Mt. Hood Meadows in the springtime. Image courtesy of Mt. Hood Meadows

Easter has always been one of my favorite days of the year to ski. Why? Because it’s usually great snow, or great weather, or as is the case this year—both! And because it just feels good to be in the snow on the holiday, wearing the mountain version of my Sunday best.

The Cascades picked up between 6 and 10 inches of new snow over the last few days. Good, cold mid-season snow. And now, we have great weekend weather. Saturday is actually going to be a little better than Sunday, because it’ll be colder and clearer.

Slather on the sunscreen. I mean give yourself and your partner a good slathering, because the strong April sun will work you over if you don’t. The sun will begin to work over the snow too, but I still expect mid-winter conditions all day Saturday.

The air warms up on Sunday as the freezing level climbs to 7,000 feet. By afternoon the snow may have more of a spring feel, but this isn’t a massive melt off, corn snow set up either. We’re still expecting great conditions for Easter. Central and Southern Oregon ski areas may see a few snow showers in the afternoon, but nothing that will lead to big accumulations. But take the goggles with you if you’re heading up Sunday. Northern Oregon will likely stay snow shower free Sunday, but having the goggles along for the ride is a good idea here too, even if they stay in the car.

And the party doesn’t end on Sunday. Next week brings minor yet pleasant accumulations to Oregon ski areas at elevations above about 5,000 feet. Roads just wet, but new snow on the slopes is not bad at all.

And next weekend holds promise for truer spring conditions, as it looks like a pretty good warm up late in the weekend.

This may be my last Powder Alert of the year, so thanks for reading. I hope you had a great season and were able to take full advantage of the epic days and powder we’ve had since December. It was a remarkable season!

I’ll talk to you again in the fall, when we’ll have a better idea about a potential El Nino developing and what it may mean for next winter.

Have a great summer!

Matt Zaffino
KGW TV Chief Meteorologist

Read more on Ski Oregon:

•2017 Spring Events & Deals At Oregon Ski Areas

•Golf & Ski This Spring During Oregon’s Second Ski Season

•Experience the Adventure of Camping at Oregon Ski Areas