Journal 68: Epic Snowfall Pinehaven’s Greatest Hits

Measuring a snowstorm isn’t as simple as reading a ruler. After all, anyone who has ever opened their cabin door to find the porch missing knows a ruler isn’t always the most honest witness. A storm’s true size is shaped by more than snowfall totals—it’s the howling winds that shake the rafters, the nights spent stoking the stove, the drifts that swallow porches, its length, and the unforgettable stories neighbors still tell years later. 

In other words, declaring the “biggest” storms is part science and part folklore. In fact, some of our neighbors swear their favorite storm gets six inches taller every time they tell the story—kind of like a fish tale, but with snowdrifts.

So what were the snowstorms that truly earned legendary status in Pinehaven’s history? Using the best historical data and snowfall records available, I’ve put together a list of snowstorms that stand above the rest—those rare giants that truly left their mark on Pinehaven and the region. The statistics come from a blend of professional and volunteer observers who make up the nation’s broader weather-reporting network such as the National Weather Service, COOP, CoCoRaHS program, and trained NWS spotters. (1) A heartfelt thank-you to Ron Jameson and Sherry Leap, whose insights and suggestions helped shape this project in meaningful ways.

I’ve listed the storms in the order they occurred, and when you reach the end of the article, you’ll be able to rank their impact in a quick online poll. Now, grab a warm drink and settle in—here are the storms that earned their place in Pinehaven’s unofficial Hall of Fame for Epic Snowstorms.

Cuchara’s Most Epic Snowstorms

1913 — December 1–5 (48–54 inches). The “Great Blizzard of 1913” wasn’t just another winter storm—it was a once-in-a-century event that buried southern Colorado and delivered one of the worst snowfalls Cuchara has ever known. (2) Snow piled up faster than people could shovel, and regional totals likely surpassed four feet. On December 4 alone, precipitation data suggest La Veta Pass was blasted with an astonishing 53 inches of snow. (3) It was the kind of storm where even the horses probably stared at their owners like, “Nope. Not going out in that.”

Across Colorado, travel simply stopped. Wagon roads vanished, trains froze in place, automobiles disappeared beneath drifts, and mountain towns were cut off from the outside world. (4) Roofs, barns, and outbuildings groaned, buckled, and collapsed under the crushing weight. Given its elevation and exposure, Cuchara’s snowfall is estimated to have reached an incredible 48–54 inches—transforming the valley into a silent, snow-choked landscape.

1915 — December 3–5 (snowfall severe but unrecorded). In early December 1915, a monster winter storm roared across the High Plains and southern Colorado. The Pueblo Chieftain dramatically dubbed it “the granddaddy of blizzards,” a sprawling system that stretched from Cheyenne, Wyoming, all the way to Trinidad, Colorado, unleashing blinding snow and wind gusts reaching 50 mph. Drifts climbed to the eaves of houses and even topped trolley cars, while trains across eastern Colorado ground to a halt beneath the mounting snow. (5) It’s safe to assume that if snow could bury a trolley car, it probably made quick work of every front porch in Cuchara. Although no official snowfall measurements survive for the Cuchara region, the photographs and eyewitness reporting leave little doubt: this was a historic storm of truly overwhelming scale.

1946 — November 2–5 (48 inches). In early November 1946, Colorado was caught in the grip of a slow-moving winter powerhouse that refused to let go. Over four relentless days, heavy snow blanketed the state, and one Huerfano County station recorded an astonishing 48 inches in a single day—part of one of the longest continuous precipitation events ever documented. (6) By day four, most folks weren’t sure whether they should shovel the walkway or just start tunneling.

Across Colorado, roads were buried, airports shut down, and the storm claimed 13 lives. In high-elevation communities like Cuchara, snowfall was almost certainly even deeper, with estimates ranging from 36 to 48 inches. It was the kind of storm that didn’t just arrive and depart—it settled in, reshaping the landscape and daily life for days on end.

