2013-14 Ski Season Progress Report as of January 15, 2014

There was a widespread western storm at the start of October, but that snow is gone. Snow from a late October storm of 1+ foot in some of the West probably persists in well preserved locations or those with good November snow. November snowfall was below average in the western coastal regions but well above average at many areas in the Rockies. Most western areas got 1-2 feet in early December, but the middle weeks were more erratic. The western coastal regions continued to be shortchanged through the holidays, when storms flowed through Canada, Montana and northern Colorado. During the second week the storm track moved far enough south to bring the first big dumps to the Pacific Northwest, continuing on to the Northern Rockies, Utah and most of Colorado. The entire West is predicted dry for the next week. Snow totals exclude October for most areas, though for some whose online reporting starts at area opening it's not possible to separate it out.

California: Minimal snow was left from 2 October storms after the first 3 dry weeks in November. There was less than one foot of snow in late November, about a foot in early December and up to 2 feet of light snow mid-month and a few inches before Christmas. The drought has continued through the first half of January with no relief in sight. Currently less than a quarter of terrain is open, nearly all on snowmaking with variable coverage and surfaces. The Sierra should be avoided until there is a substantial dump to restore surfaces and open more terrain. Conditions are so bad that skiers scheduled in the next few weeks should bail out and go somewhere else, even with cancellation penalties. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Alpine Meadows

36

26%

18%

Squaw 8,000

36

20%

11%

Northstar

38

31%

15%

Mt. Rose

35

25%

22%

Heavenly

49

36%

12%

Kirkwood

56

29%

9%

Mammoth

35

24%

17%

Southern Cal

12

30%

0-50%

Arizona Snowbowl

59

62%

90%

Pacific Northwest: The early storm caused Crystal and Stevens to open for one day each in early October. November snowfall was below average and there was about 2 feet in early December. There was average only a foot the rest of the month, so the region had a poor holiday season. Conditions have greatly improved with 4+ feet in the past week, thouigh surfaces can be variable with a fluctuating rain/snow line. Base depths are now 4-6 feet.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Whistler

120

60%

98%

Crystal Mt.

127

67%

88%

Stevens Pass

164

74%

98%

Mt. Bachelor

99

56%

34%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: November snow was well above average in most of this region. The Okanagan and Kootenay areas had over 4 feet in December and most had excellent holiday skiing. Base depths are 6+ feet at the upper elevations at Revelstoke, Fernie and Whitewater. Silver Star and Sun Peaks are 100% open with 4-5 foot bases. Farther east was sketchier through most of December, with bases 3 feet or less, but conditions improved with 2+ feet of snow in late December. Most areas are having an excellent January with 4 feet of new snow so far.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Big White

155

108%

91%

Lake Louise

120

149%

77%

Sunshine

155

136%

86%

Revelstoke

202

114%

98%

Kicking Horse

133

107%

89%

Whitewater

196

108%

96%

Red Mt.

95

75%

89%

Fernie

185

107%

100%

Castle Mt.

110

90%

97%

U. S. Northern Rockies:Targhee opened 3/4 of terrain the weekend before Thanksgiving and Whitefish shared the early storms in Canada. Elsewhere in the region November was about average. December snow ranged from 6 feet in much of Montana to only 2.5 feet at most Idaho areas. Base depths were 5 feet at Whitefish, Bridger and Targhee for the best holiday skiing. First half of January snow has been 4 feet in Montana and Wyoming and 3 feet in Idaho.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Grand Targhee

197

93%

100%

Jackson Hole

163

94%

98%

Whitefish

168

112%

100%

Bridger

167

132%

100%

Schweitzer

106

82%

100%

Brundage

83

58%

98%

Sun Valley

43.5

48%

57%

Utah: The Wasatch got the early October storm but it melted out. November snowfall was half of normal, and first half of December storms were 2-3 feet. A mid-December storm of almost 2 feet brought Cottonwood Canyon base depths close to 4 feet. Advanced skiing was limited elsewhere during the holidays with base depths no more than 3 feet. Conditions are now greatly improved with 3-4 feet during the first half of January.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Alta

157

70%

95%

Snowbird

158

85%

85%

Brighton/Solitude

130

60%

85%

Park City group

125

101%

91%

Snowbasin

116

88%

84%

Brian Head

62

48%

76%

Northern and Central Colorado: A-Basin and Loveland opened their first snowmaking runs on October 13 and 14. Early snowfall was above average and December slightly below average. Steamboat and Winter Park have had most terrain open since mid-December, while most other areas passed the half open mark just before Christmas. A-Basin is 59% open. Most base depths are in the 4+ foot range after an excellent first half of January with 3-5 feet of snow. Some areas are reporting snow totals including early October snow that I exclude below.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Beaver Creek

129

91%

96%

Breckenridge

171

122%

79%

Copper Mt.

136

114%

80%

Keystone

85

88%

75%

Loveland

148

109%

71%

Steamboat

190

118%

100%

Vail

167

109%

86%

Winter Park

163.5

110%

95%

Southern and Western Colorado: Early October snow melted out, but late October snow was built upon in November. A strong southern storm came through during the week before Thanksgiving, followed by another 2 feet in early December and up to a foot mid-December, so base depths are well above average at 3.5 feet, and 5.5 feet at Wolf Creek. Taos had its best opening since 1996-97, but has had only 6 inches in the past month with other southern areas getting somewhat more. Aspen and Crested Butte have done better, with 3 feet of snow in the first half of January.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Gothic Snow Lab

135

93%

N/A

Aspen/Snowmass

135

134%

96%

Crested Butte

131

130%

61%

Telluride

117

108%

98%

Durango

113

107%

100%

Wolf Creek

167

109%

100%

Taos

96

88%

83%

Northeast: Killington and Sunday River opened at the end of October on snowmaking. November and early December were above average for snowmaking though mostly below average for snowfall. There were 2-3 feet of snow mid-December but it rained at least to the Canadian border the weekend before Christmas. The holiday week was been cold with up to a foot of snow, with another foot in early January. However trail counts have been reduced by a severe rain/freeze. Percents open: Okemo 68%, Stratton 81%, Hunter 69%, Sunday River 62%, Sugarloaf 32%, Tremblant 90%, Ste. Anne 45%

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Jay Peak (mid)

118

86%

41%

Stowe

98

81%

50%

Sugarbush

83

72%

53%

Killington

67

63%

46%

Cannon Mt.

59

91%

52%

Whiteface

55

67%

52%

Le Massif

67

66%

58%

Directory of Ski Report Links

All content herein copyright © 1996-2014 Bestsnow.net
All Rights Reserved.
No copies or reproductions may be made in whole or in part without express permission by Tony Crocker.
Prices for commercial users will be determined based upon intended use and distribution.