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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
Jan 16 2019 12:53AM
2 2
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50Kal
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 5,412
God hates the Vail corp, as every true skier should.
Jan 16 2019 1:10AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
This phenomenon called weather.
Jan 16 2019 2:27AM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37547 - Karma: 121,703
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.
Jan 16 2019 3:52AM
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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.
Jan 16 2019 7:39AM
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Matthews78
Posts: 7 - Karma: 23
It happens at Stowe and Smuggs all the time
Jan 16 2019 9:22AM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9334 - Karma: 61,275
RudyGarmischThis phenomenon called weather.


you managed to be condescending but also provide literally no information whatsoever! 10 internet points!!
Jan 16 2019 9:48AM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9791 - Karma: 72,407
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
Jan 16 2019 9:54AM
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Lonely
Posts: 6769 - Karma: 62,156
Rain Shadow?
Jan 16 2019 10:05AM
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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.
Jan 16 2019 10:16AM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9791 - Karma: 72,407
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.
Jan 16 2019 10:31AM
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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/
Jan 16 2019 11:30AM
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chiknmcplanks
Posts: 96 - Karma: 449
Because one of them is lying on their snow report
Jan 16 2019 1:41PM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9401 - Karma: 68,893
Wind and sun exposure play a big part in snowpack.

Also this
chiknmcplanksBecause one of them is lying on their snow report
Jan 16 2019 2:58PM
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SuspiciousFish
Posts: 2781 - Karma: 16,812
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/
Jan 16 2019 3:16PM
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skierman
Posts: 8371 - Karma: 7,589
chemtrails, woke the fuck up.
Jan 16 2019 3:33PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6925 - Karma: 24,825
Because they are literally on opposite sides of a mountain
Jan 16 2019 3:51PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9334 - Karma: 61,275
OregonDeadBecause they are literally on opposite sides of a mountain


Jan 16 2019 3:53PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51745 - Karma: 163,550
Jan 16 2019 4:07PM
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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
Jan 16 2019 5:34PM
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