The Rocky Mountains receive high snowfall amounts in winter due to their high altitude and cold air.

The Rocky Mountains experience high snowfall in winter because of their high altitude and cold air. At higher elevations, the temperatures are cooler, which allows moisture to condense and fall as snow rather than rain. When moisture-laden air is forced upwards by the mountains, it cools and results in precipitation, which is typically snow at these altitudes. This process, called orographic lift, is a key factor in the heavy snowfall the Rockies receive. The combination of cold temperatures and mountain geography makes the region a major recipient of winter snowstorms, especially in the higher elevations.