | 7,200 | 7,700 | 500 |
| Dodge Ridge | California | 6,600 | 8,200 | 1,600 |
| Donner Ski Ranch | California | 7,031 | 7,781 | 750 |
| Heavenly | California | 6,540 | 10,067 | 3,527 |
| Homewood | California | 6,230 | 7,880 | 1,650 |
| June Mountain | California | 7,545 | 10,090 | 2,545 |
| Kirkwood | California | 7,800 | 9,805 | 2,005 |
| Mammoth Mountain | California | 9,000 | 11,053 | 2,053 |
| Mountain High | California | 6,600 | 8,200 | 1,600 |
| Mt. Baldy | California | 6,500 | 8,600 | 2,100 |
| Mt. Shasta Ski Park | California | 5,500 | 7,536 | 2,036 |
| Northstar California | California | 6,330 | 8,610 | 2,280 |
| Palisades Tahoe | California | 6,200 | 9,050 | 2,850 |
| Sierra-at-Tahoe | California | 7,280 | 8,852 | 1,572 |
| Snow Summit | California | 7,000 | 8,200 | 1,200 |
| Sugar Bowl | California | 6,883 | 8,383 | 1,500 |
| Diamond Peak | Nevada | 6,700 | 8,540 | 1,840 |
| Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe | Nevada | 8,260 | 9,700 | 1,440 |
Pacific Northwest17 resorts
| Resort | State or province | Base (ft) | Summit (ft) | Vertical (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Lakes | Oregon | 7,100 | 8,000 | 900 |
| Hoodoo | Oregon | 4,668 | 5,703 | 1,035 |
| Mt. Ashland | Oregon | 6,350 | 7,500 | 1,150 |
| Mt. Bachelor | Oregon | 6,350 | 9,065 | 2,715 |
| Mt. Hood Meadows | Oregon | 4,523 | 7,300 | 2,777 |
| Mt. Hood Skibowl | Oregon | 3,600 | 5,010 | 1,410 |
| Timberline Lodge | Oregon | 6,000 | 8,540 | 2,540 |
| Willamette Pass | Oregon | 5,120 | 6,683 | 1,563 |
| 49 Degrees North | Washington | 3,923 | 5,774 | 1,851 |
| Alpental | Washington | 3,140 | 5,420 | 2,280 |
| Crystal Mountain | Washington | 4,400 | 7,012 | 2,612 |
| Mission Ridge | Washington | 4,570 | 6,820 | 2,250 |
| Mt. Baker | Washington | 3,500 | 5,089 | 1,589 |
| Mt. Spokane | Washington | 4,200 | 5,889 | 1,689 |
| Stevens Pass | Washington | 4,061 | 5,845 | 1,784 |
| The Summit at Snoqualmie | Washington | 2,840 | 3,865 | 1,025 |
| White Pass | Washington | 4,500 | 6,550 | 2,050 |
Northern Rockies20 resorts
| Resort | State or province | Base (ft) | Summit (ft) | Vertical (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogus Basin | Idaho | 6,150 | 7,582 | 1,432 |
| Brundage Mountain Resort | Idaho | 5,882 | 7,803 | 1,921 |
| Lookout Pass | Idaho | 4,500 | 6,150 | 1,650 |
| Schweitzer | Idaho | 4,700 | 6,400 | 1,700 |
| Silver Mountain Resort | Idaho | 5,650 | 6,297 | 647 |
| Soldier Mountain | Idaho | 5,756 | 7,177 | 1,421 |
| Sun Valley | Idaho | 5,750 | 9,150 | 3,400 |
| Tamarack Resort | Idaho | 4,900 | 7,660 | 2,760 |
| Big Sky Resort | Montana | 7,500 | 11,166 | 3,666 |
| Bridger Bowl | Montana | 6,100 | 8,700 | 2,600 |
| Discovery Ski Area | Montana | 6,480 | 8,158 | 1,678 |
| Lost Trail Powder Mountain | Montana | 7,000 | 8,200 | 1,200 |
| Montana Snowbowl | Montana | 5,000 | 7,600 | 2,600 |
| Red Lodge Mountain | Montana | 7,433 | 9,416 | 1,983 |
| Showdown Montana | Montana | 6,800 | 8,200 | 1,400 |
| Whitefish Mountain Resort | Montana | 4,464 | 6,817 | 2,353 |
| Grand Targhee | Wyoming | 7,851 | 9,862 | 2,011 |
| Jackson Hole | Wyoming | 6,311 | 10,450 | 4,139 |
