2009-10 Ski Season Progress Report as of November 21, 2009

October was colder and snowier than average, so a few areas opened earlier than normal. In November the big news is the record breaking snow at Whistler. In the Pacific Northwest and much of western Canada snowfall has been at least twice normal and many areas have quite a bit of terrain open already. Elsewhere most areas have had about half normal November snow, so skiing at open areas is still <10% of runs on snowmaking. At some of the higher areas a natural base remains from October, so normal snow over the next month would result in adequate cover for the holidays.

California: The Sierra had a major mid-October storm but with average snow level of 10,000 feet. Thus snow totals of 39 at Mammoth, 23 at Kirkwood but only 11 at Squaw 8,000 reflect elevation. Mammoth opened Oct. 16-18, then closed in warm weather until a snowmaking reopening of about 5% of terrain on Nov. 7. Boreal, Mt. High and Bear Mt. have opened limited snowmaking runs. The Sierra has had less than a foot of snow so far in November, so odds of a good Christmas are somewhat reduced, particularly at lower elevations. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: This region has the best snow odds in early season, but the start to this season has been truly spectacular. Whistler has shattered its November snow record with 196 inches so far. Only 15% is open now due to inability to access and control the alpine, but with a 96 inch base full operation should be no problem once the snow is stabilized. Mt. Baker is in full operation on a 77-84 inch base. Stevens is 41% open with 87 inches snowfall, Crystal is 79% open with 110 inches snowfall, Hood Meadows is 66% open with 92 inches snowfall, and Mt. Bachelor is 20% open with 82 inches snowfall.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Western Canada is also off to a fast start. Sunshine's 92 inches is approaching its November record and it is 62% open. Lake Louise had had 44 inches and is 49% open. Sun Peaks has a 32 inch base and is 49% open. Other impressive snow totals for areas not yet open: Whitewater 86 inches, Revelstoke 81.5, Fernie 79.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Early snow totals are close to average, but no one is open: Targhee 63 inches, Jackson 30, Sun Valley 44. The big Northwest storms have mostly tracked into Canada so far.

Utah: The Cottonwood Canyons had about 40 inches of October snow, but only about a foot so far in November. The first lift served skiing was on snowmaking at Solitude Nov. 7 and Brighton Nov. 14. Snowbird, Park City and Brian Head are also open now, but also on snowmaking and typically no more than 5% of runs. Some natural base remains from October above 9,000 feet, so the Cottonwood areas rate to be OK by Christmas with normal snow going forward.

Northern and Central Colorado: Loveland opened its first snowmaking run Oct. 6. Loveland is currently 13% open and A-Basin 6%. Copper, Breck and Keystone are 5-6% open on snowmaking, and Vail and Winter Park 2%. There was about 2 feet of snow in October but November snow totals are lagging: Loveland 8.5, Copper 11, Breckenridge 13, Vail 18, Winter Park 12.

Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek opened Oct. 31 and has been in full operation after 30 inches mid-November 78 total. Base depths are 40-43 inches. The Gothic Snow Lab between Aspen and Crested Butte had 42.5 inches of October snow and 24.5 so far in November. Other November snow totals: Telluride 26, Taos 18.

Northeast: Cold October weather allowed Sunday River to open on snowmaking Oct. 16. Killington opened Oct. 31 with 6 inches natural snow so far. Le Massif has had 23 inches. The East has had a very warm November, so only Killington and Sunday River are 3-4% open.

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