La Niña La Failia

"It's coming again. La Niña coming back!" These were the words I heard from skiers, whether forecasters, and random web pages starting around October or November. Due to the massive effect of La Niña last year, this produced a lot of excitement. However, now it's late January, and here's the snow report from Bridger Bowl:
New Snow: 0 in.
Settled Base Depth: 31 in.

Temperature: 37 degrees F.

Montana averages between 70 and 80% behind average snow fall. The average base depth at Bridger on new years day is 48 inches. This year it was half that. And it's not just Montana. The Lake Tahoe Resorts (Alpine Meadows, Heavenly, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose, Northstar, Sierra and Squaw Valley) have 18-48 inches on the ground. The only two resorts in the lower 48 I'm aware of that have decent skiing right now are Jackson Hole and it's little sibling, Grand Targhee. They are still behind average, but have each received at least ten feet of snow this season.

However, while the Euro is falling, the snow just keeps piling up across the ocean. Europe is well above average, with some resorts reporting 200+ inches on the ground. This is exactly the opposite of last year, with the lower 48 getting pounded, but BC, Alaska, and Europe bone dry. But, as I look out the window, the clouds are coming in, and I can see the Bridgers becoming shrouded in white. Maybe white things will fall from the ski to. Curse you Ullr.