BASICS- Your Guide to Storm Skiing Done Right

While the mountain may have closers and lines, if you know how you can find fresh lines all day long on storm days.

Storm skiing is its own kind of escape. The world narrows to the space inside your hood, the wind softens the edges of everything, and each turn feels weightless—fresh snow billowing around your knees, the mountain reshaping itself under your skis. It’s quiet and chaotic at once, like moving through a shaken snow globe.

But the same conditions that make storm days unforgettable also demand respect. Visibility drops. Terrain changes fast. The margin for error shrinks. Here’s how to get the most out of those deep, disorienting days while keeping yourself and your crew safe.

1. Ski With a Buddy

Storm days aren’t solo days. Heavy snowfall and low visibility amplify hazards like tree wells, snow immersion, and simple disorientation.

A partner keeps you visible, accountable, and connected. Leapfrog each other. Stop where you can see the next person. Treat it like storm protocol—because in a blizzard, even inbounds terrain can feel like the backcountry.

2. Consider Wearing a Beacon

It’s not dramatic. It’s practical.

Inbounds slides, deep‑snow burials, and tree‑well incidents happen every season. Wearing a beacon on storm days gives your crew a real way to find you quickly if something unexpected happens. It’s a small piece of gear that adds meaningful confidence when the snow is stacking fast.

Skiing into the unknown? Low visiblity, no depth perception all things to consider if you're going to be skiing in weather.

3. Wear Bright Colors

Whiteout conditions erase contrast. Your muted kit might look great on a bluebird day, but in a storm it disappears instantly.

Bright colors help your group stay together, help others avoid collisions, and make you easier to spot if you fall or stop in a low‑vis zone. Think of it as your own signal flare cutting through the storm.

4. Layer Like You Mean It

Storm days are cold, wet, windy, and relentless. This is not the day to test your minimalist setup.

Add an extra insulation layer, pack dry gloves, and make sure your outerwear is truly waterproof. Staying warm keeps your reactions sharp and your day fun instead of draining.

5. Ride the Trees—But Know Your Limits

Trees are your best friend on storm days. They break up the flat light, give you contrast, and often hold the best snow. But they also demand control.

If you can’t confidently manage your speed, stay out of tight or steep tree zones until conditions match your ability. Storm skiing should feel fluid, not frantic.

6. Respect Closures

While ducking a rope (or two) may look tempting, there is probably a good reason that area is closed off. The fresh laps that are on the other side are more likely than not closed for mitigation, saftey, or other considerations (for example: building access roads with machinery) that you may not be to see.

Keep your pass, and listen to signage and patrol. They have your best interest at the forefront.

7. If You’re Uncomfortable, That’s Okay

Storm days can be intense. If the wind is howling, the snow is nuking, and your gut says “not today,” listen to it. There’s nothing wrong with grabbing a hot toddy, warming up by the fire, and watching winter do its thing from the lodge.

The Beauty of the Blizzard

Storm skiing is one of the purest ways to experience winter—weightless turns, deep silence, and the feeling of moving through something bigger than you. With the right preparation, the right layers, and the right people, it becomes the kind of day that stays with you long after the storm clears.