Conditions are very good through most of the West. There are no destination resorts which should be avoided for lack of snow, though spring has arrived earlier than usual in most areas south of Oregon and Wyoming. In March even more than February, snow preservation rather than coverage is the key issue. Snow preservation is very predictable by the altitude and exposure characteristics of each area, as outlined in my regional detail tables. This information, combined with current snow reports to determine recent snowfall, should give an educated assessment of current conditions. Areas facing direct sun may be presumed to have spring conditions in March unless there is fresh snow. In general, ski area reports are more candid regarding coverage and open terrain than surface conditions.

California: The Sierra Nevada received only two small storms of less than one foot each in February and minimal snow so far in March. Base depths are still high, particularly at the higher elevations. Skiing will be spring conditions with the exception of the highest and steepest northern exposures at Mammoth and possibly Kirkwood. See the California regional table for snow preservation tendencies. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth. Arizona has spring conditions on a still adequate base from January's storms.

Pacific Northwest: These areas now have deep base depths of 150 to 200+ inches, which will guarantee good spring / summer skiing at Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Hood and Blackcomb. Most areas have received another 5-9 feet of snow so far this month, and Mt. Hood Meadows' season to date snowfall total of 524 inches is 148% of normal. The recent storm track seems to have centered on Washington state. Unfortunately, the last couple of days have been warm enough to turn the storm to rain not only in the Cascades, but as far inland as Schweitzer and Fernie. There has been 2 feet of new snow at Whistler, however. Check Cascade Ski Report Current Conditions or Northwest Ski Report First-Hand Reports for up to date information, as surface conditions can be variable, particularly at lower elevations. See the Pacific Northwest regional table for snow preservation tendencies.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: The Banff, Okanagan and Kootenay areas all received 1-3 feet of snow during the first week of March, with continuing light snowfalls since from the Pacific Northwest storms. See the Interior Canada regional table for snow preservation tendencies.

U. S. Northern Rockies: This has been the premier ski region of 1996-97. You can live vicariously through some of the Idaho Powder Hound - Skiing - Ski Reports skier submitted reports. Schweitzer, Silver and Big Mountain are on the Pacific Northwest storm track and consequently in good shape on 130+ inch bases. The March northwest storms have continued into the northern Rockies, though not with the intensity of December's. Jackson Hole's season to date snowfall total of 518 inches is 165% of normal and is now the second highest season total in 27 years. Targhee, Bridger, Big Sky and Sun Valley also have much higher than normal base depths. Most of these areas have a much lower fraction of north facing terrain than Utah or Colorado. Therefore, current temperature and snowfall reports should be closely monitored to assess surface conditions, particularly at Jackson, where most of the terrain cannot be groomed. See the Northern Rockies regional table for snow preservation tendencies, which tend to be less than ideal in March with the sunny exposures. However, conditions will remain outstanding if the snowfall continues.

Utah: The Wasatch had a big January with the other months being close to average. Alta's season to date snowfall total of 484 inches is 120% of normal. The above average base depths were further increased by about 2 feet new early in March. After a warm week, there has been another 6 inches or so recently. The Cottonwood canyons have better snow preservation than the lower altitude Utah areas. See the Utah regional table for details.

Northern and Central Colorado: Steamboat has received 350 inches of mid-mountain snow (133% of normal) this season to lead the region. The top of Vail has received 327 (114% of normal). All other areas are also in full operation. See the Northern and Central Colorado regional table for snow preservation tendencies, which are generally good. March snowfall has been light so far, so spring conditions can be expected at Steamboat, Breckenridge and in Vail's back bowls.

Southern and Western Colorado: All areas are in full operation with above average base depths but minimal new snow in March. Snow preservation is uniformly excellent in this region, so only the more sun exposed areas should have spring conditions. See the Southern and Western Colorado regional table for details.

Northeast: Snowfall has been above average so far, but conditions were at their best only from mid-January to mid-February. Since then, there were several periods of rain and thaw. Conditions have improved recently, with up to 3 feet of snow in Maine so far this month. Most areas are now back to full operation, vs. 70-80% after the February thaw and rain. In New England the northern areas have had both more snow and colder temperatures than those farther south. As my report is an overview, I strongly recommend checking Scenes of Vermont Ski Page for up to date information in this region, where surface conditions can change so rapidly. Surface conditions are much more a function of recent weather in the East, as opposed to altitude and exposure in the West.