Ski weather: is today a good day on the mountain?

Rates a day of skiing or snowboarding from the weather up the mountain. Search for the resort itself, not the town below, so the forecast is for the right height. GoDay finds the best 4 hours of each day.

What it weighs, most important first

  1. New snow in the last 24 hours
  2. Air temperature
  3. Gusts
  4. Visibility
  5. Rain falling on the snow
  6. Cloud cover

What holds the score down

A storm holds the score at 2. Above 8°C (46°F) the snow goes soft and the score is held at 3, and above 15°C (59°F) at 1. Gusts over 90 km/h (56 mph) hold it at 3, rain on the snow at 4, and a whiteout (visibility under 1 km) at 5.

Daylight counts too: at dusk the score is held at 3, and once it's dark at 1.

Questions

Does GoDay know how much snow there is?

It knows how much new snow fell in the last 24 hours, not the base depth. Forecast models are poor at snow depth, so check the resort's snow report for the base and which lifts are open.

What is the best temperature for skiing?

GoDay rates -12 to -2°C (10 to 28°F) as ideal: cold enough to keep the snow firm without being bitter. Above 4°C (39°F) the snow turns to slush.

When does wind close the lifts?

It varies by lift and resort. GoDay treats gusts over 50 km/h (31 mph) as a sign lifts may go on hold, and gusts over 70 km/h (43 mph) as likely closures.

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