Posted Saturday, February 4, 2012 --- 7:10 a.m.

DENVER (AP) — A winter storm warning remains in effect for a broad swath of the western and central plains and there are scattered blizzard warnings after a fierce storm pounded Colorado and parts of neighboring states.

Hundreds of miles of highways were closed and icy snow made driving difficult as far south as New Mexico.

Forecasters expect the snow to taper off today as the storm moves east.

The most powerful storm of the winter season created whiteout conditions on the eastern plains and canceled more than 600 flights in Denver.

Snow piled up to 6 feet on some Rocky Mountain foothills — and it was a welcome boost to several ski resorts that have suffered below-average snowfall this season. But while Echo Mountain and other resorts close to Denver celebrated up to 40 inches of powder, the storm only dusted larger resorts, like Vail.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.