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Resources from the Grand Poobah of Powder

  • Writer: Andrea Hamilton
    Andrea Hamilton
  • Feb 14
  • 3 min read

Updated: Apr 15


The GPOP doesn't always share useful links, but when he does… they’re ridiculously helpful. Stay informed, stay safe, and always be like a legend.

  • What is a Poobah? See wayyyy below

  • AAA Road trip safety list

  • AR: Atmospheric River

  • Butterfly Effect The butterfly effect: small changes in weather early on can lead to big shifts later. Since weather is a chaotic system, forecast accuracy fades over time.

  • Chaos Theory Weather isn’t random—it’s chaotic. Forecasts come from models, but even tiny early changes can lead to big shifts later.

  • Climate Prediction Center

  • Explanation of ridges of high pressure and of low pressure.

  • Elevation list: Mostly PNW area elevations.

  • Goggles: How to Choose the right lens color (low light, fog, sun)

  • February Snow Stats, from WSDOT. Best Valentine's Day, 2021.

  • NWAC, NW Avalanche Center

  • Snow Depths at Ski Resorts Larry says "It's not just about snow depth. There could be a lot of snow but that doesn't mean all the runs are open."

  • Resorts list: CLOSING dates, PNW and other favorites.

  • Wind Chill chart

  • WSDOT on tires and chains: Studded tires do not meet state chain requirements. When chains are required, drivers of front-wheel and rear-wheel drive passenger vehicles must install chains over the studded tires. Drivers of four-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive vehicles do not need to install chains when signs say “chains required,” but they must still carry chains inside the vehicle and may need to install chains over studded tires if conditions worsen and requirements change to “chains required on all vehicles.”

PRIMARILY WEATHER


What's a Poobah?


You’ve heard of the Powder Poobah. Larry happily acquired the name back in the early 90's as it wasn't claimed yet. But what exactly is a Poobah? Glad you asked.


The term "Grand Poobah" is often used to describe someone in a fancy, over-the-top leadership role—sometimes with a big hat and a lot of self-importance. But where did it come from? Let’s take a little trip through history:


📺 1982: Happy Days joined in the fun! Howard Cunningham was the Grand Poobah of the Leopard Lodge No. 462 in Milwaukee. And let’s not forget Big Al, who got the honor of running the Poobah Doo Dah—whatever that was!


🦴 1960-66: The Flintstones made "Grand Poobah" a household name, using it as the title for the head honcho of the Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes (yes, Fred Flintstone’s secret society with goofy hats).

🎭 1885: Gilbert & Sullivan introduced Pooh-Bah, a comically prideful character in The Mikado who held a ridiculous number of government positions—because why have one title when you can have them all?


📜 1840: The idea of a big-shot leader was inspired by Baron Factotum, the "Great-Grand-Lord-High-Everything" from James Planché's play The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood.


So there you have it! The Poobah is a time-honored title of… well, someone who’s really into their leadership role. And in the skiing world, Larry Schick, the Schickster, the Powder Poobah reigns supreme, forecasting fresh snow for powder-hungry skiers and boarders like you!


This list is growing, please send us your helpful links.

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