Wolf Creek conditions, starting with 2022-23 season

[marzNC]

Here's the mid-day update that was posted the WCSA homepage on Feb. 23:

***The WEST side of Wolf Creek Pass will be closed until CDOT has determined that all avalanche hazards have been mitigated. The EAST side opened to skiers to access the ski area at 8:50am on Thursday, February 23rd. Check COTrip.org for opening information. The Alberta, Lynx and Magic Carpet lifts are closed. Updates will be posted as conditions change.***)

Wolf Creek has received 21" of fresh snow in the last 24 hours! Our all-natural snow depth is 116" at the midway. Conditions are Powder/Packed Powder with extensive grooming throughout the mountain.

 

[marzNC]

Wolf Creek sent out two email updates today. The following is from the second one with an update as of 2pm on Feb. 23.

***The WEST side of Wolf Creek Pass will be closed until CDOT has determined that all avalanche hazards have been mitigated. The EAST side is now open to skiers, although not to through traffic. Check COTrip.org before attempting to drive up the Pass. Updates will be posted as conditions change.***

Wolf Creek has received 21" of Fresh Snow in the last 24 hours and it's still falling! Our all-natural snow depth is 116" at the midway! Conditions are Powder/Packed Powder with Extensive Grooming throughout the Mountain.

Wolf Creek Ski Area is 100% open 7-days a week for the 2022-2023 ski season!

**** Snow report for Thursday, February 23rd at 2pm***

Summit Base Depth: 124"
Midway Base Depth: 116"
New Snow (24 Hours): 21"
New Snow (48 Hours): 31"
New Snow (72 Hours): 31"
New Snow (7 Days): 31"
Latest Storm Total: 31"
Year-to-Date: 310"

DAILY NOTES:

• The 2022-2023 ski season is underway with 7-day a week operations.
• Delayed openings are expected for some lifts and areas throughout the day.
• Lift tickets are at Regular Rates today, Thursday, February 23rd - $85 for Adults, $54 for Seniors & $42 for Children.

 

[marzNC]

Wolf Creek status for Feb. 24. There is a reason that it's better to stay on the east side of the Wolf Creek Pass instead of in Pagosa Springs. Also less expensive lodging in South Fork or Del Norte. Hard to imagine skiing 3 feet of powder on top of the deep base that was already there.

***The West side of Wolf Creek Pass will be closed until CDOT has determined that all avalanche hazards have been mitigated. The East side should be open around 9am to access the ski area only. Vehicles should have snow tires or chains. Check COTrip.org before attempting to drive up either side of the pass. All lifts will be operating with the exception of the Lynx - depending on visibility. Updates will be posted as conditions change.***

Wolf Creek has received 32" of fresh snow in the last 48 hours! Our all-natural snow depth is 124" at the midway. Conditions are Powder/Packed Powder with ongoing grooming throughout the mountain.

Lift tickets are at Regular Rates today Friday, February 24th - $85 for Adults, $54 for Seniors and $42 for Children.

 

[teppaz]

We ended up staying at the Quality Inn (Choice network) in South Fork and it was excellent: very good value, decent hot breakfast, clean, quiet. I'd recommend it for any stay there.

 

[marzNC]

Today WCSA sent three email updates as the situation changed because of the latest big snowstorm. First thing in the morning the road was still closed by CODOT. By mid-morning the road was open from the west side, meaning South Fork, but closed on the east side. So people in Pagosa Springs weren't able to get across Wolf Creek Pass until later in the day.

Wolf Creek Ski Area Update as of 2pm on March 16

Wolf Creek has received another 2" of fresh snow, for a latest storm total of 16" - and it is still snowing! Our all-natural snow depth is 134" at the midway with a year-to-date total snowfall of 397"! Conditions are Powder/Packed Powder with extensive grooming throughout the mountain.

Wolf Creek Ski Area is 100% open 7-days a week for the 2022-2023 ski season!

**** Snow report for Thursday, March 16th at 2pm***

The East & West sides of Wolf Creek Pass are open!

