Why Kootenay snow is what it is
Storms off the Pacific lose much of their moisture crossing the coast ranges, then drop colder, lighter snow on the Selkirks. A typical winter brings 9 to 12 m to the study plot where we measure it. The fir glades shade that snow from sun and wind, so it stays soft for days after a storm.
Where the light snow comes from
The coast gets enormous snowfall, but it is heavy and wet, because the air coming off the ocean is mild and loaded with moisture. As those systems push inland and climb the coast ranges, they drop most of that moisture on the way. By the time the air reaches the interior it is colder and drier, and the snow that falls holds less water.
Skiers call the result cold smoke. Add elevation, which keeps temperatures low, and the snow falls cold and stays cold.
Why it stays good between storms
Sun and wind both pack snow down and stiffen it. The trees protect it from both. Fir and spruce glades shade the snow and break the wind, so the snow underneath keeps its quality for days after a storm.
That is why the basin can ski well on a clear day three days after the last snowfall, as long as the guides know which aspects and which stands of trees held their snow.
How a winter builds
A typical winter brings 9 to 12 m of snow to the study plot. The first storms build the base through December. Deep season, January and February, brings the most snow and the coldest days.
By March the base is at its deepest and the days are longer. Spring storms still freshen it until the season closes at the start of April.
A note on the numbers
Powderhorn Basin is a concept build, so the snowfall figures on this site are drawn to be plausible for the region, not measured. The weather in this guide is real. On a live operation they would be the lodge's own record, updated once a year.