Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Went the first few seasons running all season tires. Gave up on that and went to studless snows. Have found X-ice and Blizzak tires to work well. Never used studs but have friends that swear by them.
Many big pow days at Bachelor. Problem for me is trying to navigate in the low visibility that comes with the pow. Like when trying to get from the top of NWX to the trees when I can only see a few feet in any direction. I have had some gnarly crashes with nearly invisible wind drifts on that route during storms. Even getting from the top of NWX to top of PMX on the getback trail can be risky with all the hidden wind drifts. Had a friend visit during a storm cycle and he was getting dizzy before I could get him to the trees. Fog was so thick and winds so high we couldn't tell if we were moving let alone which direction we were going. I normally avoid those days but when hosting friends gotta go with the flow.
But then there are those few unbelievable backside days that make up for the rough storm weather. After a big storm cycle the backside can be a surreal wind sculpted playground. Just beautiful and so much fun.
So... About the snow shoveling that was mentioned...
The first time it snowed after we moved to Bend, we had about 8" at our place (near Shevlin Park, just past Mt. Washington). My husband and I went out to shovel our driveway, and it was somewhat comical when we started, as we'd only shoveled east coast (Maryland) snow before. We expected the snow to be heavy and attacked it with more force than we found was needed. The snow was like friggin' fairy dust - not the heavy, cement-like snow we were used to facing back east.
We never thought shoveling snow in Bend was anything but easy.
Our place (around 3700 feet above sea level) got more snow than you see in most parts of town - there were times where it was snowing pretty well at our place and we'd run down to the convenience store on Century Drive, and there wouldn't be any snow there whatsoever.
Hubby and I both love snow, and found the situation awesome.
So... About the snow shoveling that was mentioned...
The first time it snowed after we moved to Bend, we had about 8" at our place (near Shevlin Park, just past Mt. Washington). My husband and I went out to shovel our driveway, and it was somewhat comical when we started, as we'd only shoveled east coast (Maryland) snow before. We expected the snow to be heavy and attacked it with more force than we found was needed. The snow was like friggin' fairy dust - not the heavy, cement-like snow we were used to facing back east.
We never thought shoveling snow in Bend was anything but easy.
Our place (around 3700 feet above sea level) got more snow than you see in most parts of town - there were times where it was snowing pretty well at our place and we'd run down to the convenience store on Century Drive, and there wouldn't be any snow there whatsoever.
Hubby and I both love snow, and found the situation awesome.
Interesting to read your experience being different from Bend Local and Delta's experience of Bend snow being heavy and wet / high water content.
Your experience is what I would think snow would be like in Bend most of the time as the moisture is drying out from storms as they approach Bend.
Isn't that the high desert climate year round with most storms there? Mountains ring out most of the moisture and Bend gets left overs?
If there were low snow ratios in Bend like here in VA that would not seem in line with the high desert climate? Here in VA 10:1 ratios or lower are the norm and powder snow that can even blow or drift is unusual outside of the mountains and freak events.
Probably again it is about perception, Delta used to live in CO where powder and very high ratios are the norm so compared to places like that or Utah Bend would be certainly have wetter and heavier snow.
Some where I read that Bachelor east side has higher ratios and more powder than the western facing areas? Probably why some skiers still seek places like Utah and CO for powder snow and high ratios over the PNW ski areas? I expect CA is the same way? wetter ratio's farther west and drier on eastern slopes?
Just like the warm / cold and sun / clouds debate it all comes down perceptions and expectations, on that I think we can all agree.
My only weather reference when I move to Bend will be a life time in the VA/WV area. The thing I think may not be what I expect will be the cloudy days? As I have only been closly watching Bend sky for 1-1/2 years. This supposedly "odd" year in Bend has had more sun than I expected. As of yesterday Bend has had 20 more days with sun/partly sunny or 20 less days of cloudy/ mostly cloudy days than VA.
Even if there turns out to be more cloudy days most years in Bend ? The colder nights and dryness are pretty constant there and I will love that change from a life in the warm/wet and cold/ wet patterns here.
One of the other things I love about Bend is the City Data Forum and all the locals who take time to post their views here, it is all interesting stuff to read.
The amount of snow was a big factor in us locating in Three Rivers South. There is usually more there and we love snow! Bends snow as a rule is a little wetter, but Co snow can vary as well. Some call Oregon snow Cascade Concrete, but I have already seen some nice light powder.
