This winter’s been especially rough for me and my friends for one simple reason: Where’s the snow?! Winter sports are always an anticipated part of the season for me, but this year has really been cramping my style because I, like many other South students, go to Willamette Pass for all my snowboarding needs, and this season just hasn’t been up to snuff. Personally I haven’t even headed up the pass once this season. While I admit that may be an issue with my dedication, the weather on the mountain just really isn’t offering much. At the time of writing this article, Willamette Pass was only running at limited capacity, with just seven out of 30 runs open and three out of six lifts open. It’s hard to believe it’s already late January, and we’ve still only been open at limited capacity.

I’m going to be frank with you: I haven’t been snowboarding for that long, so my experience is lacking. The last couple years may have raised my expectations to unrealistic standards. At the end of last season, my excitement and anticipation was heightened by the season’s exceptional snowfall, and I couldn’t wait to try again this year. But as the current weather has made clear, those hopes of last year seem foolish and remain unfulfilled. 

Unlike most of my problems, this one isn’t just in my head. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s snow water equivalent index, which tracks the amount of snow by the equivalent water it contains, this year’s snow is only 38 percent of normal, while the precipitation index is 94 percent of normal. This means that we are getting a normal amount of rain, but less snow than usual. This makes it crystal clear that it’s a snow problem and not a precipitation problem. There’s more: The Willamette Pass website records there being a 36-inch total snowfall, though none of that has happened in the past week. Previous season totals, as recorded by the website On The Snow, are significantly higher. The 2024 to 2025 season had 182 inches of snowfall, and the 2023 to 2024 season had 225 inches. Granted, these were full seasons running from late December to April or even May, so I’ll cut the current season some slack. 

I know a guy on Willamette Pass youth ski patrol, so I asked him: What’s up? 

“It’s been a challenging season from a snowfall standpoint,” South sophomore and youth ski patroller Ben Barnhart said. 

I’ve heard a similar sentiment coming from others, some on ski patrol and other avid skiers and snowboarders. But just because things aren’t great now doesn’t stop people motivated enough to get out there. 

“There is still enough [snow] to have a fun time,” Barnhart said.

I have yet to give up hope for a snow comeback, given the recent cold weather. All we need is some precipitation, and all of a sudden there’s snow. Even if this season hasn’t been the best, it’s OK. For now all we need to do is hunker down and hope for some snow to come down and break this drought.

Article by Ty Jones