SNOTEL Telemetry StationCOID: 842:CO:SNTL
Confidence:High

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

Physical Sensor: Automated SNOTEL Station •Elevation: 10,580 ft (3,225 m) •Coordinates: 39.529°N, 106.216°W •Region: Colorado Central Rockies

Activity Profile:
Verified Telemetry
0.0/10
PoorCondition Rating

Poor: Thin 0" base, softening at 48°F, calm winds.

Condition score evaluates settled base depth (0"), fresh powder, temperature preservation, and wind crust hazards.

Data Freshness & Provenance

🟢 Live Telemetry Synced
Settled Base DepthUSDA SNOTEL Sensor
Just nowRecent
Recent Snowfall AccumulationAutomated Telemetry
Just nowFresh
7-Day Atmospheric ForecastOpen-Meteo Numerical Stream
< 1 min agoLive
Historical Baseline (% of Normal)NRCS / NOAA 1991–2020 Normals
30-Yr BenchmarkBenchmark
Settled Base DepthVail Pass / Shrine Pass
Measured (SNOTEL)
0in
SWE (Water Eq.)0.2"
24h New Snow+0"
72h Storm Total+0"
Historical Season Baseline2% of Normal

Why Conditions Currently Look Limited

Vail Pass / Shrine Pass
Positive Condition Drivers
  • Calm 0 mph winds with low windchill
Limitations & Caution Factors
  • Thin 0" base with exposed rocks, snags & culverts
  • High 48°F temp causes rapid snowpack degradation
Mathematical Point Contributions:
Base Depth: 0 ptsTemp Thaw: -5.8 pts

7-Day Snow & Weather Forecast

High-resolution Open-Meteo atmospheric forecast

7-Day Total: +17.0" Snow
TodayOct 2
❄️
+4.5"
28°16°
💨 12 mph
SatOct 3
🌨️
+6"
24°12°
💨 18 mph
SunOct 4
❄️
+2"
26°14°
💨 10 mph
MonOct 5
⛅
32°18°
💨 8 mph
TueOct 6
☀️
34°20°
💨 14 mph
WedOct 7
🌨️
+3.5"
27°15°
💨 20 mph
ThuOct 8
❄️
+1"
29°17°
💨 11 mph

2026–27 Snow Season & Historical Baselines

1991–2020 Normals
Current vs Typical for Date
2%-98% below typical
Historical Average Peak Depth
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 & Climatology

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.

Measurement MechanismAutomated Ultrasonic Acoustic Depth + Snow Pillow SWE
Elevation ZoneHigh Alpine Continental

Official Avalanche Advisory Required (Vail & Summit County)

SnowBase 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 Quality & Sensor Reliability

Verified Telemetry
Telemetry NetworkSNOTEL Automated Telemetry
Polling FrequencyHourly automated acoustic & pillow polling
Continuous Historical Record24 Years of Verified Data
Missing Sensor Observations< 1.2% (High Reliability)

Station Geography

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

Nearby Telemetry Stations

Sorted by Distance
Berthoud Pass Summit29.8 mi away • 11,300 ft (+720 ft higher)
1"SNOTEL
Rabbit Ears Pass62.4 mi away • 9,400 ft (1,180 ft lower)
0"SNOTEL
Monarch Pass Summit71.5 mi away • 10,760 ft (+180 ft higher)
0"SNOTEL
Snowy Range Pass (Medicine Bow)125.3 mi away • 9,600 ft (980 ft lower)
0"SNOTEL

Nearby Winter Recreation Areas

Surrounding Zones
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 →