The I-70 corridor of Colorado had near record snowfall in the first half of November. After a dry month over most of the West, major storms hit the West Coast last week and spread into much of the Rockies reduced intensity.
California: After 2-4 feet of snow in early November the Sierra received no snow at all for a month. Since last weekend the Sierra has been in one of its epic storm cycles, with 5-6 feet new snow early last week, another 2 feet yesterday, with more storms expected next week. Season snowfall is now 112 inches at Mammoth (126% of normal), 194 at the top of Kirkwood and 134 at Squaw 8,200 (122% of normal) and 56 at the base. Expect full operation throughout the Sierra on base depths of 4-10 feet subject to periodic weather and avalanche control restrictions. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.
RSN December Snow: Northstar 89, Heavenly 79.
Pacific Northwest: Normally the most reliable region by early December, the Northwest had its first significant storm just last week. Only Mt. Baker is in full operation. Whistler, Mt. Bachelor and the Mt. Hood areas are about 40% open with 4 feet of coverage at altitude. Northwest skiing is still limited or closed at lower elevations.
RSN December Snow:Whistler 44, Mt. Bachelor 35.
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: This region had a very poor start and is just now starting to accumulate a snow base. Lake Louise (31 inches snowfall, 41% of normal) and Sun Peaks have some snowmaking runs. Sunshine has the most natural snow terrain, and it's about 55%. Red and Fernie have 3-4 feet of snow in their alpine regions but have been plagued by rain at their base elevations.
RSN December Snow: Sunshine 17.
U. S. Northern Rockies: Jackson has had 100 inches of snow (91% of normal), including over a foot in the past week and is 65% open. Targhee is in full operation on 15-51 inches. Montana areas are only about 15% open with similar dry weather to western Canada. Big Mountain's 47 inches snow is only 51% of normal. Schweitzer is just opening now on last week's new snow from the Northwest. Sun Valley has had 51 inches snowfall, 93% of normal.
RSN December Snow: Big Sky 12, Targhee 20.
Utah: Alta has had 97 inches of snow since November 1 (70% of normal), after 2 feet in October. All lifts are open on a 48-inch base after 2+ feet new this week. The Cottonwood Canyon areas will be mostly open this weekend, but only about 40% of terrain will be open at the Park City areas, where base depths are only 2-3 feet.
RSN December Snow: Snowbird 27, Park City 20.
Northern and Central Colorado: After a few lean early seasons this region had near record snowfall in November. That snow got chewed up over the past month but was refreshed by over a foot new this past week. Still leading the region is Vail, with 145 inches snowfall (140% of normal) and 98% of its 5,100 acres open since before Thanksgiving. Winter Park has had 130 inches (125% of normal), Breckenridge 108 (142% of normal) and Steamboat 119 (113% of normal) and all are now 80+% open. Loveland is in full operation on a 40-inch base and Copper and Keystone 85%. Most of these areas have had more terrain open since Thanksgiving than they did at Christmas 3 of the past 4 years.
RSN December Snow: A-Basin 21, Copper 16, Keystone 16.
Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek can claim another year as North America's early season leader. It reached full operation as of November 9 and currently has a 40-54 inch base. It had 6 feet of snow in October and another 91 inches (95% of normal) since November 1. Elsewhere in the region Aspen and Taos are 80+% open, though the current base depth is 3-4 feet and a couple of feet more are needed in order to keep expert terrain covered. Crested Butte is 45% open (no North Face) and Durango and Telluride are about 2/3 open after getting over a foot new this week.
RSN December Snow: Aspen 11, Crested Butte 20, Durango 31, Telluride 20, Taos 12.
Northeast: Northern New England had a nice run of cold weather at the start of November plus over a foot of natural snow. As a result Killington was 30% open and Okemo 15% November 9, likely records for that early. After a one week thaw melted out half of that terrain, cold and snowy weather over the next month brought the major Vermont areas to 80+% open. Jay's season snowfall is 93 inches. Sunday River and Sugarloaf are 60+% open. Rain and variable weather have degraded surface conditions over the past week but have have not yet reduced the number of open runs. I strongly recommend checking First Tracks Online Ski Magazine No-Bull Ski Reports for up to date information in this region, where both weather and surface conditions can change so rapidly.
RSN December Snow: Stowe 30, Killington 35, Stratton 30, Sugarloaf 3.