Early snow a good sign???

[Ed Fast]

I am trying to remember years past if early snow is usually a good sign or has no relation to snow totals throughout the year. I remember the first now I saw last year was in Cheyenne on my way home from the snow show. I thought last years snow was not good.

 

[PJ-Hunter]

I'd say no. Last year about this time temps dropped to below the 20's and we got nearly 24" in about 16 hours. Then we got practically nothing for the next 2 months. yeah, an inch or two here and there but when you ride in Januray and the base is only 40" you know it's bad. The best snow year I have ever seen was about 5 years ago. It started snowing right before Christmas and you could count on a powder day every weekend. There wasn't a week where we had less than 10" fall. And it stayed cold. We have had one winter where more snow fell but a good 1/3rd of that fell in the early Spring and if you didn't hit it the day it snowed or right after then it got heavy and sticky. Guys rode well into July that year. I think that there was close to 26' on the pole. Personally I like the deep, fluffy snows in Dec, Jan, Feb and March. I don't like riding in the "mashed taters" type snow.

 

[POLZIN]

last year is rode oct 7th and the rest of the season was substandard at best . I did ride a couple killer days but i drove more than normal to get it.

I can wait a few extra weeks !

 

[Rixster]

In Utah last year the early snow turned into marbles that turned into one of the worst avalanche danger years I can remember !.

 

[srx_600]

Seems to me that in the flats of SD when temps get cool early and a few flakes fall early that is about the most we get all year. So i would have to say no.

This should be a poll of regions.

 

[PJ-Hunter]

In Utah last year the early snow turned into marbles that turned into one of the worst avalanche danger years I can remember !.

Same in Colorado. I saw slides in places I have never seen slides. Even set a few off on hills that have never slid in my entire sledding life.