| Snow King Mountain | Wyoming | 6,237 | 7,808 | 1,571 |
| Snowy Range | Wyoming | 8,798 | 9,663 | 865 |
Utah11 resorts
| Resort | State or province | Base (ft) | Summit (ft) | Vertical (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alta | Utah | 8,530 | 10,550 | 2,020 |
| Beaver Mountain | Utah | 7,200 | 8,860 | 1,660 |
| Brian Head Resort | Utah | 9,600 | 10,920 | 1,320 |
| Brighton | Utah | 8,755 | 10,500 | 1,745 |
| Deer Valley Resort | Utah | 7,200 | 9,570 | 2,370 |
| Park City Mountain | Utah | 6,800 | 10,026 | 3,226 |
| Powder Mountain | Utah | 8,130 | 8,900 | 770 |
| Snowbasin | Utah | 6,391 | 9,350 | 2,959 |
| Snowbird | Utah | 8,100 | 11,000 | 2,900 |
| Solitude | Utah | 7,994 | 10,488 | 2,494 |
| Sundance Mountain Resort | Utah | 6,100 | 8,250 | 2,150 |
Colorado24 resorts
| Resort | State or province | Base (ft) | Summit (ft) | Vertical (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arapahoe Basin | Colorado | 10,780 | 13,050 | 2,270 |
| Aspen Highlands | Colorado | 8,040 | 11,675 | 3,635 |
| Aspen Mountain | Colorado | 7,945 | 11,212 | 3,267 |
| Beaver Creek | Colorado | 8,100 | 11,440 | 3,340 |
| Breckenridge | Colorado | 9,600 | 12,998 | 3,398 |
| Buttermilk | Colorado | 7,870 | 9,900 | 2,030 |
| Copper Mountain | Colorado | 9,712 | 12,313 | 2,601 |
| Crested Butte | Colorado | 9,375 | 12,162 | 2,787 |
| Eldora Mountain Resort | Colorado | 9,200 | 10,600 | 1,400 |
| Granby Ranch | Colorado | 8,202 | 9,202 | 1,000 |
| Keystone | Colorado | 9,280 | 12,408 | 3,128 |
| Loveland | Colorado | 10,800 | 13,010 | 2,210 |
| Monarch Mountain | Colorado | 10,727 | 11,952 | 1,225 |
| Powderhorn | Colorado | 8,200 | 9,850 | 1,650 |
| Purgatory Resort | Colorado | 8,793 | 10,822 | 2,029 |
| Silverton Mountain | Colorado | 10,400 | 13,487 | 3,087 |
| Ski Cooper | Colorado | 10,500 | 11,700 | 1,200 |
| Snowmass | Colorado | 8,104 | 12,510 | 4,406 |
| Steamboat | Colorado | 6,900 | 10,568 | 3,668 |
| Sunlight Mountain Resort | Colorado | 7,885 | 9,895 | 2,010 |
| Telluride | Colorado | 8,725 | 12,515 | 3,790 |
| Vail | Colorado | 8,120 | 11,570 | 3,450 |
| Winter Park Resort | Colorado | 9,000 | 12,060 | 3,060 |
| Wolf Creek | Colorado | 10,300 | 11,904 | 1,604 |
Southwest9 resorts
| Resort | State or province | Base (ft) | Summit (ft) | Vertical (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Snowbowl | Arizona | 9,200 | 11,500 | 2,300 |
| Sunrise Park Resort | Arizona | 9,200 | 11,100 | 1,900 |
| Angel Fire Resort | New Mexico | 8,554 | 10,677 | 2,123 |
| Pajarito Mountain | New Mexico | 9,000 | 10,440 | 1,440 |
| Red River Ski Area | New Mexico | 8,750 | 10,350 | 1,600 |
| Sipapu | New Mexico | 8,200 | 9,255 | 1,055 |
| Ski Apache | New Mexico | 9,600 | 11,500 | 1,900 |
| Ski Santa Fe | New Mexico | 10,350 | 12,075 | 1,725 |
| Taos Ski Valley | New Mexico | 9,200 | 12,481 | 3,281 |
Great Lakes and Upper Midwest17 resorts
| Resort | State or province | Base (ft) | Summit (ft) | Vertical (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Powderhorn Mountain | Michigan | 1,214 | 1,631 | 417 |
| Boyne Mountain | Michigan | 719 | 1,152 | 433 |
