Moab Winter Condition Update 12-31-21

Moab Winter Condition Report for Friday, December 10th, 2021.  Brought to you since 2014 by Moab Gear Trader.

From everyone at Moab Gear Trader, we wish you a happy and successful 2022.  The odometer rolls over another click, and now we need to remember the right year when filling out forms.  What’s harder to remember, the yearly change, or the time change?  

GEAR UPDATE:  Our 2022 Rossignol backcountry Nordic skis have JUST arrived.  They won’t last long with the nationwide shortages, so don’t delay if you are thinking about upgrading that old pair of skinny skis.  We also are FULLY stocked in traction devices from Yaktrax, Black Diamond, MonsterGrips, Kahtoola, and Stubai.

Well, back to some conditions!

Snow Conditions

The La Sal mountains received 3″ Thursday night, which brings us to 96% of normal for snowpack this time of year.  It really feels like winter up there too, the rocks, stumps, and such are starting to disappear, but don’t be fooled.  Just below the surface lurks the log that will end your season.  Ski with caution!

Utah Avalanche Center reports Moderate through High avalanche danger this weekend as snow builds up on a fragile snowpack, go read the complete forecast.  We are so fortunate to have this service here, so please support them if you can!

Looking at these graphs and maps below you can see how the recent storms have brought us up to near or above average.  Let’s hope the snow keeps falling.  

SWE equivalent at Geyser Pass. Red is the lowest ever recorded, yellow is last year, black is this year, green is average, and blue is the maximum.

 

Desert Conditions

Big time rain storms have drenched the desert and underlying clay soils so as make them unrideable.  THere is the possibility of a frozen morning ride though, cooler temperatures are on the way.  The usually rideable wet trails like Amasa Back are reportedly muddy, while everything else is closed.  With good reason, those clay soils are terrible!  I know, I just washed them of my truck after a family meetup in the Cisco Desert over Christmas.  ANY non-paved road was impassable, and I can’t imagine it’s much better with all of the new rain.

Rock climbing is possible as long as you make sure the sandstone has dried.  Folks are running canyons too, but don’t forget that wet sandstone won’t hold bolts for you very well.  

Check out current mountain bike trail conditions from Poison Spyder. 

Weather Conditions

Winter storms continue to coat our local mountains in layers of fluffy powder.  It has been snowing on and off since before Christmas, and looks to keep going.  We received 3″ last night and it will be snowing all of New Year’s Eve Day.  Check out our website for updates as the storm progresses.

Snow totals around the region are looking great.  It’s nice to not talk about drought for a change.  In the mountains, the storm will continue through tonight and clearing skis will let it drop below zero for the night on Friday, and anyone brave enough to head up Saturday will see low single digit highs with wind chills well below zero.  Frostbite is a real concern, so take precautions by covering all exposed skin and watching for the first signs of frostnip.  If we are lucky, we’ll see almost a foot of new snow today and tonight.  

In Moab we are looking at a mix of rain and snow today and clearing for New Year’s Day.  Saturday night we’ll see low single digits, so be cautious if you are out and about.  Make sure the pipes are ready!

 Road Conditions

Grand County got the grader up on Wednesday, but several inches of snow has fallen since then and the wind has been blowing.  Expect big drifts, and lots of new snow.  4WD with chains as backup would be a fail safe way to travel.  If you choose to head up, don’t forget a tow strap so that someone can pull you out if needed or you can help out someone else.  The Loop Road has icy patches under all that new snow, be careful and travel slow please.

Around the region, roads at lower elevations are clear, but anything higher up has patches of snow and ice.  Snow is forecast all day means you should travel with caution and check for current conditions from UDOT.

Regional Snow Totals

The Wasatch won this lottery last night!  24 hr totals from www.onthesnow.com: Alta 24″, Solitude 23″, Deer Valley 18″, Snowbird 19″, Eagle POint 16″, Beaver Mountain 12″.  Colorado didn’t receive as much, but they are forecast for plenty more free refills today!  Aspen 10″, Breckenridge 4″, Crested Butte 14″, Telluride 1″, Vail 3″, Wolf Creek 12″.

Store Conditions

It’s always toasty in the shop, and we will surely have the tunes turned up.  The holiday shopping season is winding down, but we still have numerous discounts and markdowns all over the store.  40% pink tags can be found on hats, gloves, knives, socks, camping supplies, clothing, and so much more.  Come help us clear out inventory to make room for next Spring’s gear.  We have all sorts of new gear coming in next year including NRS, Exped, ENO, 

We are Moab’s Winter Sports Headquarters, and you can find everything you need to get outside and enjoy winter this season.  Proper layering and preparation is the key to success.  Start with base layers, add some insulation, then either a hard or softshell to fend off precipitation.  We also have Moabs best selection of hats, gloves, balaclavas, neck tubes, mittens, hand warmers, goggles, socks, and hiking traction for icy trails.  Be sure to be ready with that last item, and have some in your pack.  Who wants to turn around because of a little slippery patch?

As usual, we are open 8am to 9pm 365 days a year.  You can drop off your clean, quality used gear and let us take the hassle out of selling it for you.  No more sketchy meet ups from Facebook, haggling over prices, or spending your precious free time taking pictures and answering messages about the gear you are trying to sell.  Simply clean it up, and drop it off.  Our friendly staff will help you set up an account if you don’t already have one and you’ll be ready to start selling.  Many times you can earn the same amount that you would selling it on your own, despite the fees you pay us to do the hard work.  This is due to our clean, well lit, professional retail space, knowledgeable staff, and never ending customer base of visitors to our lovely valley.  Ready to get started?  Head over to www.moabgeartrader.com/sell to learn more about selling your gear.