Best Weather App for Skiing and Snowboarding

The best weather app for skiing tracks wind at ridgeline elevation, new snow density, and whether overnight temperatures will freeze tracked-out snow into boilerplate by morning. Resort forecasts don't tell you any of this. Learn more in Best Weather App for Hiking in 2026. Learn more in Best Weather App for Camping — What Actually Matters Overnight.

Wind at summit elevation, not at the base lodge

Resorts close upper lifts at sustained 35-40 mph winds at ridgeline. A valley forecast of 15 mph can still mean closed upper mountain if the summit is gusting 45 mph. Always check wind at elevation, not at the base.

Snow water equivalent

Six inches of heavy wet snow and six inches of light powder are completely different ski days. Low SWE (under 0.5 inches per inch of snow) equals light champagne powder. High SWE equals heavy wet snow that skis slow and ices overnight. OpticWeather's snow water equivalent calculator gives you the density numbers.

Overnight temperature

If it drops below 25°F after a warm afternoon, yesterday's tracked-out snow freezes solid by 7am. If you're catching the first tram, you're skiing ice until the groomers soften.

Visibility and fog

Lifts also close for low visibility. "Light snow expected" sounds ideal until it's combined with fog at 1,500 ft above the base. Then it's whiteout conditions and closed upper lifts.

Layer correctly for variable ski days: a Smartwool Merino Baselayer under your shell manages sweat on warm runs and insulates on cold lifts. Sorel Caribou Boots handle icy parking lot walks to the lodge. Moshi Digits touchscreen gloves let you check conditions on your phone without bare hands in the cold.

Download OpticWeather | Check snow water equivalent