Record snowfall
across
much of the western United States not only
eased the drought,
but also helped the weather seasons.
ski, many of which hope to operate well into the summer.
Perched more than 3,200 meters above sea level,
Colorado's
Arapahoe Basin is
famous for its long snow seasons
.
The resort's icy rinks were the first in the state to open last fall, and they don't usually close until June, when summer is about to dawn
in
the United States.
"
I bet you anything we'll make it to July
. I hope so," says Ian Burkle, 52, a ski fan.
A skier slides into Arapahoe Basin.
Photo Jason Connolly / AFP
"We always aim for the 4th of July. If you can ski up here that day is great. But it hasn't happened in a couple of years."
But this year, in which the mountains of California, Utah and Colorado have all recorded jaw-dropping snowfalls, the so-called "A Basin" has plenty of competition for spring skiing, in what's shaping up to be a record-breaking season across the
West
.
While Colorado can thank consistent snowfall and low temperatures for its good skiing and winter sports prospects, Mammoth Mountain in California has also recorded its snowiest winter on record, with nearly 60 feet of snow.
Ski for adults and children next to the Lenawee chairlift.
Photo Jason Connolly / AFP
This figure exceeds the previous record of 17 meters.
Heading for a legendary spring
"It's going to be a
legendary spring
and we'll be open every day at least until July," the resort wrote on Instagram.
Utah surpassed its state snow record
on March 24, according to the federal government's Natural Resources Conservation Service, and several ski resorts in the area pushed back their closure dates as well.
One Utah resort, Little Cottonwood Canyon, even had to close for a day due to excessive snowfall, posing an avalanche risk.
All of this
is in stark contrast to the European Alps
, where the "extreme" winter heat left many skiers frustrated at the sight of brown slopes with barely a trace of snow in January.
Arapahoe Basin usually has snow until June.
Photo Jason Connolly / AFP
Katherine Fuller, a spokeswoman for Arapahoe, says the resort has received a lot of interest from foreign travel agencies, who "have been in touch to see how to arrange a last-minute trip to the United States for skiing."
But the strong swings and swings point to worrying long-term trends.
Human-caused global warming exacerbates weather patterns, making wet periods wetter and dry periods drier.
And for many skiers the excitement about snow conditions pales in comparison to the implications for the decades-long drought that has plagued the western United States.
"Having quality water and making sure it's going to the right place and there's enough for the crops and everything else is pretty important," said Jared Brower of Denver, also in the west.
"Skiing is great, but in the long run probably being able to eat is more important."
Still,
the ability to ski in the off-season is "incredible
," Fuller says.
"It's kind of a
party
. The weather is great. There's nothing like paddle skiing from the top of a mountain in late spring, even early summer."
Andrew MARSZAL / AFP
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