| Crystal Mountain Michigan | Michigan | 757 | 1,132 | 375 |
| Marquette Mountain | Michigan | 757 | 1,357 | 600 |
| Mont Ripley | Michigan | 700 | 1,140 | 440 |
| Mount Bohemia | Michigan | 600 | 1,465 | 865 |
| Nub's Nob | Michigan | 911 | 1,338 | 427 |
| Snowriver Mountain Resort | Michigan | 1,212 | 1,750 | 538 |
| The Highlands at Harbor Springs | Michigan | 787 | 1,316 | 529 |
| Giants Ridge | Minnesota | 1,472 | 1,972 | 500 |
| Lutsen Mountains | Minnesota | 863 | 1,688 | 825 |
| Spirit Mountain | Minnesota | 620 | 1,298 | 678 |
| Blue Mountain Resort | Ontario | 750 | 1,480 | 730 |
| Horseshoe Resort | Ontario | 1,024 | 1,332 | 308 |
| Searchmont Resort | Ontario | 899 | 1,601 | 702 |
| Cascade Mountain | Wisconsin | 820 | 1,270 | 450 |
| Granite Peak Ski Area | Wisconsin | 1,250 | 1,950 | 700 |
Northeast45 resorts
| Resort | State or province | Base (ft) | Summit (ft) | Vertical (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiminy Peak | Massachusetts | 1,245 | 2,375 | 1,130 |
| Wachusett Mountain | Massachusetts | 1,000 | 2,006 | 1,006 |
| Pleasant Mountain | Maine | 600 | 1,900 | 1,300 |
| Saddleback | Maine | 2,460 | 4,120 | 1,660 |
| Sugarloaf | Maine | 1,417 | 4,237 | 2,820 |
| Sunday River | Maine | 800 | 3,140 | 2,340 |
| Attitash | New Hampshire | 600 | 2,350 | 1,750 |
| Bretton Woods | New Hampshire | 1,600 | 3,100 | 1,500 |
| Cannon Mountain | New Hampshire | 1,900 | 4,080 | 2,180 |
| Cranmore Mountain Resort | New Hampshire | 500 | 1,700 | 1,200 |
| Gunstock Mountain Resort | New Hampshire | 960 | 2,300 | 1,340 |
| Loon Mountain | New Hampshire | 860 | 3,050 | 2,190 |
| Mount Sunapee | New Hampshire | 1,233 | 2,743 | 1,510 |
| Waterville Valley | New Hampshire | 1,984 | 4,004 | 2,020 |
| Wildcat Mountain | New Hampshire | 1,950 | 4,062 | 2,112 |
| Belleayre | New York | 2,025 | 3,429 | 1,404 |
| Gore Mountain | New York | 998 | 3,600 | 2,602 |
| Holiday Valley | New York | 1,500 | 2,250 | 750 |
| Hunter Mountain | New York | 1,600 | 3,200 | 1,600 |
| Plattekill Mountain | New York | 2,400 | 3,500 | 1,100 |
| Whiteface Mountain | New York | 1,220 | 4,386 | 3,166 |
| Windham Mountain | New York | 1,500 | 3,100 | 1,600 |
| Bromont | Quebec | 630 | 1,804 | 1,174 |
| Le Massif de Charlevoix | Quebec | 118 | 2,644 | 2,526 |
| Mont Orford | Quebec | 1,040 | 2,789 | 1,749 |
| Mont Saint-Sauveur | Quebec | 666 | 1,365 | 699 |
| Mont Sutton | Quebec | 1,312 | 2,812 | 1,500 |
| Mont Tremblant | Quebec | 755 | 2,871 | 2,116 |
| Mont-Sainte-Anne | Quebec | 574 | 2,625 | 2,051 |
| Owl's Head | Quebec | 784 | 2,343 | 1,559 |
| Stoneham | Quebec | 814 | 1,946 | 1,132 |
| Bolton Valley Resort | Vermont | 2,100 | 3,150 | 1,050 |
| Bromley Mountain | Vermont | 1,950 | 3,284 | 1,334 |
| Burke Mountain | Vermont | 1,210 | 3,267 | 2,057 |
| Jay Peak Resort | Vermont | 1,750 | 3,862 | 2,112 |
| Killington Resort | Vermont | 1,165 | 4,241 | 3,076 |
| Mad River Glen | Vermont | 1,600 | 3,637 | 2,037 |
| Magic Mountain | Vermont | 1,350 | 2,850 | 1,500 |
| Mount Snow | Vermont | 1,900 | 3,600 | 1,700 |
| Okemo Mountain Resort | Vermont | 1,144 | 3,344 | 2,200 |
| Pico Mountain | Vermont | 2,000 | 3,967 | 1,967 |
