Year ends on a dry note
But there's enough snow for weekend events; Blacktail opens
By CHRIS PETERSON
Hungry Horse News
After a soggy fall, 2004 ended back on a dry note, but at least we've got enough snow to ski on.
Measured at Glacier Park International airport, overall precipitation for the year was 16.39 inches, which is about 0.82 inches below a normal year. However, it was a lot better than 2003, when the valley only saw 12.26 inches of precipitation.
So far this winter, we've had an even foot of snow, with four inches on the ground at the airport.
Glacier National Park had a wetter than normal year, at least since the park started keeping records in 1949.
At West Glacier, total precipitation for 2004 was 35.27 inches. An average year sees about 29.36 inches. In December, West Glacier saw 2.36 inches of precipitation. Normal is 3.29 inches.
There's about six inches of snow on the ground right now. While that might not seem like much, there have actually been 12 other winters since 1949 in West Glacier that had less snow, according to Dennis Divoky, a fire specialist with the park.
The most precipitation ever in December was 7.72 inches in 1980.
Cold weather and a biting wind blew in over the New Year's holiday, bringing with it badly needed snow. All told, most valley locations have seen between four and six inches, with more in higher elevations. The notable exception is Big Creek in the North Fork, which has barely an inch of snow. It has been cold, however. Polebridge had 29 below on Wednesday morning.
Blacktail Mountain near Lakeside finally opened up for skiers on Christmas Eve. The ski resort usually opens about Dec. 10. Blacktail is now open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The heavier snows have also opened up 99 percent of the terrain on Big Mountain in Whitefish. Big Mountain generally sees more snow than Blacktail.
The dearth of snow is an affliction felt across the state.
Snowpacks across the board are below normal for this time of year. The Flathead River Basin is currently at 86 percent of average for precipitation and 71 percent of average for snow water equivalent. Snow water equivalent is the amount of water one would have if the snow were to melt.
All river basins in Montana are currently below average. The Bitterroot is particularly dry, at 63 percent of average.
Even so, there's still plenty of snow to snowmobile on in the North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork drainages. There's also enough snow to cross-country ski on in Glacier National Park.
The snow also comes at a perfect time for winter events planned for this weekend.
In Polebridge, it's the annual Root Beer Classic sled dog race Saturday and Sunday. Sled dog racers from across Montana come to town to race in the event.
Races start about 10 a.m. each day. Spectating is free. Travelers are urged to be cautious on the North Fork Road. It's currently a sheet of ice.
In Essex, the Izaak Walton Inn will hold its ski festival, with cross-country ski lessons and ski and snowshoe demos by Sportsman Ski Haus and Rocky Mountain Outfitters.
There will be free horse-drawn sleigh rides offered by Three Dog Down, of Polson, and a slide show on ski history by 10th Mountain Division veteran Bob Frauson. A favorite Ski Fest highlight is the snow sculpture contest. Guests are encouraged to judge snow sculptures designed by employees of the Izaak Walton Inn. For more information, call the Inn at 888-5700.