If you’ve been tracking the SNOTEL data like I have this winter, looking at Colorado’s snowpack numbers has been a grim exercise. By late January 2026, we were staring down the barrel of an all-time low—hovering around 58% of the typical average for this time of year. For those of us who obsess over base depths and water equivalents, that number is terrifying. It usually means one thing: rock skis and core shots.
However, the data is finally showing a deviation from the dry trend. We are seeing what meteorologists are calling the "strongest signal" of the season, indicating a shift toward colder, snowier patterns that could salvage the mid-winter window.
The Meteorological Breakdown
The turnaround didn't happen overnight, but the signals have been building through January. We saw initial pulses around January 2nd and 9th, but the real relief for the snowpack came from a more sustained cycle between January 23rd and 26th.
According to Bruno Rodriguez and Bernie Meier from the National Weather Service, the atmospheric setup is finally favoring the Rockies.
- The Shift: The high-pressure ridge that was blocking storms has broken down.
- The Signal: Meteorologists note this is the most significant moisture transport vector we've seen all season.
- The Result: Consistent, skiable accumulation rather than just "dust on crust."
Resort Impact: Who is Winning?
This shift has been a lifeline for terrain expansion. Resorts that were struggling to drop ropes are finally opening up significant acreage. Silverton Mountain, Purgatory, and Sunlight Mountain have all reported fresh accumulation that is actively changing the surface conditions from "firm and variable" to legitimate soft snow.
Even the giants are breathing a sigh of relief. Vail, which scores a solid 85/100 on ShredIndex, finally received the coverage needed to boost confidence for the remainder of the 25/26 season.
The Gear Strategy: Adapting to the Change
When the weather shifts from a drought to active storm cycles, your equipment needs change. We are moving from hardpack carving tools to variable condition setups. The base is still thin in areas (remember that 58% stat), so you need agility, but you also need float for the fresh pockets.
Here is what I recommend keeping in your rotation right now:
- The Daily Driver: You need a ski that can handle the new snow but holds an edge when you inevitably scrape the old, firm base underneath. I'm currently looking at the Atomic Bent 100 Skis for this exact scenario. It's playful enough for the fresh stuff but nimble enough to dodge early-season sharks.
- Layering for the Drop: With this snow comes a significant drop in temperatures. If you've been riding in a shell over a tee shirt during the warm dry spell, it's time to layer up. A high-quality synthetic mid-layer like the Patagonia Nano Puff is essential right now—it breathes when you're hiking for fresh lines but insulates when the chairlift stops.
- Vision Control: Storm skiing means flat light. Ensure you have a high-contrast lens. If you haven't upgraded recently, check out the Smith I/O Mag Goggles with the ChromaPop Storm lens.
The Outlook
While short-term forecasts for late January suggest a brief lull, the long-range models for the latter half of February are promising. The jet stream appears to be dipping, which should keep the storm door open.
It’s not a full recovery yet, but for the first time this season, the numbers are moving in the right direction.
Source: Powder.com
