Read a snow forecast in this order: the dates it covers, when it was updated, the elevation it represents, and the snowfall on each day. Then check temperature, wind and the resort’s operating report before deciding where to ski.
Start with the dates, then the total
A five-day total answers how much snow is forecast over five calendar days. It does not tell you how much will fall before the lifts open on your chosen morning. Open the daily forecast and find the dates you can actually ski.
For example, imagine two resorts both show 30 cm over five days. At one, most of that snow is forecast for the day after you leave; at the other, it falls during your visit. The headline totals match, but the second forecast is more relevant to your trip. These are illustrative numbers, not current conditions.
stormstoke’s feed contains seven forecast days, beginning with today at the resort. The default comparison window is five days. Check the selected window when comparing totals, especially if you have changed your alert settings.
Find the elevation the forecast represents
A ski area covers a range of heights. When base and summit elevations are available, stormstoke requests its forecast two thirds of the way from the base to the summit. That is a consistent reference point for comparing mountains, not a reading from every trail.
For an illustrative ski area with a 1,000 m base and a 2,500 m summit, that reference would be 2,000 m: 1,000 + two thirds of 1,500. The resort page lists the forecast elevation returned by the weather provider. If the site lacks the base and summit values, the provider uses the height at the requested coordinates.
Open-Meteo documents elevation as an input to its statistical adjustment of model weather. A specified forecast height still does not turn model output into a measurement taken on the mountain.
Read snowfall, temperature and wind together
The daily table puts new snow beside the low and high temperature and peak forecast wind speed. Use the row for your ski date, then open the resort’s current conditions and lift report. A snowfall figure alone cannot confirm which terrain will open.
Daily totals also hide timing within a day. If your decision depends on an overnight arrival or an afternoon departure, consult a more detailed local forecast as well. Do not reinterpret a full-day snowfall value as an overnight snow report.
Check the update time before acting
stormstoke schedules four forecast refreshes a day. The displayed update time identifies the feed you are reading; a schedule is not proof that the latest refresh succeeded. If a forecast is marked older than usual or unavailable, use that status in your decision.
Keep the same date range when checking again. A rolling five-day total can change because a day drops out and a new one enters, as well as because the forecast itself changes.
- Confirm the resort and your ski dates.
- Check the update time and forecast height.
- Compare daily snow, temperatures and wind.
- Read the resort’s operating report and your route’s travel conditions.
Sources & further reading
Product details checked against stormstoke’s forecast and alert behavior on . This guide is general planning information; follow the linked resort pages for current forecasts.