The Daring Ski-Hayden Dream: War, Ambition, and Aspen’s Greatest “What if?” In the 1930s, a group of daring visionaries believed they could build a European-style ski resort high in the Colorado Rockies that might one day rival the grand destinations of the Alps. Their chosen site was Mount Hayden, rising above the ghost town of Ashcroft near Aspen—a snowy paradise they hoped would become a winter sports haven, complete with cutting-edge […] Clay Malott | February 13, 2025 0 Comments
Slippery Slopes: Climate Change Threatens the Future of Skiing in North America At the base of a Massachusetts ski hill one recent November, sunlight glared off a patch of sloppy snow “pooling like dirty mashed potatoes” as the thermometer hit 59°F.1 Scenes like this–unseasonable warmth turning early-season snow to slush–are becoming familiar across the United States and Canada. Ski resort operators and skiers are sounding the alarm that winters are warming, snowpacks […] Brains Clay Malott | February 6, 2025 1 Comment
Brain Post: Groundhog Day – Origins, Accuracy, and Cultural Quirks Every February 2, millions tune in (or head out) to see if a furry forecaster will predict the end of winter. In this post, we dig deep into the origins of Groundhog Day, the legend of Punxsutawney Phil, and what the data really says about his predictive prowess. The Origins of Groundhog Day Groundhog Day finds its roots in ancient […] Clay Malott | February 1, 2025 0 Comments
A Day in the Life on Spring Break in Jackson Hole, WY Spring mornings in the Tetons have a distinct flavor. The first rays of light touch the upper ridges, illuminating untouched snowfields where skiers and riders hope for that perfect combination of powder on shaded north-facing slopes and spring corn on the sunnier ones. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort‘s Aerial Tram ascends swiftly, carrying early risers whose breath fogs in the crisp […] Featured Article Clay Malott | January 29, 2025 0 Comments
SnowBrains PNW Forecast: Massive Christmas Storm Cycle Will Bring 5+ Feet This Week This forecast was created at 2:00 a.m. PST on Saturday, December 21 A broad, mild weather pattern will keep snow levels high for much of the upcoming stretch, but a series of storms will deliver steadily accumulating snowfall to the mountains from Saturday through next weekend. Some valleys will see more rain than snow due to these elevated snow levels, […] Weather Clay Malott | December 21, 2024 0 Comments
Google DeepMind’s GenCast Sets New Standard for Medium-Range Mountain Forecasting High-stakes decisions in the alpine depend on getting the forecast right. A month’s worth of anticipation can hinge on whether a distant storm sets up over the northern Rockies or takes a hard turn somewhere over the Pacific. At a time when sudden thaws, unusual precipitation patterns, and volatile storm tracks are becoming all too common, the value of pinpointing […] Weather Clay Malott | December 11, 2024 0 Comments
Brain Post: What is a Rain Shadow? Picture this: A storm gathers off the Pacific, its clouds heavy, bloated with moisture stolen from the ocean. They press forward, barreling toward the rugged face of a towering mountain range like the Sierra Nevada or the Cascades. As the storm meets the peaks, it’s as if an invisible hand drags the moisture-laden air skyward, lifting it higher, step by […] Weather Clay Malott | December 3, 2024 0 Comments
Brain Post: What Does a 50% Chance of Snow Actually Mean? You wake up, pulling back the curtains and checking the forecast for the day. Your weather app reports a 50% chance of snow between 9 and 10 a.m. Excitement bubbles up—visions of fresh tracks through powder fields dance in your mind. But hang on. Does that mean half the mountain will be blanketed in snow? Or maybe it’ll only snow […] Weather Clay Malott | December 2, 2024 0 Comments
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