Do you check the forecast a lot before a trip?

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2/27/08 at 6:14am

Skiboats
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Joined: October 2005
Location: WNY
Post Count: 361

This is getting crazy. We are going on our yearly mini trip. I start looking at the long range forecast before our date is even in range. Then our ski day goes from rain/snow, to cloudy, to light wintery mix and it is still six days out.

I breath a sigh of relief. Then get a pukey feeling. We are going to be there on that day no matter what, and I have no control over weather, that I know of, so why bother looking at all.

It's just the excitement of a little ski vacation has me obsessing.

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2/27/08 at 6:31am

Schussboelie
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Joined: March 2004
Location: Belgium
Post Count: 409

I usually check a few times and am thrilled when forecasts are good but try not to care when they're less promissing because as you said, you're gonna be there anyway.
It would be a shame to spoil the fun because you're depressed with the forecasts.

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2/27/08 at 6:37am

jerry5757
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Joined: December 2007
Location: Rochester, Michigan
Post Count: 67

Yup. Just as obsessively as you. Heck, doesn't even have to be a trip . . . if I'm planning on skiing the weekend locally I check every day, in part to choose between Sat or Sun skiing, amongst other reasons.

If it's a longer trip . . . I'd just like to know what I'm going to have to adapt to when I get there, and maybe come up with a schedule for what day might be a day off, especially if I am traveling with wife or kids that might want a break for a non-ski day.

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2/27/08 at 7:24am

crgildart
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Joined: December 2007
Location: The Bull City
Post Count: 12,038

Rain gear or fart bag? sweaters or shell?. Should we blow it off and go to the beach or zoo instead? There's no point in going if after the three + hour trip when you get there you are so poorly prepared you either have to spend $300 in the shop or spend most of the time sitting in the lodge.

I'd rather be skiing

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2/27/08 at 8:29am

Phlogiston
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Joined: February 2008
Location: Queens NY
Post Count: 682

I check forecasts from 3 different sources; look at the webcams from the mountain, and also look at any nearby webcams I can find on highways such as the Thruway, Mass pike, I-91 or I-93... and compare what I see on the webcams to the reports I read or current conditions, to decide which of the forecasts is more reliable.
I also go to websites that have trip reports, and subscribe to daily emails from realconditions.com.

An inch of boilerplate covering seven feet of snow is just as hard as an inch on top of 6 inches of machine made.

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2/27/08 at 8:32am

DropCliffsNotBombs
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Joined: December 2007
Location: T-town, Co. USA
Post Count: 711

I always check the Avy Report (every morning, like coffee) before I go skiing in my back yard.

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2/27/08 at 9:27am

Oceanic Steve
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Joined: February 2008
Post Count: 14

Phew, it's good to know that I'm not the only one with a ski weather forecast obsession. I get to know at what times the forecasts are updated and check twice a day.

That said, if the 7 day forecast says a storm is coming just before my trip - I get really excited.

If the 7 day forecast says there's going to be a thaw - I just say 'it's only a long range forecast, they're not accurate'

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2/27/08 at 10:10am

wasatchskier
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Joined: August 2006
Post Count: 461

I leave for Steamboat on March 7 and the first day of skiing will be on the 8th. It's 10 days out and I'm already obsessively checking the forecasts. First of all, it is super hard to predict the weather 10 days in advance so I don't really take much into consideration. But it's still fun to do and I get excited when I see promising conditions. But snow or shine, the conditions will be great and it will be a lot of fun.

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2/27/08 at 11:09am

deliberate1
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Joined: February 2004
Location: Maine
Post Count: 784

I just got back from a week at Jay Peak. For a month before we left I checked the forcasts at least once a day. And then about ten days before we left, the forcast was for "wintery mix", then "showers" and then "rain." Total bummer. The first day of my big pow vacation was a rainy 50 degrees. Skied anyway. Oh, well. Seems to be our family tradition.

#10

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2/27/08 at 4:58pm

Maui Steve
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Joined: November 2001
Location: Maui
Post Count: 568

Most people think I'm beyond obsessed when it comes to weather forecasts before ski trip. I'm going to Utah March 7. Been checking forecasts for a while. My take having done this for aq while is that forecasts are only good for about 7 days. However, you can get general trends such as high setting up over west coast, northerly flow, etc. I'm still too far out to get too excited or depressed about ski trip. However, by this weekend it will be real. Then, I can be excited or depressed.

