The Flakes Podcast

The Flakes is where skiers, snowboarders, and unapologetic winter addicts get their weekly dose of storm stoke, forecast therapy, and actual useful intel about where to chase snow.

Hosted by three OpenSnow meteorologists who wake up at ridiculous hours to watch weather models wobble, we break down what’s coming, what fizzled, and which mountains are about to make your season. Expect honest insights, a little forecasting chaos, and plenty of laughter about the emotional roller coaster that is winter.

From powder days to “white ribbons of death,” from La Niña surprises to fantasy-range heartbreak, we’re here every Wednesday to guide you through the storms—planned, missed, or completely made up by the long-range models.

If you ride lifts, tour the backcountry, obsess over gear, or simply love brands that keep you warm, dry, and less smelly on chairlifts… welcome to The Flakes. This is your winter tribe.

Perfect for listeners and sponsors who live the mountain lifestyle.

Earth Sciences
Wilderness
Places & Travel
51
Episode 82: California Breaks Records - 2/6/2024
California Breaks Records and Experienced Forecasting
26 min
52
Episode 81: Promising Signs for Early February ...
Record warmth transitions to mild storms which may lead to colder storms... eventually.
35 min
53
Episode 80: Tahoe Mashed Potatoes - 1/22/2024
Wet snow in Tahoe, a little snow for the southwest, but overall a dry and mild pattern for the U.S. to end January.
30 min
54
Episode 79: Back to A December Like Pattern? - ...
Cold & snowy for most of the country over the past week. Storms continue this upcoming week. Are we headed back towards more of December pattern?
30 min
55
Episode 78: Snowing Everywhere (Finally!) - 01/...
It's finally snow around the country, and we talk to a local powder hound in Japan.
38 min
56
Episode 77: New Year, New Pattern w/ Cold & Som...
2024 will start colder and snowier than 2023 ended.
29 min
57
Episode 76: Steamboat Was On the Nice List - 12...
Steamboat Picks Up Over 2 Feet of Snow, while Much of the West Waits for Bigger Storms to Return.
37 min
58
Episode 75: More Rain Than Snow - 12/18/2023
33 min
59
Episode 74: Month End West Coast Hype - 12/11/2023
A Quieter Weather Week, with A More Active Pattern Possible Later in December.
42 min
60
Episode 73: Why Does It Snow So Much at Alta? -...
Snow Continues in the Pacific NW and Northern Rockies.
31 min
61
Episode 72: Did 2022-23 Set the Bar Too High? -...
The Flakes are Back for the 2023-24 Season!
41 min
62
Episode 71: OpenSnow Special - The Joys and Cha...
OpenSnow.com presents a Flakes Podcast special, "The Joys and Challenges of 900" of Snow". I...
40 min
63
Episode 70: Historic Season Finale - 4/11/2023
OpenSnow.com presents a light-hearted discussion of mountain weather with your hosts (and OpenSno...
40 min
64
Episode 69: OpenSnow Special - Skiing w/ Cody T...
OpenSnow.com presents a Flakes Podcast special, "Skiing w/ Cody Townsend". In this special e...
33 min
65
Episode 68: Obliteration of Snowfall Records - ...
OpenSnow.com presents a light-hearted discussion of mountain weather with your hosts (and OpenSno...
42 min
66
Episode 67: Winter Refuses to End - 3/27/2023
OpenSnow.com presents a light-hearted discussion of mountain weather with your hosts (and OpenSno...
47 min
67
Episode 66: Terribly Tenacious Trough? - 3/20/2023
OpenSnow.com presents a light-hearted discussion of mountain weather with your hosts (and OpenSno...
47 min
68
Episode 65: Winter Continues into Spring - 3/13...
OpenSnow.com presents a light-hearted discussion of mountain weather with your hosts (and OpenSno...
46 min
69
Episode 64: Nutso Snow & Impending Atmospheric ...
OpenSnow.com presents a light-hearted discussion of mountain weather with your hosts (and OpenSno...
43 min
70
Episode 63: The CEO & A Ton of Snow! - 2/27/2023
OpenSnow.com presents a light-hearted discussion of mountain weather with your hosts (and OpenSno...
73 min
71
Episode 62: OpenSnow Special - Cat Ski Guiding ...
OpenSnow.com presents a Flakes Podcast special, "Cat Ski Guiding in The Sierra". In this epi...
13 min
72
Episode 61: Winter Returns with A Vengeance! - ...
OpenSnow.com presents a light-hearted discussion of mountain weather with your hosts (and OpenSno...
39 min
73
Episode 60: Cold and Snow in the Desert - 2/14/...
Sponsored by Alta Ski AreaOpenSnow.com presents a light-hearted discussion of mountain weather wi...
43 min
74
Episode 59: The Stratospheric Winds Are Blowing...
OpenSnow.com presents a light-hearted discussion of mountain weather with your hosts (and OpenSno...
40 min
75
Episode 58: The Mid-Winter Snow Patterns - 1/30...
OpenSnow.com presents a light-hearted discussion of mountain weather with your hosts (and OpenSno...
36 min