BA is on the road at Operation Sierra Storm, so Mike and Evan take the mic this week — and take on a stubborn January ridge that just won’t move. They break down why the West has gone quiet on the powder map, why parts of the Sierra snowpack look oddly uneven, and why the Great Lakes and Northern New England keep winning with lake effect and a favorable storm track.

Plus, OpenSnow meteorologist Zach Butler drops in for a quick snow-science conversation on SWE vs. snow depth and how the Community Snow Observations (CSO) project helps improve snowpack modeling across the West.

The Flakes Podcast is proudly sponsored by Alta Ski Area — one of the most special ski areas on the planet. Independently owned since 1938 and tucked deep in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta is a skier’s-only mountain known worldwide for its powder skiing. With an average of 538 inches of snowfall each season, powder days aren’t the exception here — they’re the norm. Learn more at Alta.com.

We’re also supported by Smartwool, because chasing storms means long days outside in every kind of weather. From cold chairlift rides to deep powder laps and post-ski town runs, Smartwool’s merino layers keep us warm when it’s cold, cool when it’s not, and comfortable no matter what the forecast throws our way. It’s gear we actually wear — on storm days, travel days, and everything in between. Visit Smartwool.com to learn more.

Whether you’re waiting out the ridge, chasing storms east, or eyeing Japan, we appreciate you being part of the Flakes community.

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