La Sal Mountain Snow Condition Report 12-10-18

Good morning La Sal Mountain recreation enthusiasts! I hope you have been able to enjoy our awesome snowpack so far this year. Sunday afternoon saw a full parking lot at Geyser Pass full of folks having a good time!

Snow

Our total base depth at Gold Basin is 32″ today. Coverage is great for cross-country skiing, but be careful if you are back-country skiing the steeper stuff. No need to acquire a season ending injury so early in the game. Lots of large surface hoar crystals were growing on the surface, which I am sure will be a factor in future avalanche forecasts.

Roads

The La Sal Loop Road was clear at the bottom and gradually becomes more snow-packed as you ascend. Geyser Pass Road is snow-packed and rutted with washboard. Be careful on the edges when passing as I saw numerous spots where folks went off and appeared to have been pulled out after lots of digging. There is really no berm either, so use extra caution if you are on the steep side!

Grooming

LUNA has groomed yesterday, so get up there and enjoy that corduroy!

Weather

Expect 32 degrees and mostly sunny at 10,000′ today. A storm system will pass by us to the north on Wednesday bringing a trace of snow and COLD temperatures. The sun will be out later in the week and there is a possible storm timed to arrive this weekend, but there is no certainty yet on any details.