#11

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2/27/08 at 5:11pm

at_nyc
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Joined: February 2007
Post Count: 1,498

No, I don't check until about a week out, at the most.

If I'm going out west mid-season, I don't check weather until about 3-4 days to it. The weather forecast is simply not reliable more than 4 days out! But the last 2 days, that's when I check weather from multiple sources.

There's actually a valid reason for looking at the weather. Yes, I'll be there no matter what the forecast. But I can choose what to pack and what to leave at home. Most importantly, which ski to take with!

For trips around here or up north, I check a bit more in advance, about a week. Number 1, the weather in California today will likely be the weather here in 4-5 days later. If there's no storm and the current coverage is thin, I might actually cancel the trip! Reason number 2, if there's rain right now and the temperature drops, then it'll take a lot of new snow to cover up all that boiler plate frozen rain. Again, if the forecast leading up to the trip is looking bad, I might change my plan, since there's no plane ticket to lock me down.

#12

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2/27/08 at 8:56pm

DropCliffsNotBombs
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Joined: December 2007
Location: T-town, Co. USA
Post Count: 711

I have had the most epic days when I just headed out "for a few runs" in crappy weather. Also, I have had mediocre days when it was a perfect bluebird powder day. You just never know....
Bottom line: If you wait for good weather, you'll never get anything done!

#13

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2/27/08 at 9:02pm

powderhound100
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Joined: January 2008
Post Count: 77

Quote:

Originally Posted by DropCliffsNotBombs

I always check the Avy Report (every morning, like coffee) before I go skiing in my back yard.

you are living the life.

#14

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2/28/08 at 12:38am

prickly
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Joined: January 2005
Location: Milan, Italy; Madesimo, Italy
Post Count: 2,346

I have a weather track button on my browser with the five or six most reliable forecast sites. Look at least a few times a day. In the Alps, weather is everything. No trees to help with visibility. When I go to North America, I stress a little less.

I don't want a holiday in the sun

#15

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2/28/08 at 2:38am

bumpfreaq
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Joined: April 2007
Location: A pleasant peninsula
Post Count: 7,499

I don't check the weather too much. I just throw everything I might need for any weather scenario in the car and go. Usually I use less than half of what I bring. I always bring rain gear for the slopes and pack lots of food, water and a -20* sleeping bag in case of road mishaps...... haven't ever needed any of it yet..... knock on head.

My dog loves the bumps too.
-melpark

#16

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2/28/08 at 5:37am

Do Work
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Joined: January 2008
Location: Springfield, MA
Post Count: 1,565

I have the weather channel on my phone and it calls me when we're expecting more than 4" in areas like VT and NH... I love it!

#17

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2/28/08 at 7:53am

eblackwelder
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Joined: January 2005
Location: MA
Post Count: 427

I start checking the weather for my trips way too early to be accurate and too often. It's a sickness really - join the club. It's easier to embrace your flaws than to try and correct them. There's no fighting it, so just go with it.

btw, isn't it time to check it again? It may have changed since the last time you checked. I bet there are other forecasts you haven't tried yet that are way more accurate than what you have been using so far - you may want to do some searching.

#18

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2/28/08 at 11:09am

ct55
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Joined: July 2006
Location: Central Mass
Post Count: 3,286

yes I check it all the time. If you're going somewhere the road might close you kind of have to. Plus packing/gear can be a concern. Gotta be prepared!

#19

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2/28/08 at 11:13am

ts01
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Joined: July 2002
Location: NY
Post Count: 1,456

i start in september or october. that's normal right?

#20

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2/28/08 at 12:04pm

kelly001
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Joined: August 2003
Location: Concord, MA
Post Count: 429

If it's a week trip I rarely bother checking the weather. You have to do the best of it regardless of what nature throws at you.

For a day trip, I usually check the day before. Actually I was going to go to Waterville Valley tomorrow and just noticed that they are calling for -35F wind chills tomorrow. I guess I'll find something else to do...

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