Bear Valley Breaks its All-Time Record for Snowfall in a Winter Season
Bear Valley Resort, an mountain located in Alpine County about 80 miles southeast of Sacramento, typically averages about 300 inches of snow per winter season. The ski resort has already surpassed 640 inches this winter, making it the snowiest winter ever seen at Bear Valley.
“3? of new snow fell overnight bringing our season total to the record breaking historical number of 640?!” the resort wrote on its weather report. “These are amazing snow totals all through the Sierra this season and certainly a season to be remembered.”
After the latest storm, some lifts were inoperable due to chairs being buried in towering snow drifts. According to ski patroller Eric Wilcox, clearing the snow after massive storms is a significant undertaking, but it is worth the effort.
“It’s totally exciting, and we’re having a lot of fun,” he said.
The most recent atmospheric river caused a ski patroller to touch the top of the chair lift while still standing on the snow-packed slopes:
Since the end of December, California has experienced a barrage of storms and atmospheric rivers, resulting in a snowpack that is significantly higher than in recent years. The California Department of Water Resources reports that the snowpack is 272% of the historical average in the southern Sierra, 227% of normal in the central Sierra, and 178% of the typical level in the Northern Sierra.
The high snowfall has been a boon for ski resorts in California this winter, with plenty of powder to go around. However, it has also posed challenges, such as the need to clear snow from roads and buildings, and the risk of avalanches.
Despite the difficulties, the record-breaking snowfall has brought excitement and joy to winter sports enthusiasts, who are eager to hit the slopes and make the most of the abundant snow. Bear Valley Resort, in particular, has become a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders looking for a thrilling experience on the slopes.
