I-90 Closed for Epic Snowfall!

Kyle, how do you suggest we compare the snow? Of course the snow is different, but I can't think of a better way to compare it than inch for inch.

Wolfs, so what if the ski area numbers are inflated? Lets assume they inflate their numbers by 20%. So 276" for Vail and 320" for loveland. That still does not constitute a "huge difference in snowfall" as DoubleE puts it. We know it snows a lot here, and yes it snows more here than in Colorado. So knowing that, why can't they get the equipment and the manpower needed to keep the pass open?

You can compare them by History as in where there have been previous slides the terrain and the conditions that led to the slides. The cascades are infamous for Avalanches and thats why people from ski resorts all over the US and Canada get training from Paul Bauger ( head of Ski Patrol) up at Crystal Mountain

We know it snows a lot here, and yes it snows more here than in Colorado. So knowing that, why can't they get the equipment and the manpower needed to keep the pass open?

The Cascade snowpack is considerably above average this season. See the following chart:

www.nwac.us/products/CLISNO

The WSDOT budget was probably written for more normal snow conditions than we're seeing this year.

I'm stuck at the pass now, pirating the lobby computer at the Summit Inn.  Alpental was incredible today, for those that could make it (which werent many).  I went up early, 4am, and camped out so I would avoid the rush.  18" of new, and lots more throughout the day, and no lift lines.  I felt like I had my own personal ski area, especially after lunchtime.  No people as far as th eye could see.  AI did manage to meet up with Mike/Gravitymk, a fellow TAYer. Lots of goods to be harvested still, they did shut things down early (3:30pm) to accomodate DOT requests.  I guess they dont' want anyone at the resort when they start lobbing the bombs, just in case one gets away and goes over the hill.  The word is the pass will be shut down through th enight, and into the morning if they get as much snow as is predicted.  That means another night in the car, I just wish I had another change of ski clothes so I could harvest the goods yet again!  From what we've heard, a semi and some cars were in a natural slide early a.m. and now the DOT is overcompensating for their oversight.  Just let me go home!

ha!  i knew some TAY'er was up there today..... nice work!     

doubt you'll find much sympathy here that you can't get home...you got Alpy all to yourself, and spending the night up there is your penance

There are some pretty serious slide paths above I-90 and while the snowfall averages may not sound huge compared to your CO numbers, remember that many of the start zones for these slides are more equivalent to the top of Alpy (averaging closer to 500") than the pass. Also, the mountains near Snoqualmie are much more steep and rugged than anything near Wolf Creek and its highway.

One normal scenario of ours (not this time) is a big warm, wet event that causes wet slides the likes of which CO probably sees very rarely.

There sure seem to be lots of skiers arriving here from other parts of the country. If you don't like it....