Don’t store away your gear just yet, because snow conditions on Mount Hood just took a significant turn for the better.

A powerful storm dumped 10 inches of fresh, light snow on the mountain Tuesday, and there is sporadic snow in the forecast through next week.

Conditions at Meadows were simply outstanding for April Fool’s Day, and that is no joke. The snow was light and creamy, and quite deep in the usual wind pockets and tree lines. The skies alternated between light snow, heavy snow and sun breaks.

Everyone I rode the lift with all day was beaming at the crazy phenomenon of some of the best snow all year dropping in April — for the second year in a row.

I ran into Meadows regulars Sean Jacks and Robert Hammond, and we managed to snag the first chair up Cascade. Nothing but untracked snow in every direction, and it felt as good underfoot as it looked from above — pure bliss.

Here’s Robert enjoying his turns down Upper Elevator:

Best of all was the temperature: nice and cool, to preserve those spring snow gains. The forecast is calling for sub-freezing temperatures at 6,000 feet for the next week, which bodes well for a few more weeks of mountain enjoyment.

A news release sent out by Meadows Wednesday said:

Resort officials are stoked about the changing forecast, which has more snow this weekend, and heavier amounts at the beginning of next week. Meadows intends to operate on its original schedule – daily through April 12 and then weekends, if weather and conditions allow. Resort officials are hopeful that this change back to winter weather will bring some snow fall so they can continue operations.

As of April 2, the snow base at 5880 feet at Timberline is 61 inches. At the Meadows marker (el. 5380) it is 32 inches.

Timberline is selling a $99 Spring Pass good through Memorial Day Weekend — assuming the snow holds up.

If this scenario seems familiar, that’s because basically the same thing happened last year after a disappointing peak season. The snow hit Hood hard all through April and beyond. I seem to remember shredding chest-deep powder in May.

We can only hope for a repeat.

Last modified: April 2, 2015