1955 — May 20 (42 inches). In mid-May 1955, Cuchara and the wider Spanish Peaks region were blindsided by an astonishing late-season storm that unleashed roughly 3.5 feet (42 inches) of dense, heavy snow—paired with an incredible 9.1 inches of liquid precipitation in just 48 hours. (7) What began as an unseasonable snow quickly escalated into a full-scale disaster: roofs buckled under the weight—including the beloved summer studio of artist Clayton Staples—and at least 24 additional cabins were damaged or destroyed. (8)   

Across the valley, livestock perished, roads washed out, and emergency crews were even forced to dynamite a beaver dam above Cuchara to prevent an imminent flash-flood surge. The storm’s reach stretched throughout southern Colorado: La Veta Pass shut down, parts of Trinidad sat beneath four feet of water, and the collapse of the Linden Avenue bridge claimed the life of an 18-year-old man. Coming on the heels of a prolonged drought, this extraordinary event became one of the most destructive—and unforgettable—late-spring storms ever to strike the region.

1973 — March 1–April 10 (90–120 inches). As winter faded everywhere else, southern Colorado found itself trapped under an almost nonstop barrage of snow during late March and early April 1973. For roughly ten relentless days, the Cuchara region was buried again and again—some accounts recalling as much as 120 inches in Cuchara, while reports from nearby Trinchera documented closer to 90 inches, with certain days delivering nearly a foot of new snow at once. (9) The storm brought the region to a standstill: highways shut down, hundreds of travelers were stranded, and ranchers faced devastating losses as thousands of cattle succumbed to the deep drifts and brutal conditions. (10) Even today, the Spring 1973 blizzard endures as one of Colorado’s most unforgettable storms—and a defining chapter in Cuchara’s weather history.

1974 — December 29, 1973 – January 8, 1974 (65–75 inches). As 1973 drew to a close and the new year dawned, the Cuchara region was hammered by an extraordinary succession of snowstorms that piled up an astonishing 65 to 75 inches of snow—five to six feet—in just eleven days. (11) Though this event rarely appears in statewide blizzard histories, its impact on local communities was unmistakable: cabins disappeared behind drifts, residents shoveled their way into 1974, and temperatures plunged to a bitter –23°F on January 3. With no official weather station in Cuchara at the time, the story of this storm survives through NOAA regional data and local newspaper reports, each confirming the remarkable severity of Huerfano County’s snowfall—often matching or exceeding that of better-known storms. (12) Quietly powerful and intensely local, the 1974 storm stands as one of Cuchara’s most formidable winter events, a reminder that even unheralded mountain blizzards can reach historic proportions.

1997 — November 28–30 (90 inches). The infamous “Thanksgiving Blizzard” roared into southern Colorado on November 28 and did not loosen its grip until the 30th, burying Huerfano County under more than four feet of snow. (13) The Cuchara Mountain Resort was hit even harder, reporting an astonishing 90 inches—seven and a half feet—of fresh powder. At that point, measuring the snow didn’t require a ruler so much as a brave volunteer with a snorkel—preferably someone who hadn’t eaten a second helping of Thanksgiving dinner.

Interstate 25 shut down for an 85-mile stretch from Pueblo to the New Mexico border, turning holiday travel into a regional crisis. (14) Hundreds of motorists were stranded, entire roadways lay beneath three feet of snow, and widespread power outages racked up more than $200,000 in damages. Snowdrifts climbed as high as ten feet, and snowfall estimates for the Cuchara community ranged from 60 to 90 inches. (15) Recovery stretched well into December, with Huerfano County relying on outside assistance—including neighboring counties’ snowplows—to finally dig out from one of the most punishing storms in its history.

1999 — December 3–4 (61.25 inches). In early December 1999, a ferocious winter storm unloaded unprecedented snowfall across the Cuchara region. The National Weather Service documented a staggering 61.25 inches of accumulation in Cuchara. (16) When the snow climbs past the windows, you know it’s serious—when it climbs past the roofline, you start looking for the ark.

Snowdrifts towered so high that vehicles were stranded, mountain roads were shut down for days, and many cabins saw decks, cars, lower windows, and even rooflines swallowed by snow. (17) For residents, travel became nearly impossible, turning Cuchara into an alpine island and cementing this event as one of the most severe snowstorms in the history of southern Colorado.