| Smugglers' Notch Resort | Vermont | 1,030 | 3,640 | 2,610 |
| Stowe Mountain Resort | Vermont | 1,559 | 3,625 | 2,066 |
| Stratton Mountain Resort | Vermont | 1,872 | 3,875 | 2,003 |
| Sugarbush Resort | Vermont | 1,575 | 4,083 | 2,508 |
Mid-Atlantic and Southeast19 resorts
| Resort | State or province | Base (ft) | Summit (ft) | Vertical (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisp Resort | Maryland | 2,415 | 3,115 | 700 |
| Appalachian Ski Mtn | North Carolina | 3,635 | 4,000 | 365 |
| Beech Mountain | North Carolina | 4,675 | 5,506 | 831 |
| Cataloochee Ski Area | North Carolina | 4,660 | 5,400 | 740 |
| Sugar Mountain | North Carolina | 4,100 | 5,300 | 1,200 |
| Mountain Creek | New Jersey | 449 | 1,490 | 1,041 |
| Blue Knob | Pennsylvania | 2,100 | 3,172 | 1,072 |
| Blue Mountain Resort | Pennsylvania | 458 | 1,540 | 1,082 |
| Camelback Mountain Resort | Pennsylvania | 1,250 | 2,100 | 850 |
| Elk Mountain | Pennsylvania | 1,742 | 2,667 | 925 |
| Liberty Mountain Resort | Pennsylvania | 591 | 1,165 | 574 |
| Seven Springs | Pennsylvania | 2,240 | 2,994 | 754 |
| Whitetail Resort | Pennsylvania | 865 | 1,800 | 935 |
| Bryce Resort | Virginia | 1,250 | 1,690 | 440 |
| Massanutten Resort | Virginia | 1,750 | 2,860 | 1,110 |
| Wintergreen Resort | Virginia | 2,512 | 3,515 | 1,003 |
| Canaan Valley Resort | West Virginia | 3,430 | 4,280 | 850 |
| Snowshoe Mountain | West Virginia | 3,348 | 4,848 | 1,500 |
| Timberline Mountain | West Virginia | 3,268 | 4,268 | 1,000 |
Canada22 resorts
| Resort | State or province | Base (ft) | Summit (ft) | Vertical (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banff Sunshine | Alberta | 5,446 | 8,957 | 3,511 |
| Castle Mountain Resort | Alberta | 4,675 | 7,529 | 2,854 |
| Lake Louise Ski Resort | Alberta | 5,400 | 8,650 | 3,250 |
| Marmot Basin | Alberta | 5,570 | 8,570 | 3,000 |
| Mt. Norquay | Alberta | 5,512 | 6,998 | 1,486 |
| Nakiska | Alberta | 5,003 | 7,415 | 2,412 |
| Apex Mountain Resort | British Columbia | 5,187 | 7,187 | 2,000 |
| Big White | British Columbia | 5,758 | 7,608 | 1,850 |
| Cypress Mountain | British Columbia | 2,710 | 4,720 | 2,010 |
| Fernie Alpine Resort | British Columbia | 3,450 | 7,000 | 3,550 |
| Grouse Mountain | British Columbia | 3,700 | 4,039 | 339 |
| Kicking Horse | British Columbia | 3,900 | 8,218 | 4,318 |
| Kimberley Alpine Resort | British Columbia | 4,035 | 6,500 | 2,465 |
| Mt. Seymour | British Columbia | 3,346 | 4,150 | 804 |
| Mt. Washington Alpine Resort | British Columbia | 3,558 | 5,216 | 1,658 |
| Panorama Mountain Resort | British Columbia | 3,773 | 8,038 | 4,265 |
| RED Mountain | British Columbia | 3,887 | 6,808 | 2,921 |
| Revelstoke Mountain Resort | British Columbia | 1,680 | 7,300 | 5,620 |
| SilverStar Mountain Resort | British Columbia | 5,279 | 6,283 | 1,004 |
| Sun Peaks Resort | British Columbia | 4,117 | 6,867 | 2,750 |
| Whistler Blackcomb | British Columbia | 2,214 | 7,497 | 5,283 |
| Whitewater | British Columbia | 5,348 | 6,768 | 1,420 |
Questions people ask
How do ski resorts get a snow forecast?
