Top 9 Superstitious Rituals to Bring More Snow When it comes to skiing and snowboarding, the more snow the better. Whether you are waiting for enough snow to start the season or looking for a mid-winter powder day, there are some rituals some swear can bring on the flakes. For generations, people have turned to quirky superstitions and fun rituals, believing they hold the power to summon snow and […] Brains Brent Thomas | November 14, 2024 1 Comment
Brain Post: Temperature Inversions—Nature’s Double-Edged Sword Nature’s Temperature Trick A cold, clear winter morning: the world seems frozen in place. The valley below lies blanketed in frost, with fog pooling in the low spots, almost as if nature pressed pause overnight. This scene isn’t just picturesque; it’s the result of a fascinating atmospheric phenomenon known as a temperature inversion. Typically, warm air sits closer to the […] Weather Clay Malott | November 14, 2024 0 Comments
The Secret Ingredient to a Perfect Powder Day: Snow Liquid Ratio Some powder days feel like magic—light, airy snow that you can ski through like it’s barely there. Other days, it’s like skiing through oatmeal: heavy, dense, a workout in every turn. There’s a reason for this, and it’s not just luck or a specific mountain range. It all comes down to the Snow Liquid Ratio, a metric that’s as important […] Weather Clay Malott | November 13, 2024 0 Comments
The History Behind the World’s First and Only Tandem Front Flip on Skis Freestyle skiing has cemented itself as an electrifying sport that pushes the boundaries of what many thought was even possible on the slopes. Born from a spirit of rebellion and a desire to break free from the rigid confines of traditional alpine skiing, it has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. It has evolved from a counterculture movement to […] Brains Brent Thomas | November 13, 2024 0 Comments
Brain Post: Atmospheric Rivers—Nature’s Moisture Conveyor Belt A powerful force flows invisibly over the Pacific—a conveyor belt of moisture that meteorologists call an atmospheric river (or AR for short). These moisture bands transport enormous quantities of water vapor, crucial for precipitation—and snowfall—along the West Coast. Atmospheric rivers funnel this moisture from the tropics, like a fire hose aimed at western North America. When they land, they often […] Weather Clay Malott | November 12, 2024 0 Comments
Brain Post: Why are Weather Models So Bad When it Comes to Snow? Have you ever thought about why forecasting snowfall is so difficult? Why can we seemingly ace temperature forecasts days in advance but can’t even nail down a snowfall forecast the night before a storm? The Butterfly Effect Snowfall is a puzzle in the forecasting world, with every piece tangled in complex atmospheric dynamics, chaotic patterns, and ever-shifting terrain influences. Predicting […] Weather Clay Malott | November 11, 2024 0 Comments
Skiing the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington When you look at a map of the Pacific Northwest, it’s easy to focus on the iconic Cascade Mountains’ captivating beauty and awe-inspiring volcanoes running north to south. That said, a lesser-known mountain range, the Blue Mountains, aka the “The Blues,” is equally as beautiful, albeit more remote, and positioned in the interior of Washington and Oregon. Let’s first gain […] Brains Matthew Oliphant | November 10, 2024 0 Comments
Top 9 Snowiest Resorts in the Eastern United States While Western ski resorts may dominate the headlines, some of the snowiest slopes in the East are legendary in their own right, offering reliable powder and winter experiences that draw enthusiasts season after season. These high-snowfall resorts, nestled in states like Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire, deliver heavy snow totals despite the East Coast’s unpredictable weather. Here’s a look […] Brains SnowBrains | November 7, 2024 9 Comments