2007 — December 20, 28, and January 5 “Three-Peat” (42 inches). Pinehaven—and much of southern Colorado—endured an unforgettable “three-peat” of winter fury when three powerful blizzards barreled through in just seventeen days. The first storm hit on December 20, the second followed on December 28, and the third slammed the region on January 5. By that third storm, most locals were on a first-name basis with their snow shovels—and not on good terms. Together, these back-to-back systems buried the Cuchara Valley under more than 42 inches of snow, leaving almost no window for meaningful plowing or recovery between storms. (18)  

2010 — March 25 (50 inches). The spring storm of 2010 may have started modestly, delivering “only” about 26 inches of snow, but its heavy, moisture-laden flakes proved far more destructive than expected. Power lines sagged and snapped, trees splintered under the weight, and many residents suddenly found themselves without electricity. That’s a spring storm in the mountains—just when you’re dreaming of sunshine, it taps you on the shoulder with another foot of snow.

Cuchara recorded some of the highest snowfall totals in the entire state—26 inches on March 25 alone—but the accumulation didn’t stop there. Within a week, totals climbed to an impressive 50 inches. (19) A striking photo of snow piled outside the Cuchara Chapel even caught the attention of The Pueblo Chieftain, capturing the storm’s dramatic impact on the community.

2024 — November 5–9 (60 inches). In early November 2024, winter arrived with startling force. Over just 72 hours, Cuchara was buried under 60 inches of snow—an extraordinary early-season total that transformed the valley overnight. It was only early November, but winter showed up like an overeager party guest—three hours early and carrying 60 inches of attitude. Official measurements taken just three miles from town confirmed the full 60-inch accumulation. (20)  

The storm’s reach was felt statewide. More than 75,000 homes across Colorado lost power, major highways were shut down, and Cuchara’s ski hill was inundated with deep, unstable snow. The rapid loading created significant avalanche danger, a well-known hazard in this terrain during intense storms. (21)  

Which One Do You Think Was the Most Epic?

Now it’s your turn. Click the link below to cast your vote for the most epic snowstorm in Pinehaven history.  Think of it as March Madness, but for blizzards—minus the basketballs and with a lot more shoveling.(22)

Cast Your Vote

After you vote, come back to see the live results below. Bragging rights for the biggest storm are very much on the line. If you have any photos from a Cuchara snowstorm, feel free to upload them while taking the survey. Your images will be added to the Cabin in the Pines photo album.

Live Survey Results Below

The latest survey results will appear automatically below each time someone completes the survey and clicks the “DONE” button. To see all responses, click inside the Survey Monkey window and then use your mouse to scroll up or down. 

 

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Footnotes

Parenthetical numbers in the text (e.g., 5) correspond to the sequentially numbered citations listed below.

1.  The statistical data from thes reports were reported by the following four groups 1) National Weather Service (NWS) — “official NWS observations” These are data collected at official NWS weather stations, sometimes automated (e.g. airport weather stations or other standard observing sites). The data include snow, temperature, precipitation, etc. This network provides core, standardized, continuous observations. National Weather Service+2NCEI+2 2) NWS Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) — “NWS COOP observations” COOP is a long-standing volunteer network of thousands of observers nationwide who record daily weather data (e.g. snowfall, precipitation totals, snow depth, temps) on a regular schedule. These observers may live on farms, in urban/suburban areas, national parks, mountaintops, etc. National Weather Service+2Wikipedia+2 The COOP network was formally established in 1890, though many stations predate that. National Weather Service+1. COOP observers typically record daily summaries (not continuous real-time), often around the same time each day (e.g. morning), then report electronically or by phone. National Weather Service+1. Because of its dense and geographically widespread volunteer stations, COOP data are a backbone of climate and precipitation records across the U.S. NCEI+1 3) CoCoRaHS observations — community-based volunteer precipitation network. CoCoRaHS is a nonprofit, citizen-science volunteer network where individuals (of any age/background) can report precipitation (rain, hail, snow) using standardized low-cost tools (rain gauges / snow gauges). National Weather Service+2Wikipedia+2.  Reports — including snowfall and snow depth — are submitted via the CoCoRaHS website/app. National Weather Service+1. The main goal is to “fill in the gaps” between official weather stations, providing a more detailed, finer-scale picture of precipitation across communities. National Weather Service+1. CoCoRaHS data are used by many entities — including the NWS — for flood forecasting, precipitation mapping, climate monitoring, hydrology, and more. CoCoRaHS+1. 4.) “NWS trained spotter reports” — spotters/observers outside formal stations. This refers to reports from volunteers trained by the NWS (or NWS-affiliated programs) — often part of spotting networks like SKYWARN. These spotters may report snow amounts, hazardous conditions (blowing/drifting snow), or other significant ground truths especially where automated or official stations may not capture localized conditions. National Weather Service+2Wikipedia+2. Spotters may include ordinary citizens, amateur radio operators, first-responders, or others trained to report severe/local weather conditions to the NWS. Wikipedia+1. Their reports help the NWS verify and augment observational data — particularly in remote or under-sampled areas. 

