Valley finally gets much-anticipated white stuff, albeit heavy and wet, but still white

Jackson Hole Snow Prayers Answered

By Lauren M. Whaley, 12-14-06

As huge flakes fell outside their windows last night, Jackson Hole residents nestled, all snug in their beds, with visions of powder shots filling their heads.

The snow continued all night and day, with 10 inches recorded between 8 p.m. Tuesday and 8 p.m. Wednesday at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s 9,360-ft Raymer plot.

In response to this first major winter storm, and the promise of 4 to 5 inches daily in the mountains through the weekend, the resort plans to open more lifts. Skiers can enjoy the upper runs off Thunder Chair today, can ride Sublette on Saturday and will soon be able to try out the newly built East Ridge Chair to the summit.

Those skiers and riders who enjoy earning their turns can always sample the ample backcountry off of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort or Snow King Ski Area and the abundant backcountry Teton Pass and Grand Teton National Park offer.

Those heading out of bounds should check The Bridger-Teton National Forest Avalanche Center or Jackson Hole Snow Obs for avalanche advisories and snowpack conditions. The avalanche center reported at 6 p.m. Wednesday that soft slabs of up to 18 inches – made of new snow and wind deposits – had developed on good sliding surfaces.

Skiers triggered these slabs Wednesday and will likely continue to do so in the coming days, the site reported. Forecasters predict an increase in avalanche hazard to “high” for today. With the coming snow and wind, more unstable soft slabs are likely to increase in coming days.

Several people reported Wednesday afternoon that the snow was heavy and wet, as temperatures stayed in the 30s. The Jackson Hole Daily confirmed this with an avalanche technician's report of high water content in the snow.

Be careful out there in high avalanche and heavy snow conditions, check your flight status if you're trying to leave town and enjoy the snowflakes - that will continue to fall through the weekend - on your nose and eyelashes.

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