CO usually has Champagne powder due to low humidity levels but also has spring "mashed Potatoes"
Regardless we have a snow blower, four wheel drive vehicles, and a lifetime of driving in it, so bring it on!
The snow was like friggin' fairy dust - not the heavy, cement-like snow we were used to facing back east.
In my experience that type of very dry snow is rare. Sometimes the trees don't drop all their leaves before the snow rolls in and they will be bent nearly in half from the weight. Some of my trees have been damaged from this over the years. Yes both extremes of snow density happen but IMO the average is the heavier stuff. They call it "Cascade Concrete" for a reason.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snownut
Your experience is what I would think snow would be like in Bend most of the time as the moisture is drying out from storms as they approach Bend.
I thought the same thing before I moved here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by whirnot
Regardless we have a snow blower, four wheel drive vehicles, and a lifetime of driving in it, so bring it on!
I have wished for a snow blower on a few occasions.
Last edited by BendLocal; 08-22-2013 at 10:56 AM..
So... About the snow shoveling that was mentioned...
The first time it snowed after we moved to Bend, we had about 8" at our place (near Shevlin Park, just past Mt. Washington). My husband and I went out to shovel our driveway, and it was somewhat comical when we started, as we'd only shoveled east coast (Maryland) snow before. We expected the snow to be heavy and attacked it with more force than we found was needed. The snow was like friggin' fairy dust - not the heavy, cement-like snow we were used to facing back east.
I definitely agree that much of the snow we get in town is very dry. In my 5 years of living here, I recall one winter where that wasn't the case. We had some relatively heavy snow that seemed to stick on the roads for almost 2 weeks. But, overall, it's been pretty light and more on par with what I'm used to. My husband is originally from Erie, PA and we've been back there for many lake snow effect storms. Now that's some heavy snow!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snownut
Interesting to read your experience being different from Bend Local and Delta's experience of Bend snow being heavy and wet / high water content.
Your experience is what I would think snow would be like in Bend most of the time as the moisture is drying out from storms as they approach Bend.
Isn't that the high desert climate year round with most storms there? Mountains ring out most of the moisture and Bend gets left overs?
If there were low snow ratios in Bend like here in VA that would not seem in line with the high desert climate? Here in VA 10:1 ratios or lower are the norm and powder snow that can even blow or drift is unusual outside of the mountains and freak events.
Probably again it is about perception, Delta used to live in CO where powder and very high ratios are the norm so compared to places like that or Utah Bend would be certainly have wetter and heavier snow.
Some where I read that Bachelor east side has higher ratios and more powder than the western facing areas? Probably why some skiers still seek places like Utah and CO for powder snow and high ratios over the PNW ski areas? I expect CA is the same way? wetter ratio's farther west and drier on eastern slopes?
Just like the warm / cold and sun / clouds debate it all comes down perceptions and expectations, on that I think we can all agree.
My only weather reference when I move to Bend will be a life time in the VA/WV area. The thing I think may not be what I expect will be the cloudy days? As I have only been closly watching Bend sky for 1-1/2 years. This supposedly "odd" year in Bend has had more sun than I expected. As of yesterday Bend has had 20 more days with sun/partly sunny or 20 less days of cloudy/ mostly cloudy days than VA.
Even if there turns out to be more cloudy days most years in Bend ? The colder nights and dryness are pretty constant there and I will love that change from a life in the warm/wet and cold/ wet patterns here.
One of the other things I love about Bend is the City Data Forum and all the locals who take time to post their views here, it is all interesting stuff to read.
I think you have a thorough understanding of our weather here Snownut! In Bend itself, I don't think the snow is all that wet, save a few storms. On the mountain, it can vary depending on where the storm is coming in from and how much moisture it's bringing. I've skied everything from champagne powder to Cascade cement up there. That's why I buy a pass though. If I go up and the weather and snow conditions are not ideal for me, then I go home. I don't feel like I'm wasting an entire lift ticket price because I'm suffering through conditions I don't like, or I am leaving early and not getting full use of my pass. And, like you said, conditions on the mountain can change simply by changing your location on the mountain. I've been on the west side, over in Northwest chair territory and been hammered by wind, rain, snow, low visibility, etc. I simply head over to the east side of the mountain, in Rainbow chair territory, and find much more ideal conditions. That's how storm cycles seem to work here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by whirnot
The amount of snow was a big factor in us locating in Three Rivers South. There is usually more there and we love snow! Bends snow as a rule is a little wetter, but Co snow can vary as well. Some call Oregon snow Cascade Concrete, but I have already seen some nice light powder.
