Mauna Kea snow report
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is a ski resort located in Hawaii with a focus on advanced and expert level skiing. The resort boasts the steepest vertical drop in the world at 3,000 feet, and the best trails are the black diamond runs, such as the aptly named "The Big Kahuna." Interestingly, Mauna Kea is also a dormant volcano and the resort is located on the slopes of it. For beginner skiers, the suggestion would be to stick to the easier green runs such as "Easy Street." As for après ski, the Manta Ray Bar & Grill is a popular choice, offering cocktails and stunning ocean views.
Terrain mix: Mauna Kea Ski Resort is located on the island of Hawaii, specifically on the slopes of Mauna Kea, which is a dormant volcano and the highest peak in the state. The mountain range that Mauna Kea is a part of is the Mauna Kea Volcano, which is part of the larger Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain.
The ski resort itself is known for its unique terrain and often has snow during the winter months, making it a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. The mountain aspects of Mauna Kea Ski Resort include steep slopes, deep powder, and challenging terrain, making it a great spot for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Additionally, the resort offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the Pacific Ocean and neighboring volcanoes.
Plan your day down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the snow column the morning of a storm to know when to call in sick.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & snow
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- start of next storm cycle, end of last one.
Beyond the slopes
Other ski areas, basecamp options, alpine fishing, and scenic stops near Mauna Kea -- worth knowing whether you're in for a day, a long weekend, or a season pass.
Mountain & avalanche safety
- Know before you go
- Check today's avalanche bulletin from the regional avalanche center before any off-piste / side-country / backcountry travel. Conditions can shift dramatically between morning and afternoon on storm days.
- Carry the gear, know how to use it
- Beacon, shovel, probe. Practice companion rescue on a calm day, not during a real burial.
- Mind the weather window
- Heavy snow + wind builds wind slabs at ridgelines. The day after a storm is often the riskiest in the backcountry, even if the resort itself is open.
- Respect closed terrain
- Ropes are there for a reason. Even in-bounds, ducking a closure can trigger a slide that catches you and others below.
Track Mauna Kea in the Snoflo app
Save this resort as a favorite, set push alerts when snowfall crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Mauna Kea reports 6″ new"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment the SNOTEL station crosses.
About Mauna Kea
Where does the snow data for Mauna Kea come from?
Snowpack, SWE, 24-hour snowfall, and air temperature come from the nearest USDA NRCS SNOTEL station. Forecast comes from the National Weather Service / yr.no feed that Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the snow report updated?
Snowpack and SNOTEL data are updated continuously by NRCS (typically hourly). The 15-day weather forecast is refreshed throughout the day. Snoflo caches and renders the most recent observation -- look for the "as of" timestamp on the snowpack hero.
What's the elevation at Mauna Kea?
See the Resort Metrics panel above for base / summit / vertical drop. The summit elevation drives snowpack accumulation -- higher summits hold snow longer through spring.
How is "% of normal" calculated?
Today's snowpack is compared to the average snowpack on this calendar day across every recorded year at the nearest SNOTEL. 100% means right on average; 130% is a big year; 60% is thin.
What ski resorts are near Mauna Kea?
See the Other Ski Areas pill grid at the bottom of the page for resorts within driving distance. The sister Other Ski Areas card in the Plan-a-longer-trip grid above shows the closest few.
Can I get alerts when fresh snow hits?
Yes -- snow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this resort, set a snowfall threshold (e.g. "alert me when 6+ inches"), and you'll get a push the moment the SNOTEL crosses.
Other resorts near here
Snoflo-tracked ski areas within driving distance of Mauna Kea.