Summit Base Depth: 149"
Midway Base Depth: 134"

New Snow (24 Hours): 13"
New Snow (48 Hours): 14"
New Snow (72 Hours): 14"
New Snow (7 Days): 39"
Latest Storm Total: 14"

Year-to-Date: 397"

DAILY NOTES:

• The 2022-2023 ski season is underway with 7-day a week operations.
• Today, Thursday, March 16th through tomorrow Friday, March 17th lift tickets will be at Peak Rates - $95 for Adults, $64 for Seniors & $52 for Children.
• For the protection of our guests who have pre-purchased lift tickets, Wolf Creek Ski Area will now require the purchaser's I.D. and the credit card used to purchase the lift tickets when picking up tickets at the ticket office.

 

[teppaz]

Exactly why it’s a good idea to stay in South Fork.

 

[marzNC]

Exactly why it’s a good idea to stay in South Fork.

Having stayed between South Fork and Del Norte, that's definitely the side I'll stay on for any future trip to Wolf Creek. Not only is the road more likely to be open, the drive is much easier since the actual mountain driving is shorter. Driving to South Fork is flat and pretty easy even when it snows in the valley.

While the hot springs in Pagosa Springs are probably good fun, we never seem to have time for that when the skiing is good enough to ski until almost last chair.

 

[teppaz]

We did the hot springs on our trip and while it was fun, it was also not worth the drive. It’s indeed much easier and shorter from South Fork. Plus the best pizza place in Pagosa has a branch in South Fork!

 

[marzNC]

Joel's summary of the forecast on March 20 on OpenSnow (he's a co-founder) for Colorado in the coming week is simple:

"Summary​

Following sunny weather during the weekend, we are heading into a seven-day storm cycle with snow from today, Monday, all the way through Sunday, March 26. The first round of snow will be Monday to Tuesday morning, the second round of snow will be Tuesday through Wednesday night, and then we'll see additional waves of snow later in the week and during the weekend. This amazing season continues!"

Per usual, Wolf Creek is in a pocket for deep snow during the coming snow cycle. Stays cold in late March so the snow conditions will stay good into the start of late season skiing.

 

[marzNC]

Once again, Wolf Creek Pass is closed due to heavy snow. 17 inches in the last 24 hours and still snowing in the morning on March 21.

Wolf Creek morning update, March 21, 2023

Wolf Creek Pass is currently CLOSED ON THE WEST SIDE. The East side of Wolf Creek Pass is NOW OPEN to the Ski Area for Skier Traffic Only! All Lifts are Currently Delayed! Please check back on our website for any UPDATED INFORMATION!

Wolf Creek received 14" of new snow overnight with a new storm total of 28"! Our all-natural snow depth is 154" at the midway, with a year to date snowfall total of 437". Conditions are excellent with Powder/Packed Powder and extensive grooming throughout the mountain. Lifts will be delayed at this time!

 

[marzNC]

No skiing this afternoon at Wolf Creek. Too much snow and wind.

 

[marzNC]

Here's the March 23, 8am, email update from Wolf Creek. There is blue sky peaking out on the webcams. WCSA got more than 5 feet of snow in the last 7 days, with almost 4 feet in the last 72 hours and 2 feet in the last 48 hours. Wow!

From: Wolf Creek Ski Area
Subject: **8am UPDATE** East (South Fork) Side of Wolf Creek Pass Now Open: Wolf Creek Snow Report for 03-23-2023

Wolf Creek has received 8" of fresh snow in the last 24 hours for a new storm total of 53"! Our all-natural snow depth is 163" at the midway with a year-to-date total snowfall of 462"! Conditions are excellent with Powder/Packed Powder and extensive grooming throughout the mountain.

Wolf Creek Pass is still Closed on the West Side; the East Side of the Pass is now Open. We will update wolfcreekski.com with any new information about this closure!

Wolf Creek Ski Area is 100% open 7-days a week for the 2022-2023 ski season!

**** Snow report for Thursday, March 23rd at 8am***

Summit Base Depth: 178"
Midway Base Depth: 163"

New Snow (24 Hours): 8"
New Snow (48 Hours): 25"
New Snow (72 Hours): 42"
New Snow (7 Days): 68"

Latest Storm Total: 53"

Year-to-Date: 462"

 

[teppaz]

From the third webcam, you can see how high the snow reaches under the Treasure Stoke lift. And all this for $85 a day.

