USDA SNOTEL TelemetryCOID: 842:CO:SNTL
Confidence:Moderate

Vail Pass / Shrine Pass, CO: Snow Depth & Forecast

Network: USDA SNOTEL Telemetry •Elevation: 10,580 ft (3,225 m) •Coordinates: 39.529°N, 106.216°W •Region: Colorado Central Rockies

Activity:
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FairCondition Rating

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Condition scores evaluate settled base depth, fresh powder accumulation, temperature preservation, and wind crust hazards based on current telemetry.

Observation Freshness & Provenance

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Settled Base DepthUSDA SNOTEL Sensor
--Telemetry
Recent Snowfall AccumulationNumerical Weather Stream
--Modeled
7-Day Atmospheric ForecastOpen-Meteo High-Resolution Stream
--Forecast
Historical Baseline (% of Normal)NRCS / NOAA 1991–2020 Normals
30-Yr BenchmarkBaseline
Settled Base DepthVail Pass / Shrine Pass
USDA SNOTEL Sensor
--in
SWE (Water Eq.)N/A
24h New Snow--
72h Storm Total--
Historical Season BaselineNormal Near Zero (Early Season)

Why Conditions Currently Look Limited

Vail Pass / Shrine Pass
Mathematical Point Contributions:
Base Depth: 0 pts

7-Day Snow & Weather Forecast

High-resolution numerical weather prediction

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Historical Climate Baselines & Normals

1991–2020 Normals
Current vs Typical for Date
Normal Near ZeroNormal for this date is near zero (early autumn)
Typical Seasonal Peak
68"Typically late Feb – early Apr
Typical Recreation Season
November - MayCore winter snowpack window
Methodology: Baselines represent 30-year median snow water and depth records calculated by USDA NRCS / NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

About Vail Pass / Shrine Pass Telemetry & Geography

Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area is Colorado's premier multi-use winter playground with dedicated motorized (snowmobile) and non-motorized (backcountry ski/nordic) zones spanning 55,000 acres.

Season Normals & Recreation Windows

The typical winter season for this zone runs from November - May. Historically, peak snow depth averages approximately 68 inches, generally reached between late February and early April depending on elevation.

Operating NetworkUSDA NRCS SNOTEL (Automated acoustic & pillow telemetry)
Elevation ZoneHigh Alpine Continental

Official Avalanche Advisory Required (Vail & Summit County)

FrostBurst condition ratings score snow depth and meteorological quality, NOT avalanche danger. Before backcountry skiing or mountain riding, you must check the official regional avalanche forecast and carry rescue gear (beacon, shovel, probe).

View Official Avalanche Center Forecast →

Station & Telemetry Metadata

USDA SNOTEL
Operating NetworkUSDA NRCS National Water & Climate Center
Reporting CadenceAutomated telemetry (hourly cadence)
Observation EquipmentAcoustic ultrasonic depth sensor & electronic snow pillow
Official Station ID842:CO:SNTL

Station Geography

Base Depth
48"+
24 - 48"
12 - 24"
< 12"
Awaiting data

Nearby Telemetry Stations

Sorted by Distance
Berthoud Pass Summit29.8 mi away • 11,300 ft (+720 ft higher)
--SNOTEL
Rabbit Ears Pass62.4 mi away • 9,400 ft (1,180 ft lower)
--SNOTEL
Monarch Pass Summit71.5 mi away • 10,760 ft (+180 ft higher)
--SNOTEL

Nearby Winter Recreation Areas

Within 100 Miles
Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area55,000 acres of managed mountain snowmobile corridors and backcountry ski bowls.
0.2 mi→
Berthoud Pass Backcountry BasinHistoric 11,300-ft Continental Divide touring mecca for ski mountaineers and splitboarders.
29.8 mi→
Steamboat & Rabbit Ears PassEndless rolling high-country meadows and world-famous Steamboat champagne powder.
62.4 mi→
Recommended Guide

What is the Freezing Level and Why You Must Watch It

The critical elevation boundary where precipitation transitions between rain and snow, and how it impacts passes.

Read 6-min Guide →