2014-15 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 13, 2014

In most ski regions this was a warmer and drier than normal October and early November. However, there was substantial snowfall in the northern and central Rockies in the rest of November to put the season on a normal track in many regions. Open terrain for Thanksgiving was mostly on snowmaking but with some natural base at many areas. The first half of December has been mostly dry in the Rockies so only a few western areas are now above average in season snowfall.

California: The first Sierra winter storm hit November 1-2. Tahoe ski areas got 3-8 inches. The storm track was centered farther south so Mammoth got 12 inches. Unfortunately the next week was record warm, and the next storm missed Mammoth and was mostly rain at Tahoe. There have been two storms so far in December, both in the 1-2 foot range with a similar storm expected next week. Snowfall has been concentrated near the Sierra Crest west of Lake Tahoe, with lesser amounts at the resorts near and east of the lake. The latter resorts should probably be avoided until January. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Squaw 8,000

71

79%

18%

Northstar

18

30%

21%

Mt. Rose

48

71%

56%

Sierra-at-Tahoe

34

47%

37%

Heavenly

20

30%

3%

Mammoth

48.5

69%

35%

Southern Cal

10

64%

0-10%

Pacific Northwest: Whistler and Mt. Bachelor have excellent bases at high elevation. Bachelor's Summit opened today and the Whistler alpine lifts are also open. Other Northwest areas remain closed due to excessive rain and not enough snow at low elevation.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Whistler

82

74%

40%

Crystal Mt.

30

31%

Closed

Stevens Pass

47

40%

Closed

Mt. Bachelor

76

80%

43%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: There is quite a bit of terrain open in this region though most base depths are in the 2-3 foot range. Silver Star is 60% open and Sun Peaks is 42% open. Revelstoke looks like the standout with a 4 foot base in full operation.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Big White

44

57%

41%

Lake Louise

50

107%

87%

Sunshine

67

104%

70%

Revelstoke

99

101%

100%

Kicking Horse

81

113%

61%

Whitewater

80

86%

13%

Red Mt.

56

86%

Closed

Fernie

65

73%

28%

Castle Mt.

48

76%

Closed

U. S. Northern Rockies: There were several storms in November in Wyoming and Montana. there has not been a lot of December snow except for Sun Valley getting snow from the south. Big Sky is 28% open. Idaho skiing aside from Sun Valley and high altitude Pomerelle is limited. The Tetons have the same 3-4 foot base as at the end of November, above average then but below average now.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Grand Targhee

91

85%

77%

Jackson Hole

80

89%

77%

Schweitzer

32

48%

7%

Sun Valley

49

105%

45%

Utah: The season started dry but the Cottonwood areas got a mid-November 3 foot dump. Other areas did not get so much and are less than 10% open mostly on snowmaking. Only Alta is close to full operation now. The areas outside the Cottonwoods should be avoided until after the holidays.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Alta

73

51%

95%

Snowbird

74

68%

31%

Brighton/Solitude

58

50%

55%

Park City group

34

51%

9%

Snowbasin

30

42%

8%

Brian Head

32

48%

4%

Northern and Central Colorado: A-Basin opened one snowmaking run on October 17 and is now 31% open. Most of was stormy in this region, so much more terrain than usual was open for Thanksgiving. However, there has been little snow the first half of December (though about half a foot is likely this weekend), so base depths are in the 2 foot range. This means that advanced terrain will be limited over the holidays unless there is more snow.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Beaver Creek

73

93%

45%

Breckenridge

89

128%

49%

Copper Mt.

80

119%

52%

Keystone

66

121%

67%

Loveland

70

91%

19%

Steamboat

72.5

82%

30%

Vail

78

90%

82%

Winter Park

73.5

83%

44%

Southern and Western Colorado: November snowfall was above average north but below average south. Open terrain lags the Front Range areas, except at Wolf Creek, where the base is a thin 18-23 inches. Taos is 13% open. Base depths in the 2 foot range mean that advanced terrain will be limted over the holidays unless there is more snow. Fortunately about a foot is predicted this weekend.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Aspen/Snowmass

54

99%

41%

Gothic Snow Lab

66.5

85%

N/A

Crested Butte

55

101%

33%

Telluride

65

108%

17%

Durango

18

31%

11%

Wolf Creek

46

54%

70%

Northeast: October was too warm for any areas to open by the end of the month. November was good for snowmaking but there has been intermittent rain along with some snow late in the month. The first half of December has been colder with 2-3 feet of snow, so more terrain than usual is open. Percents open: Okemo 87%, Stratton 68%, Hunter 64%, Sugarloaf 66%, Sunday River 41%, Tremblant 34%, Mt. St. Anne 41%.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Jay Peak (mid)

74

123%

74%

Stowe

81

113%

72%

Sugarbush

70

126%

66%

Killington

54

106%

92%

Cannon Mt.

36

129%

54%

Whiteface

53

118%

51%

Le Massif

70

141%

50%

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