2006-07 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 22, 2006

In the Northwest and western Canada November snowfall was at or near record levels. Colorado's snowfall started in October and most areas there are headed for an above average Christmas, though not as good as last year. The Northern Rockies and Utah areas between are below average, and consistently high snow areas like Alta and Grand Targhee are in the best shape for the holidays. The Sierra is far behind schedule even after two small storms last week. The first week of December was fairly quiet; during the second week the storm track resumed a similar northwest pattern as in November. The Denver blizzard of Dec. 20-21 with a few exceptions dumped less snow in Colorado ski areas than in Denver.

With more areas posting season snowfall since 2003-04, I am no longer tracking the less reliable numbers from RSN, except in regions where no nearby area has up-to-date information. I am now including season snowfall from some areas italicized from SnoCountry.

California: North Tahoe was brushed by a couple of the November storms and over the past 2 weeks three storms have totalled 3-4 feet. However, the snow has been low in water and most areas are still well under half open with almost no advanced terrain. Percents open: Alpine Meadows 20%, Heavenly 19%, Northstar 24%, Sierra-at-Tahoe 58%, Sugar Bowl 50%. This is the driest start to a Sierra season in 7 years, and advanced terrain is not likely to be skiable before mid-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

94

85%

16%

Kirkwood

53

45%

40%

Mammoth

43

45%

29%

Southern Cal

11

55%

5-45%

Arizona Snowbowl

13

24%

closed

Pacific Northwest: The late October/early November storms rivaled the infamous Tropical Punch of January 2005 for flooding and high snow levels. But for the rest of November temperatures were cold and it dumped record snow. Current base depths are 120-128 inches at Mt. Baker, 91 inches at Whistler and 5-7 feet elsewhere. Mt. Hood Meadows opened fully Dec. 9 after repair of its washed out access road. There was some rain in early December, but 3-6 feet more snow the past two weeks have continued the epic Northwest early season.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Whistler

246

192%

100%

Stevens Pass

161

114%

100%

Crystal Mt.

188

170%

100%

Mt. Bachelor

163

142%

95%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Enough of the Northwest storms reached interior Canada for a near record start. Most areas are 80+% open and several are 100% after another 1-4 feet new snow in December.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Lake Louise

74

136%

93%

Kicking Horse

197

228%

99%

Red Mt.

109

120%

100%

Fernie

126

104%

100%

U. S. Northern Rockies: The early Northwest storms hit northern Idaho hard, but otherwise most of this region has had average or less snow. Particularly behind schedule are Big Sky (only 27% open) and Bridger, which just opened Dec. 22 on a limited basis. Jackson got 3 feet of upper mountain snow so far in December, but the lower mountain has snowmaking dependence or thin cover. As usual Grand Targhee is the exception, maintaining its record of consistency with more snow and more terrain open than nearby areas.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Schweitzer

150

188%

91%

Big Mountain

89

90%

73%

Grand Targhee

140

106%

100%

Jackson Hole

98

86%

64%

Sun Valley

50

88%

62%

Utah: Snowfall has been slightly below average with biggest storms coming in late November. Alta and Brighton have the best cover and current conditions. The Park City group and Snowbasin still have some advanced areas that need more coverage. After 2-4 feet new snow over the last 2 weeks, base depths are over 4 feet in the Cottonwood Canyons and about 3 feet elsewhere. Brian Head got 2+ feet this week to open most runs.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Alta

134

92%

98%

Snowbird

113

90%

93%

Solitude

108

88%

92%

Park City group

82

82%

81%

Snowbasin

74

81%

57%

Brian Head

68

74%

75%

Northern and Central Colorado: These areas had 2-4+ feet of October snow and a normal November of 3-4 feet and 1-2 feet in early December. The Denver blizzard was only as strong at Winter Park and dropped 1 to 1.5 feet elsewhere in the region. This is an above average holiday season with just a few expert runs not open yet.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Beaver Creek

103

106%

92%

Breckenridge

96

121%

86%

Copper Mt.

105

141%

91%

Keystone

102

200%

91%

Loveland

132

147%

90%

Steamboat

123.5

115%

74%

Vail

113

106%

81%

Winter Park

116.8

109%

80%

Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek had 65 inches in October and 69 in November to reach operation first. About 80% of Aspen/Snowmass is open, more than normal for the holidays. Through mid-December regional snowfall was well above average north but well below average south. Then the Denver blizzard originated in southern Colorado and the 2-3 foot dump opened most runs at Durango and Telluride. Some expert terrain like Crested Butte's North Face still need more snow. Arizona and New Mexico areas are still in restricted operation or not yet open. Gothic is between Aspen and Crested Butte and normally gets about 30% more snow.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Gothic

125

139%

N/A

Crested Butte

86

135%

73%

Durango

101

144%

100%

Wolf Creek

186

149%

100%

Taos

64

82%

28%

Northeast: Natural snow in October totalled 21 inches at Jay Peak and 16 inches at Killington (not included in totals below). Unfortunately November was warm so all precipitation was rain and the first openings on snowmaking were for the weekend of Nov. 18-19. There was some cold and snow for the first week of December, but it has warmed up again and holiday skiing is as limited as it has ever been in the snowmaking era. Natural snow is possible just after Christmas. Current percents open: Sunday River 37%, Sugarloaf 13%, Okemo 32%, Stratton 25%, Hunter 39%, Tremblant 27%, Mt. Ste. Anne 17%, Snowshoe 53%. 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.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Jay (avg.)

26

31%

14%

Stowe (Mansfield Stake)

27

38%

21%

Sugarbush

14

18%

18%

Killington

17

26%

28%

Cannon Mt.

15

45%

22%

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