Heading to BlackOps?
AK/Valdez during El Niño year?
Does anyone here have any actual experience with AK weather/snow/conditions during El Niño winters? I want to reserve my spot for a heli touring trip mid March from Valdez, but I’m wondering if El Nino is a red flag to do the trip on a different year or if it’s all good. Obviously I’ve looked at past weather, but that doesn’t tell the story for the mountain snow conditions.
*Please, only from actual experience
*Please, only from actual experience
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
VHSD… but really trying to hear about experiences with that area in El Niño winters.Heading to BlackOps?
Seen some reports on this next one being special, with chances of glacier changes in the summer and rainstorms or massive snowfalls in winter. So seems a bit uncertain, better chances of snow in the Chugach, but could end up with avy conditions, and most likely layering. Statistics could be outdated for the current situation, so meh..
Thank you for your response! There are indicators that this El Niño could be very significant.Seen some reports on this next one being special, with chances of glacier changes in the summer and rainstorms or massive snowfalls in winter. So seems a bit uncertain, better chances of snow in the Chugach, but could end up with avy conditions, and most likely layering. Statistics could be outdated for the current situation, so meh..
Def will follow this. Are booking TPX for Mid April. Guess it's always a gamble as if you don't book early chances of getting a seat are very low later on. Was trying to research El Nino as also got BC Canada and Japan on the cards but neither of these places seem to do so well with EL Nino. I guess with Alaska less snow might not be so much an issue if it also means less cloud... But then again if it's warmer with El Nino then maybe late session isn't the time to go....
I booked AK, but I’ll be watching the weather cycles closely, as always. I think Rip’s comment accurately sums up the perspective I have as well… this El Niño has the potential to be very significant and the potential for ENSO neutral seems to be greatly diminishing.Def will follow this. Are booking TPX for Mid April. Guess it's always a gamble as if you don't book early chances of getting a seat are very low later on. Was trying to research El Nino as also got BC Canada and Japan on the cards but neither of these places seem to do so well with EL Nino. I guess with Alaska less snow might not be so much an issue if it also means less cloud... But then again if it's warmer with El Nino then maybe late session isn't the time to go....
I’m also looking at Revelstoke/Kicking Horse for the end of February, but I’ll wait it out until I book that one.
When was the last El Nino? Never really thought about how it would effect the Chugach season. But I will follow this thread, we go pretty much every year.
I think 2014-‘16 and 2018-‘19When was the last El Nino? Never really thought about how it would effect the Chugach season. But I will follow this thread, we go pretty much every year.
Just looked at old pictures on my phone. We did a week in March of 2019. We flew for one day. Avalanche danger was very bad, you could hear them breaking, then we would look for them. Didn't really ride. One week means almost nothing though. You need to find a guide, get some beta from them. At least get a whole seasons worth of information.I think 2014-‘16 and 2018-‘19
In my experience, Whistler had great snow in Feb 98 (El Nino) and Feb 99 (La nina). At Big White we've had some good years, but sometimes it actually comes later in the season (March/April when it’s raining at lower elevations below the hill). For example, Big White closed on April 7th 2018 with fresh snow and a monstrous 338cm base. Though it seemed like that whole season was powder days. It was probably raining on the coastal mountains by April though.Def will follow this. Are booking TPX for Mid April. Guess it's always a gamble as if you don't book early chances of getting a seat are very low later on. Was trying to research El Nino as also got BC Canada and Japan on the cards but neither of these places seem to do so well with EL Nino. I guess with Alaska less snow might not be so much an issue if it also means less cloud... But then again if it's warmer with El Nino then maybe late session isn't the time to go....
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Snowboarding Forum - Snowboard Enthusiast Forums
A forum community dedicated to all Snowboarding enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about equipment reviews, tips, traveling, gear troubleshooting, share photos, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
eLi_1119*
68 Replies
Cambered234
53 Replies
SennaBlast
38 Replies
Recommended Communities
