UT, CO or Tahoe in January?

[scrub]

It looks like the stars are going to align, my buddy and I both have Epic local passes this season and some time off in January. We will be at Whistler for MLK weekend with the families but looking for a spot for 4 days riding either just before or just after that. He also has an Ikon pass and access to cheap Alaska flights.

I don’t usually leave the PNW in the winter except for Durango and Wolf Creek so where are we most likely to find the best snow? We have splits/avy gear and training but mostly looking for great tree riding and inbounds pow.

[kimchi]

Tahoe is iffy in a La Niña winter. When you look at those La Niña trend maps (below), Tahoe is literally right at the "corner" of California, right at the transition between "wetter" and "dryer" zones. We've had terrible La Niña years (both 20/21 and 21/22 were both bad winters) and we've had spectacular La Niña years (2010/2011 was an epic, record-breaking season).



My understanding is UT and CO are generally not great in La Niña years, but I'll defer to locals. If I had access to cheap flights, I'd just check the weather forecast a week or so beforehand and figure it out on the fly.

[scrub]

Tahoe is iffy in a La Niña winter.

If I had access to cheap flights, I'd just check the weather forecast a week or so beforehand and figure it out on the fly.

Thanks, Kimchi. I had anticipated both of these answers! It sucks that he has to bid for his time off, I can be a little more flexible.

[scrub]

Heading to Tahoe for a couple of days next week, I have Epic Local so Heavenly, Kirkwood, Northstar are covered. If you were an old guy from the PNW that likes to ride trees where is a must-ride and any worth skipping?