 

[marzNC]

WCSA is gearing up to open for 2023-24. Starting off with a weekend for Nova only, Nov. 11-12. Full operations to being on Nov. 17. Midway base is about 6 inches.

From WCSA homepage on Nov. 2

 

[marzNC]

Well, it's a very slow start for the Wolf Creek season. They only opened Nova and beginner trails for Nov. 18-19. No idea yet when 7-day operations will start. Midway depth is 2 inches as of Nov. 18.

I called WCSA Ski School today to book a lesson for mid-Dec but was told that they aren't taking any money for midweek lessons yet. They will wait until it's known when 7-day operations are assured.

I've been skiing WCSA on Dec. 11 the past two seasons. Very little snow in 2021 and loads of snow in 2022. In 2021, a snowstorm dumped so much snow just before Dec. 11 that Jason and I drove extra long days in order to ski that Saturday as a bonus day. In 2022, midway depth was around 40 inches and all the trees were in play. Just never know with early season conditions.

I see snow on the base webcam.

 

[TNtoTaos]

Well, it's a very slow start for the Wolf Creek season. They only opened Nova and beginner trails for Nov. 18-19. No idea yet when 7-day operations will start. Midway depth is 2 inches as of Nov. 18.

I called WCSA Ski School today to book a lesson for mid-Dec but was told that they aren't taking any money for midweek lessons yet. They will wait until it's known when 7-day operations are assured.

I've been skiing WCSA on Dec. 11 the past two seasons. Very little snow in 2021 and loads of snow in 2022. In 2021, a snowstorm dumped so much snow just before Dec. 11 that Jason and I drove extra long days in order to ski that Saturday as a bonus day. In 2022, midway depth was around 40 inches and all the trees were in play. Just never know with early season conditions.

I see snow on the base webcam.

Anything can happen between now and then -- let's start our snow dance!

 

[marzNC]

Progress! Not nearly enough snow to commit to 7-day operations completely. Still only the easiest beginner lift and terrain today. Doesn't sound like there will be a deep storm in the next few weeks. <sigh>

From the WCSA home page on Nov. 19:

Wolf Creek Ski Area is excited to announce the 2023-2024 ski season is underway! ​

Wolf Creek is open Today, Sunday, November 19th thru Sunday, November 26th with 7-days a week operations. Wolf Creek may transition back to weekends only after Sunday, November 26th depending on significant snowfall. The Nova Lift will be operating from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Nova and Susan’s runs will be available for skiers and boarders. Ski School, Ski and Snowboard Rental and Treasure Sports will be open with full services. Magic Carpet is open to all students enrolled in lessons including children in the Wolf Pup and Riders program. The Pathfinder Bar is serving a full drink menu and the Upper Lodge, is serving a full lunch menu featuring a hot special. Treasure Sports will is kicking off a Black Friday Sale today, November 19th that offers 40% of of select items. Lift Tickets are at beginner lift ticket rate of $44 for all ages!

We received 2 inches of fresh snow over night! The snow depth is 4 inches at midway on north facing slopes. Conditions are machine made and groomed snow early season conditions and unmarked obstacles.

An uphill pass ($5.00/year) is required for ascending and can be purchased at the Ticket Office. Uphill traffic is allowed only during operating hours and must proceed to the side of the runs as downhill traffic possesses right-of-way.

 

[marzNC]

Not conditions but thought it was worth posting . . . here's a good introduction to the family who own and operate Wolf Creek Ski Area (WCSA).

January 2023

What does independence offer Wolf Creek Ski Area?

WOLF CREEK SKI AREA – As he prepares to recline into the fast-approaching chair, Davey Pitcher cranes his neck attempting to read the numbers inscribed in the concrete foundation of the Treasure Stoke...

www.durangoherald.com

 

[marzNC]

The forecast for the incoming storm has finally made it worth looking at the detailed snow forecast for Wolf Creek. There will be 7-operations this week in any case.

Forecast for the latter part of Thanksgiving week, Nov 23-25

 

[marzNC]

WCSA has declared they are officially open for 2023-24! Although not promising 7-day operations after Thanksgiving weekend because it's pretty thin on the upper mountain. There has been only 15 inches of snowfall so far. Good news is that the big storm now expected to start on Friday is on track to drop as much as 2 feet before it moves east on Saturday.