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 ensuing 2 weeks were dry over the entire West, with new storms just hitting now at the end of the month. 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, 1+ foot of light snow mid-month
and a few inches before Christmas. The drought continued 4 more weeks with the first January snow on the 29th. There
have been 3-10 inches so far, but the storm should total 2 feet at upper elevations. Currently less than a quarter of terrain
is open, nearly all on snowmaking. The current storm will improve surfaces but open only a modest amount of terrain. Skiing
is still so limited 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 |
41 |
24% |
20% |
|
Squaw 8,000 |
42 |
19% |
9% |
|
Northstar |
43.5 |
28% |
20% |
|
Mt. Rose |
48 |
28% |
30% |
|
Heavenly |
57 |
33% |
14% |
|
Kirkwood |
66.5 |
28% |
9% |
|
Mammoth |
41 |
23% |
17% |
|
Southern Cal |
12 |
22% |
0-50% |
|
Arizona Snowbowl |
59 |
49% |
67% |
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. A solid base was finally established with 4+ feet during the second week of January, thouigh surfaces were
variable with a fluctuating rain/snow line. Base depths are now 3-6 feet with a few inches new this week.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Whistler |
122 |
51% |
98% |
|
Crystal Mt. |
127 |
59% |
88% |
|
Stevens Pass |
175 |
65% |
94% |
|
Mt. Bachelor |
106 |
50% |
68% |
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
got 4 feet of snow in the first half of January, but only a few inches during the second half.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Big White |
163 |
99% |
100% |
|
Lake Louise |
129 |
133% |
77% |
|
Sunshine |
163 |
119% |
92% |
|
Revelstoke |
206.5 |
98% |
100% |
|
Kicking Horse |
137 |
92% |
100% |
|
Whitewater |
200 |
90% |
96% |
|
Red Mt. |
101 |
65% |
82% |
|
Fernie |
189 |
90% |
100% |
|
Castle Mt. |
123 |
83% |
95% |
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 was 4 feet in Montana and Wyoming and 3 feet in Idaho. Second half of January snow has been less than a foot.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Grand Targhee |
206 |
79% |
100% |
|
Jackson Hole |
177 |
82% |
97% |
|
Whitefish |
173 |
95% |
100% |
|
Bridger |
182 |
118% |
100% |
|
Schweitzer |
113 |
72% |
100% |
|
Brundage |
90 |
51% |
98% |
|
Sun Valley |
48.5 |
43% |
69% |
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 greatly improved with 3-4 feet during the first half of January. The current storm has dropped about a foot,
with just a few inches more expected.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Alta |
172 |
63% |
95% |
|
Snowbird |
171 |
76% |
93% |
|
Brighton/Solitude |
139 |
54% |
92% |
|
Park City group |
131 |
87% |
92% |
|
Snowbasin |
126 |
79% |
100% |
|
Brian Head |
51 |
33% |
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 had most terrain open
in mid-December, while most other areas passed the half open mark just before Christmas. A-Basin is 90% open. Most base depths
were in the 4+ foot range after an excellent first half of January with 3-5 feet of snow. There has been up to a foot during the
second half of January and the current storm is expected to drop 2 feet of snow in most of this region by this weekend. 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 |
136 |
80% |
100% |
|
Breckenridge |
186 |
106% |
100% |
|
Copper Mt. |
149 |
104% |
87% |
|
Keystone |
88 |
75% |
97% |
|
Loveland |
169 |
109% |
71% |
|
Steamboat |
202 |
104% |
100% |
|
Vail |
172 |
93% |
100% |
|
Winter Park |
187 |
104% |
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 8 inches in the past month and a half 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. The current storm is expected to total 2 feet, with somewhat more in the north
than the south.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Gothic Snow Lab |
142 |
80% |
N/A |
|
Aspen/Snowmass |
141 |
115% |
96% |
|
Crested Butte |
136 |
111% |
90% |
|
Telluride |
117 |
89% |
99% |
|
Durango |
114 |
88% |
98% |
|
Wolf Creek |
173 |
94% |
100% |
|
Taos |
98 |
75% |
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. Trail counts were then reduced by
a severe rain/freeze. Conditions have improved in the second half of January with 1-2 feet of snow and consistent
cold temperatures.
Percents open: Okemo 80%, Stratton 88%, Hunter 76%, Sunday River 79%, Sugarloaf 50%, Tremblant 97%, Ste. Anne 100%
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Jay Peak (mid) |
145 |
84% |
92% |
|
Stowe |
120 |
81% |
84% |
|
Sugarbush |
97 |
68% |
70% |
|
Killington |
87 |
66% |
70% |
|
Cannon Mt. |
75 |
92% |
71% |
|
Whiteface |
68 |
69% |
78% |
|
Le Massif |
95 |
79% |
87% |
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