  

2.  Megan Verlee, “A Century Ago, Colorado’s Front Range Was Paralyzed by Record Snowfall,” Colorado Public Radio, November 29, 2013, https://www.cpr.org/2013/11/29/a-century-ago-colorados-front-range-was-paralyzed-by-record-snowfall/

  

3.  Western Regional Climate Center. “co4870.” Accessed December 10, 2025. https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliRECt.pl?co4870

  

4.  Megan Verlee, “110 Years Ago: Looking Back at the Great Colorado Snowstorm of 1913,” ThorntonWeather.com, December 7, 2023, https://www.thorntonweather.com/blog/weather-history/100-years-ago-looking-back-at-the-great-colorado-snowstorm-of-1913/.

  

5.  Staff Writer, “A Century of Storms,” The Pueblo Chieftain, January 30, 2000, 11:01 p.m. MT, https://www.chieftain.com/story/news/2000/01/31/a-century-storms/8705405007/.

  

6.  Thornton Weather, “November 4 to November 10 – This Week in Denver Weather History,” ThorntonWeather.com, November 4, 2012, https://www.thorntonweather.com/blog/weather-history/november-4-to-november-10-this-week-in-denver-weather-history/

  

7.  “This Week in History, for May 20, 2021,” The World Journal, https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/this-week-in-history-for-may-20-2021/

  

8.  History Detective: The weather is snow joke,” The World Journal, https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/history-detective-the-weather-is-snow-joke/

  

9.  Rocky Mountain News, April 1973, via Colorado Historic Newspapers, https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/

  

10. Rocky Mountain News, April 1973, via Colorado Historic Newspapers, https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/

  

11.  This Week in History for January 12, 2023,” The World Journal, https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/this-week-in-history-for-january-12-2023/

  

12. Memories of Colorado’s Historic Blizzards,” Colorado Virtual Library, https://www.coloradovirtuallibrary.org/resource-sharing/state-pubs-blog/memories-colorado-historic-blizzards/

  

13.  Huerfano County Still Digging Out,” Pueblo Chieftain, December 10, 1997. 

  

14.  “Major Highways Reopen After Storm in S. Colorado,” Deseret News, November 30, 1997, https://www.deseret.com/1997/11/30/19348399/major-highways-reopen-after-storm-in-s-colorado/.

  

15.  “Huerfano County Still Digging Out,” Pueblo Chieftain, December 10, 1997, https://www.chieftain.com/story/special/1997/12/10/huerfano-county-still-digging-out/8642670007/

  

16.  Rob Carrigan, “Winter forecast from an informed, rank amateur,” Restless Native (blog), August 19, 2020, https://coloradorestlessnative.blogspot.com/2020/08/winter-forecast-from-informed-rank.html

  

17.  National Centers for Environmental Information, “Storm Events Database – Event Details, id 5724189,” accessed December 10, 2025, https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5724189

  

18.  National Aeronautics and Space Administration, “Colorado Snow,” NASA Earth Observatory, July 7, 2007, https://www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/7292/colorado-snow.

  

19.  Jeff Tucker, “Winter blast howls through region,” Pueblo Chieftain, March 25, 2010, https://www.chieftain.com/story/news/2010/03/25/winter-blast-howls-through-region/8566120007/. 

  

20.  National Weather Service, “November 5th-9th 2024 Storm Total Precipitation Summary,” Weather.gov, November 9, 2024, accessed December 9, 2025, https://www.weather.gov/pub/November2024WinterStorm 

  

21.  Colorado Geological Survey, IS-56: Avalanche Hazards on Colorado Highways (Denver: Colorado Geological Survey, [publication date if given]), https://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/IS-56.pdf

22. Author’s note: In preparing this article, the author used AI-assisted tools for research support, proofreading, fact-checking, and stylistic refinement. The narrative, analysis, and historical interpretations are the author’s own, and responsibility for accuracy rests solely with the author.  The blog’s research methodology statement is available at:

https://cabininthepinescuchara.blogspot.com/2019/03/methodology-sources-and-use-of-research.html