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How come 2 resorts can literally be on opposite sides of the same mountain and get vastly different snowfall amounts?

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Hansel9001
Posts: 197 - Karma: -74
For example, i dont understand how breck could get nothing and copper could get a foot when they are right next to eachother.

**This thread was edited on Jan 16th 2019 at 12:53:52am
7 years ago
2 2
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50Kal
Posts: 2838 - Karma: 5,605
God hates the Vail corp, as every true skier should.
7 years ago
10 1
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25444 - Karma: 13,857
This phenomenon called weather.
7 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38348 - Karma: 132,857
Weather. But for real gimmicks aside, Alta actually is positioned a bit better from what I've been told though both them and Snowbird are decent choices on a deep day.
7 years ago
2 0
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McMafia
Posts: 72 - Karma: 154
Hansel9001For example, i dont understand how breck could get nothing and copper could get a foot when they are right next to eachother.

**This thread was edited on Jan 16th 2019 at 12:53:52am

the government is controlling the weather.
7 years ago
1 1
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Matthews78
Posts: 7 - Karma: 23
It happens at Stowe and Smuggs all the time
7 years ago
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9856 - Karma: 66,709
RudyGarmischThis phenomenon called weather.


you managed to be condescending but also provide literally no information whatsoever! 10 internet points!!
7 years ago
6 0
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10097 - Karma: 76,799
Google windward and leeward side of mountain. Basic ecology

Idk if this applies to your situation but definitely possible for a lot of places. Many ski resorts are prob set up on windward sides too
7 years ago
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Lonely
Posts: 7235 - Karma: 71,175
Rain Shadow?
7 years ago
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BenWhit
Posts: 4654 - Karma: 3,257
wind-loading.
generally speaking, whatever slope is on the lee-side of the prevailing wind or storm winds will get a significant snow accumulation boost from wind-loading depositing snow onto the slope.
7 years ago
2 0
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10097 - Karma: 76,799
BenWhitwind-loading.
generally speaking, whatever slope is on the lee-side of the prevailing wind or storm winds will get a significant snow accumulation boost from wind-loading depositing snow onto the slope.

I think you've got your terminology mixed up.

The windward side generally gets most precipitation as the clouds generate and precipitate on the way up and on the summit and then on the leeward side (aka the down slope side if winds are moving left to right) is typically drier.
7 years ago
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BenWhit
Posts: 4654 - Karma: 3,257
runforlove2018I think you've got your terminology mixed up.

The windward side generally gets most precipitation as the clouds generate and precipitate on the way up and on the summit and then on the leeward side (aka the down slope side if winds are moving left to right) is typically drier.


i'm not really talking about precipitation, purely talking about wind-loading in the context of the below link...

https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/wind-loading/
7 years ago
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chiknmcplanks
Posts: 100 - Karma: 464
Because one of them is lying on their snow report
7 years ago
2 0
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9687 - Karma: 72,190
Wind and sun exposure play a big part in snowpack.

Also this
chiknmcplanksBecause one of them is lying on their snow report
7 years ago
1 0
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SuspiciousFish
Posts: 2794 - Karma: 16,914
McMafiathe government is controlling the weather.


The funny thing is its actually happening in CO:

https://denverwatertap.org/2018/12/10/cloud-seeding-off-to-a-strong-start-for-2018-19-winter-season/
7 years ago
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skierman
Posts: 8627 - Karma: 9,438
chemtrails, woke the fuck up.
7 years ago
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OregonDead
Posts: 7105 - Karma: 26,930
Because they are literally on opposite sides of a mountain
7 years ago
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9856 - Karma: 66,709
OregonDeadBecause they are literally on opposite sides of a mountain


7 years ago
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theabortionator
Posts: 52783 - Karma: 175,283
7 years ago
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meadows69
Posts: 104 - Karma: 151
BigPurpleSkiSuitWind and sun exposure play a big part in snowpack.


True but I think OP is asking about total snow deposition rates. Wind loading plays a huge role, but sun exposure shouldn't change snow deposition rates, right? Unless you could somehow make the claim that a passing storm is weaker on one side of an aspect than another due to the sun's role on the storm? But that doesn't really change with such changes aspect, that effect would probably be seen more in large jumps in latitude, like how when you get about the 55 deg lat, you can worry less about sun exposure and wet slab. The sun exposure is less so maybe it burns off storms quicker? even then this is gotta be such a small factor when compared to things like trade winds, surrounding terrain etc.

https://avalanche.org/avalanche-encyclopedia/aspect/

**This post was edited on Jan 16th 2019 at 5:35:56pm
7 years ago
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