5 Reasons I'm Rooting for a Super El Niño Winter
Pray for snow
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've likely heard about "Super El Niño" this year.
While I'd like to think I understand what El Niño is at this point in my adult life, I would still struggle to explain it to a five-year-old, which probably means I don't actually understand it.
I did technically start college as a meteorology major. However, I lasted about two months before switching to business.
So I'm not going to attempt a scientific explanation or make any predictions about what this winter will look like. For that, I recommend some recent articles from actual scientists at OpenSnow about the developing Super El Niño and their Fall 2026 Weather Outlook.
To be honest though, my eyes start to glaze over after a few paragraphs about sea surface temperature anomalies and atmospheric circulation patterns, at which point I start scrolling until I find a colorful map that answers the only question I really have:
Are we favored to get some snow?!
Thankfully this particular image is giving me some hope:
And after one of the driest winters on record in Colorado this past year, I'm grasping at any hope I can find.
Last winter made for some pretty sad skiing conditions, and even scarier snowpack levels. However, we've finally gotten some significant rain from the monsoons over the last month, and every afternoon storm that rolls through has increased my optimism that this forecast will prove to be true.
Is that scientifically valid?
Probably not, but the odds do appear to be tipping in our favor.
So, to fuel the hope a little more, I thought I'd share a few reasons why I'm personally rooting very hard for a snowy winter.
Fingers crossed, y'all 🤞.
Pray for snow 🙏❄️.
1. Snow + Milton = Pure Bliss
Milton, our eleven and a half year old golden retriever, has started having some health problems this year, and it's becoming clear that our time with him is limited.
I can't really get into the details of that without sobbing all over my keyboard, so we'll leave it there.
What I can talk about is Milton in the snow.
Cold temperatures and snow turn him into a puppy again. He zooms through fresh powder, digs holes like he's some kind of trained avalanche rescue dog, rolls around and shoves his entire face into snowbanks, and chases after us when we're on skis.
Cold temperatures and snow turn him into a puppy again.
These are some of the most joyful moments I've ever experienced, and I'd really love for him (and us) to get another winter of it.
So c'mon, El Niño. Milton is counting on you.
2. Date Nights on the Slopes
One of Bret's and my favorite "date nights" involves leaving home on a Friday afternoon and heading toward Loveland Ski Area.
We finish the workday at Plume Coffee Bar in Silver Plume, usually with a latte and a donut, because why not, it's Friday! Then around 4:30, when the lifts close, we drive over to Loveland and use our uphill access passes.
We'll skin up for a lap (usually with Milton in tow), and if the timing and weather cooperate, ski back down an almost completely empty run under the moonlight.
It's hard to beat, especially when the evening ends with a good beer and some pho or curry.
Alternatively, we occasionally get there before the lifts open on a Saturday morning. This requires considerably more discipline and motivation, but the Plume donut afterward tastes even better.
3. Peaceful Winter Adventures
Bret has said before that he thinks he actually spends more time outside during the winter than the summer.
I think he might be right.
We both love summer in the mountains, but neither of us particularly enjoys heat. When the temperature drops and the snow starts falling, we're usually pretty eager to get outside.
Sometimes that's backcountry skiing or snowshoeing. Other times it's literally just taking a walk in the woods between meetings or after dinner.
The feeling of cold, crisp air in your nostrils and lungs, the crunch of snow under your boots, and a special kind of quiet that only seems to happen during this time of year is all around special.
Places near us that get crowded and busy during summer suddenly empty out. Trails disappear under snow and parking lots have three cars instead of thirty.
Snow becomes a blanket thrown over the mountains, quieting the buzz of the warmer months and allowing the landscape to rest deeply for a while.
I look forward to that every year.
4. Cozy Nights at Home
Of course, part of loving winter is also loving the part where you come back inside.
We live at 8,491 feet in Evergreen and have a wood-burning stove, outdoor sauna, great neighbors, a growing selection of Costco wine, and no shortage of fuzzy blankets.
The Danish word hygge probably describes this better than I can, with its meaning revolving around:
- Togetherness: Sharing slow, relaxed time with close family and friends.
- Comfort: Enjoying warm drinks, soft blankets, and comfort food.
- Atmosphere: Turning down harsh lights and using candles or a fireplace for a soft glow.
- Presence: Putting away phones and being fully in the current moment.
There's something about the early darkness and harsh conditions outside that bring about a natural rhythm change. Slowing down, getting cozy and comfortable, resting more, and taking pleasure in the little things like the glow of the fireplace, a cup of tea, a warm meal, and an early bedtime make the winter something I've come to embrace more.
Not to mention, an 8:30pm bedtime can feel completely reasonable 😴.
By March, I will almost certainly be complaining that I'm tired of keeping the firewood stocked and having perpetually cold hands and feet.
But that's March Bricelyn's problem. August Bricelyn is ready.
5. Summer Time that Makes Me Feel Fine
Last year was a pretty stark reminder of what it feels like to head into summer with very dry conditions and low snowpack.
The foothills start looking parched by early June, streams are reduced to a trickle, wildlife has fewer reliable water sources, and wildfires become a real threat (one we experienced firsthand in Ouray this summer).
A snowy winter obviously doesn't eliminate wildfire risk, and one wet season isn't going to solve the long-term drought problems facing the West, but heading into spring with healthy snowpack matters.
Rivers and lakes fill up, the landscape stays green longer, wildflowers get their turn, and those first hot, windy days of summer feel a little less ominous.
So...Are We Actually Getting a REAL Winter this Year?
Nobody knows, including the people who do this for a living.
El Niño doesn't guarantee a monster snow year in Colorado, and past Super El Niño winters haven't all looked the same.
We don't know how it will play out. What I do know is that I'll welcome any amount of moisture with open arms.
Will I be desperate for warm weather and book a flight to Southern California by February?
It's very likely.
Will I complain about mud season in April and long to walk on trails without piles of snow on them?
Also yes. Humans are remarkably talented at anticipating the next thing we think will make us happier.
When that happens, I'll come back and read this post.
Until then, let's go, El Niño. We're rooting for you.
Your #1 fangirl, Bricelyn