A ski snow forecast starts with weather model output for rain and snow, then adjusts it for the height you care about, the temperature at that height, how fluffy the snow will be and how the terrain lifts the air. The result is a range of possible snowfall for the base, the middle or the summit, not a single promise.
Why does the top of a mountain get more snow than the base?
Air is colder higher up, so more of a storm falls as snow, and air forced up the mountain squeezes out more moisture. The summit often gets more snow than the base, and warm storms can turn base snow to rain while the summit stays white.
What is snow-liquid ratio?
It compares inches of snow with the inches of water they would melt into. Ten to one is the usual rule of thumb. Very cold, light snow can reach a much higher ratio, and wet snow near freezing is lower, so the same liquid total can mean very different depths.
How do I know if a powder forecast is reliable?
Look for agreement. Several different models should show snow at the same time, the ensemble members should bunch together, and the summit should stay well below freezing. The closer the storm, the more you can lean on the forecast, and a storm more than a week away is still a possibility rather than a plan.
Does El Niño mean a better ski season?
The Weather Decision Solutions forecast desk expects a strong El Niño to favor more storms and snow in California, the Southwest and the southern Rockies, and more mountain snow across the West. It expects fewer long Arctic outbreaks in the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast, where winter storms remain possible. No two El Niño events are exactly alike, so treat it as a lean and not a promise.
What is lake-effect snow and which ski areas get it?
It is snow built when cold air crosses relatively warm, open lake water and the air rises into narrow bands downwind. Ski areas downwind of the Great Lakes, such as those in Michigan, western New York and Ontario, are the ones that can get it, and the wind direction decides which valley sits under the band.
Is a ski forecast the same as a resort snow report?
No. A forecast estimates snow that may fall, based on weather models. A snow report is what the resort measured after it fell. The two often differ, which is why a forecast works best as a guide to timing and the size of the storm.
What does Ski Forecast in 4070 cover?
Ski Forecast maps forecast snow at 205 ski resorts in the US and Canada for the base, middle or summit, from all the models together or one model at a time, with a chart and storm timing for each resort. It is part of 4070 Pro, which is seven days free and then $14.95 a month.
Sources
- NOAA National Weather Service glossary: orographic lifting Terrain forcing air upward, cooling it and increasing precipitation.
- NOAA National Weather Service glossary: lapse rate Temperature change with height.
- NOAA Weather Prediction Center: snow to liquid ratios Why the ratio varies with temperature and storm type.
- National Weather Service: what is lake effect snow?
- NOAA Climate Prediction Center: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion El Niño status, read October 6, 2026.