How the call works
Snowbies makes one call for each resort: is it worth going? Here is what goes into it, how it adds up, and when it won't make one.
What we read
The resort's own snow report: base depth and new snow. Its lift status, live where the resort publishes it.
Weather stations for wind and temperature: the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia and MetService in New Zealand.
Forecast models for the days ahead (ECMWF, GFS and the UK Met Office, through Open-Meteo), and road authorities for chains and closures.
Every page lists its sources in the footer, and how each one is reading right now.
How it adds up
The snow makes the score: base depth, new snow, how much of the mountain is open, and the surface (powder, packed, spring or icy). Each is scored out of 100, weighted for your level, and added up.
Then the day takes it down if it needs to. Strong wind cuts the score as lifts go on hold. Flat light cuts it hard, because you can't read the slope. Rain on the snow, when the freeze level is above the runs and rain is actually falling, cuts it hardest.
New snow counts differently by level. For a beginner, 5 to 10 cm is ideal and a heavy dump counts for less. For an advanced rider, more is always better.
What counts most, by level
For the default riding style. Powder moves weight onto new snow; Family moves it onto groomed runs, base and open lifts. You set both in Plan your trip.
What the number means
- 80–100Go for it
- 60–79Worth it
- 40–59Maybe
- 0–39Not this week
Reported or estimated
Every figure says where it came from. A reading from the resort or a weather station is reported. A figure from a weather model is estimated, and it says so next to the number.
An estimate never stands in for a reading without the label. When the call leans on estimates, the score carries a tag saying so.
When we won't call it
Four things hold the call up: base depth, lift status, the snow forecast and a wind reading. If one is missing, the score shows with a low-confidence tag. If two are missing, or base depth is missing and there's been no real new snow, the page says "Can't call it yet" instead of a number.
The forecast and live weather stay on the page either way, so you can read it yourself.
What it isn't
Snowbies is a guide to a better day out, not a safety service. Conditions change fast in the mountains. For safety, road closures and warnings, follow the resort and the official sources.
No resort pays for its call. If a figure looks wrong, tap "Something wrong here?" on the resort, or email info@snowbies.app.