West Yellowstone snow conditions
- Thread starter Scary Larry
- Start date
not true..thre was plenty of snow to groom. i think it is a more o people being absent vs snow. there just isn't as many riders in town anymore
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MTdream
Well-known member
The point.....was we have way more snow this year....if you don't want to hear from locals, fine....I ride here nearly every weekend...
thats why you are getting mixed up. i ride there 2 wks a yr and i remember what day of what year the trails were groomed and the last 3 yrs there wasn't **** groomed christmas to new yrs.
I started riding west since 91. Normally making 1 to 5 trips per year until 2006 there is way less business's supporting sleden in west compared to the early days have some good friends that owned business's there and sold them some are still there. When going there now it's not a sled friendly town anymore that's why there are less riders going there and the expo is has realy lost ground since 2000. I still Make an occasional trip but found other better places to spend my money mainly in wy. It won't be long and you won't be able to ride in town all the streets will be plowed its coming just my 2 cents 
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MTdream
Well-known member
We are at 59" and snowing (carrot basin snotel)
That is great, but I am not going by memory or assumptions...
I am looking at snotel, and the historical snow depth record...
Peak depth Through February 20 2012- 59"
Peak depth Through January 15 2011- 60"
Peak depth Through March 20 2010- 59"
Peak depth Through Februaty 1 2009 59"
Peak depth Through January 1 2008 60"
All research ready...at your finger tips....
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Montana/montana.html
2008 was a phenomenal year, with one exception, we had lots of wind, and some heavier avy conditions than existed this year...
However, be careful, have a great time and enjoy sledding in the west!!!!
Grooming is not generally a topic we discuss much, nor trails...we prefer stuff like this....
Pic from February 11 last year...notice the grass...snow was not even 4 feet...
Another, same day (happens to be me) foreground, can see grass....
Here is march last year (2011)
Christmas 2010.... We got a good early dump...then cold snap...sugared the base to ground....then this dump about two days before Christmas (don't remember exact day)
This year, will be epic if this early snow is any indication, bring your cash for fuel, should be killer!!!!!
If you see me, on my M1100t (white, loaded with Skinz Protective Gear) holler, and will show you a couple sneaky creeks... But this year, will be hanging in Disneyland most of the time!!!!!!
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arcticat4
Member
Thanks MT DREAM....any and all conditionsupdates are greatly appreciated....our group gets to West/Island Park two to three times a year and always enjoy....we come new years and super bowl weekend and last year we missed new years due to lack of snow....we always have a blast and enjoy the riding and night life....stoked at the way snow is looking this year see everyone on the 28thDecember-January 2nd
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aebsledder
Well-known member
2008
Ahh yes. 2008. My deepest day ever was over Super Bowl weekend that year. It had been snowing in West Yellowstone/Island Park for about 10 days straight and we stayed at a cabin in IP. There were spots around Two Top that were almost chest deep of dry fluffy powder. It was almost too much snow...almost
Ahh yes. 2008. My deepest day ever was over Super Bowl weekend that year. It had been snowing in West Yellowstone/Island Park for about 10 days straight and we stayed at a cabin in IP. There were spots around Two Top that were almost chest deep of dry fluffy powder. It was almost too much snow...almost
Was there a lateral failure there? Did that actually fracture at the base and lay over...or did you have to WORK at it and PULL it over to make it break there?
If it fractured I'd be WORRIED about that. There is a lot of snow load on top of that base layer.
Hard to tell without your explanation.
If you can get back to me on that, thanks.
If it fractured I'd be WORRIED about that. There is a lot of snow load on top of that base layer.
Hard to tell without your explanation.
If you can get back to me on that, thanks.
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Ace Powder
Well-known member
Scott,
No lateral failure, Just showing the next weakest point in the snow pack which is at the bottom with a large 3-4 foot slab above it. We were able to pull it out with not much shovel force behind it though. This layer is rounding depth hoar that is approx. 2-3 mm, so gaining strength. It is also at the first 8 inches in the snow pack so it will have ground temp to slowly strengthen it. Fortunately, we as snowmobilers typically do not affect any weak layers below 5 ft in the snow pack. If an avalanche broken from a different weak layer does propagate to this layer, look out!
No lateral failure, Just showing the next weakest point in the snow pack which is at the bottom with a large 3-4 foot slab above it. We were able to pull it out with not much shovel force behind it though. This layer is rounding depth hoar that is approx. 2-3 mm, so gaining strength. It is also at the first 8 inches in the snow pack so it will have ground temp to slowly strengthen it. Fortunately, we as snowmobilers typically do not affect any weak layers below 5 ft in the snow pack. If an avalanche broken from a different weak layer does propagate to this layer, look out!
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MTdream
Well-known member
Ahh yes. 2008. My deepest day ever was over Super Bowl weekend that year. It had been snowing in West Yellowstone/Island Park for about 10 days straight and we stayed at a cabin in IP. There were spots around Two Top that were almost chest deep of dry fluffy powder. It was almost too much snow...almost
Was fun!!!! Was playing with some new stuff on my non light weighted, non turned nytro....and we got stuck 20 feet off trail...get be sled unstuck, the other would get stuck...took us 3 hours to get both unstuck, and back not trail!!! Incredible year!!!!
Getting excited for sure!!!!
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sortastock
Member
oh man getting excited guys. We're headed out on the 26th, should be there on the 27th. We're staying in one of the Pine Shadows condos.
We're a group with a few Pros, an assault, an ugly orange m7, black m7 and an xp. stop by, i'm sure we'll have plenty of beer.
We're a group with a few Pros, an assault, an ugly orange m7, black m7 and an xp. stop by, i'm sure we'll have plenty of beer.
Will be in town late on the 26th also will be sitting at the Happy hour on the 28th when they open for the winter season!!!
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arctic2009
Well-known member
How long are you guys going to be out there? We will be getting there the night of the 3rd and staying until the 8th. We will have a white m8, black and orange m8, orange m7, and a yamaha something-or-other. we will have plenty of beers at the hotel haha
we will have plenty of beers at the hotel haha
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Ace Powder
Well-known member
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Ace Powder
Well-known member
Will be in town late on the 26th also will be sitting at the Happy hour on the 28th when they open for the winter season!!!
Got some calls in on the ice situation for Hebgen. Last I drove by there a couple of weeks ago, still open water! I'll let you know when I hear back from some of the local ice fishermen.
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arctic2009
Well-known member
Were coming from upper minnesota. Staying at the yellowstone lodge at the south end of town. What area do you guys usually ride at?
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