Smuggler's Notch vs Canadian Rockies in Late March?

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Anonymous

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My wife and I are planning a family trip during March 26-30 with 4 kids (ages 5-14) and are debating Smuggler's Notch vs Canadian Rockies. <BR> <BR>Does anyone have experience with conditions in Vermont in late March? <BR> <BR>When is University/College Spring Break in that part of the world? <BR> <BR>So many questions.....so many choices. Any advise?
 
Late March starts getting iffy, especially in the East. As much as I love Smuggs, I've got to say head West. It's a longer trip (I'm making the assumption that you're from the other side of that really big puddle), but in Vermont in late March, you could have anything from fresh powder to spring corn to a total deluge. A true crap shoot. <BR> <BR>Meanwhile, out West elevation plays in your favor. Keep in mind that the true "Canadian Rockies" resorts (along the BC/Alberta border) for the most part lack the snowfall of the more interior BC resorts. So if there's a thaw by then, it will show more prominently at places like Lake Louise. However, their elevation is significantly higher than their BC brethren such as Fernie, Red Mt., Apex or Sun Peaks. I guess that it then depends on which evil is lesser - if snowfalls in Alberta have been prodigious, I'd bet on elevation. If not, I'd side with the averages. <BR> <BR>Quite the answer, huh? Not very helpful, I guess. <BR> <BR>Spring Break varies from university to university, but pretty much takes place in March. I'd venture to say that most are mid-March. <BR> <BR>Any other opinions out there?
 
Interior Western Canada has had an exceptionally poor start this season. The Banff resorts are low in snowfall anyway and should thus be avoided in a subpar season barring a dramatic weather turnaround. <BR> <BR>Fernie, which normally gets lots of snow, is having its worst Christmas in over 20 years. It is low altitude and will have spring conditions late March except during storms. <BR> <BR>I recommend Utah and Colorado this year, especially late season. Late March will still be winter conditions over 8,000 feet, and these areas have had the most snow so far. <BR> <BR><A HREF="http://members.aol.com/crockeraf/seas01.htm" TARGET="_top">http://members.aol.com/crockeraf/seas01.htm</A> for more details on current season progress by region.
 
As a Smuggs regular, obviously I am biased. <IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":)"> That said, the east is having it's best Christmas in years. Check my recent No Bull reports for more detail. However, this doesn't say much for what conditions may be like in March. Historically, Marc is right - it is a crap shoot. However, coming to Vermont always is. Anything can happen at any time. If you ever want to come here, March & February are the 2 likliest months for favorable conditions. <BR> <BR> For what it's worth, last March there was so much snow here that avalanche warnings were broadcast at Smugglers Notch. This is a rare occurance in Vermont to say the least. <BR> <BR> On the other hand, I've been in Colorado in April and was spoiled with a foot of fresh powder. And I have to concur that the elevations of the west provide more reliability. <BR> <BR> So I guess I've run in the same circle as Marc did, I'm not sure if I helped you at all!
 
if you never decided i am pretty sure <BR>there is more snow in Vermont right <BR>now than in any part of the world. <BR>jay peak just topped 540 supposedly. <BR> <BR>everything else is fantastic totals <BR>be damned.
 
Well, the results are now official. November to April snowfall totals this season: Smuggler's Notch 434, Fernie 178. Don't bet on this ever happening again in our lifetimes.
 
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