CO usually has Champagne powder due to low humidity levels but also has spring "mashed Potatoes"
Regardless we have a snow blower, four wheel drive vehicles, and a lifetime of driving in it, so bring it on!
I actually think the mashed potato type snow has more to do with warming temperatures in the afternoon during the spring, rather than moisture content of recent storms, although I'm sure it plays into it as well. We get the mashed potato snow up at Mt. Bachelor too in the spring. We also get rain, which isn't as common in CO. I've skied more in the rain here than anywhere else I've skied.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BendLocal
In my experience that type of very dry snow is rare. Sometimes the trees don't drop all their leaves before the snow rolls in and they will be bent nearly in half from the weight. Some of my trees have been damaged from this over the years. Yes both extremes of snow density happen but IMO the average is the heavier stuff. They call it "Cascade Concrete" for a reason.
Cascade Concrete is more common at places on the west side of the Cascades. Just ski Hoodoo or Mt. Hood to experience a drastically different snow type compared with Mt. Bachelor. I would say overall, that Mt. Bachelor has more powder type days compared with concrete type days, when comparing to resorts in the PNW. It's hard to compare with the champagne powder you get in Utah and Colorado. It's an entirely different climate type.
I would say overall, that Mt. Bachelor has more powder type days compared with concrete type days, when comparing to resorts in the PNW.
Bachelor may get more dry snow than other PNW resorts, cannot confirm because my days at Hoodoo and Hood have been limited. If you are saying Bachelor gets more dry snow than heavy snow then I would say my experience does not support that statement. But that could be as simple as visiting the mountain at different times. It can start on the lighter side at 9am and be much heavier just 2 hours later. And IMO Cascade Concrete is more common at Bachelor than light dry snow.
IMO on average the snow that hits Bend is the same or heavier than what drops at Bachelor. I can recall multiple times where I shoveled heavy snow in Bend only to find drier snow at Bachelor. Always a welcome surprise!
Bachelor may get more dry snow than other PNW resorts, cannot confirm because my days at Hoodoo and Hood have been limited. If you are saying Bachelor gets more dry snow than heavy snow then I would say my experience does not support that statement. But that could be as simple as visiting the mountain at different times. It can start on the lighter side at 9am and be much heavier just 2 hours later. And IMO Cascade Concrete is more common at Bachelor than light dry snow.
IMO on average the snow that hits Bend is the same or heavier than what drops at Bachelor. I can recall multiple times where I shoveled heavy snow in Bend only to find drier snow at Bachelor. Always a welcome surprise!
Well, it should be, right? Seems counter intuitive otherwise -- Bachelor's elevation advantage and all. Unless there is some funky microclimate in place.
While you are all on the subject: should I bring my snowblower if (when) we move to the Bend/Redmond area? I was thinking of leaving it for whoever buys our house, but perhaps it's worth shipping. It's a 12 year old 11hp Craftsman but still runs well. I've cleared 1 foot (and more) of snow off our steep driveway many times each winter. I'm not as young as I used to be and don't want to have to shovel Cascade concrete.
While you are all on the subject: should I bring my snowblower if (when) we move to the Bend/Redmond area? I was thinking of leaving it for whoever buys our house, but perhaps it's worth shipping. It's a 12 year old 11hp Craftsman but still runs well. I've cleared 1 foot (and more) of snow off our steep driveway many times each winter. I'm not as young as I used to be and don't want to have to shovel Cascade concrete.
For snow removal on a steep logging road driveway, some folks get a used 4x4 Quad & chains, with a plow...
On my place my used John Deere Gator 6x4 comes in very handy...
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
And, like you said, conditions on the mountain can change simply by changing your location on the mountain. I've been on the west side, over in Northwest chair territory and been hammered by wind, rain, snow, low visibility, etc. I simply head over to the east side of the mountain, in Rainbow chair territory, and find much more ideal conditions. That's how storm cycles seem to work here. 
