Debunking rumors on Whistler’s “Lack of Snow”

Lack of snow on Non-event side of Cypress Mountain (Source: metro.co.uk)

There’s been a rumor running rampant that Whistler has been in a serious drought – dogs and cats living together, frogs falling from the skies and, Oh yes… having snow trucked in because there isn’t any.

Well, Whistler/Blackcomb currently has a 100+ inch base, recorded 25cm new last evening (2/11/2009) and had the snowiest November on record. The Olympic Downhill and other alpine events will be largely unaffected as snowcover is not at issue on the big mountain, especially in the upper elevations.

Trucking it in to Cypress

However, aerials, moguls, snowboard halfpipe, parallel slalom, skier/boardercross events are in a bit of a pickle because of the lack of snow on Cypress Mountain (located just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver).  But it seems that event organizers are busting their tails to get snow on the mountain and in time for the events.

There’s a big difference in location from Cypress and Whistler/Blackcomb.  Cypress Mountain lies inside the Cypress Provincial Park boundary in the North Shore Mountains (overlooking the city of Vancouver and Burrard Inlet) at an elevation range of about 3,000′ to 5,000′.  About 2.5 hours north of Cypress and between 2,200 – 7,500′  in the Fitzsimmons range of the Coast Mountains lies Whistler.

Whistler has been trying to debunk the theory that it’s mountains are bone dry and that the Olympics may not happen.  The issue is really about our knowledge of the British Columbia geography – Whistler has always been associated with Vancouver since it is the closest major city to the giant mountain.  But anyone who’s been on the 135km Sea-to-Sky Highway between the two locations will tell you there is an absolute world of difference between the maritime city and the mountain hamlet.

It is important to note that this year’s El Niño has severely hampered snowfall totals in the rockies and the northwest, and is the primary reason why mountains like Cypress are hurting for coverage.   Regardless of whether or not you believe in Global Warming, El Niño and La Niña events are oceanic patterns that have happened for eons and will continue for eons more.  These events have a huge impact on our weather systems, major events and climate stability.

Silverton Mountain is no joke, and the snow this winter is EPIC!

Right now, the eastern seaboard is getting absolutely hammered with snow while central Colorado north to Banff and west into B.C. are wondering where the f*** the snow is.  Yet on the flipside, locations in the edge of the southern storm track (happening usually in El Niño winters) like Taos, Silverton, Brighton and Purgatory are getting above average snowfalls.  Locations right in the heart of the El Niño southern storm track, like Arizona Snow Bowl, Las Vegas Ski Area, Mt. Baldy and Mountain High are getting hammered with snowfall totals not seen since, well… the last El Niño events in 1997 and 2004.

So, rest assured, Whistler has plenty of snow, and Cypress will be covered.  You’ll get to see Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White and the rest of the US delegation chase history and tasting gold on the slopes.  Enjoy the Olympics!