2020-21 Ski Season Progress Report as of January 1, 2021

October 2020 snowfall was mostly in Canada. In late October a storm dipped down the Continental Divide into Colorado and New Mexico. Snowfall totals are since November 1 aside from Wolf Creek and the Banff areas which opened significant terrain based upon October snow. Openings at some areas were delayed until enough lifts/terrain can be opened for COVID-19 social distancing despite an above average first half of November for snow. The first widespread storms hit the West first weekend of November, with South Tahoe, Utah and Wolf Creek being the big winners. During the second week of November the Northwest and US Northern Rockies got 3-4 feet, with lesser amounts in adjacent regions. Third week of November snowfall hit mainly the Northwest and western Canada. Areas over half open for Thanksgiving were Wolf Creek 98%, Lake Louise 67%, Sunshine 62%, Sun Peaks 77%, Mt. Baker 82%, Crystal 56%, Lookout Pass 58% and Grand Targhee 60%. Note that aside from Wolf Creek's microclimate, all of these areas are among those most favored by the ongoing La Nina.

A massive ridge of high pressure built in western North America in late November, lasting nearly two weeks. Normal weather and average snowfall returned to most of the West in mid-December though a few snowy microclimates got much more. However, many areas remained 2-3 weeks behind schedule on snow so open terrain was still limited during the holidays. COVID-19 restrictions based upon open lifts/terrain mean that many destination resorts should be avoided until more lifts and terrain are open. At New Year's, areas half or less open with bases under 3 feet include Summit County Colorado, Utah outside the Cottonwood Canyons and Bridger/Big Sky in Montana.

California: There was no snow in October. The early November storm was 8-10 inches in North Tahoe and peaked SW of the lake with 20 inches at Sierra-Tahoe. Mammoth opened 5% Nov. 13 with 14 inches new plus cold temperatures for snowmaking. After a few more inches before Thanksgiving, the next two weeks were dry. There was 1-2 feet in mid-December and about a foot later in the month, so overall about half of terrain was open at Christmas. California lodging was limited to residents in December due to COVID-19 and is likely to be extended into Janaury. Northstar is 81% open. With base depths averaging 3 feet, advanced terrain remains limited. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: Crystal, Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor reported minimal snow through the first week of November. But it dumped heavily the rest of November. The first week of December was dry but it has snowed 5-7 feet over the rest of December. Base depths are 10 feet at Mt. Baker and 5-7 feet elsewhere.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was significant only in this region, with gradual additions in early November but more through the rest of the month. There was 4-6 feet of consistent snowfall in December. Sun Peaks and Silver Star have been 90+% open since mid-December. Western Canada had the best holiday conditions on an average base of 5 feet.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Montana had October snow but mostly east of the Continental Divide, 45 inches at Red Lodge. Great Divide opened a couple of runs with snowmaking assistance Oct. 31 but lost them to warm weather the next week. Second week of November it snowed 3-4 feet in Montana and Wyoming and 2 feet in Idaho. It snowed 1-2 feet during the second half of November. December snowfall was 5 feet in the Tetons and 3-4 feet elsewhere. Base depths are 4+ feet in the Tetons, but average 3 feet elsewhere. Bridger opened late and Big Sky is only 55% open. Sun Valley is 75% open.

Utah: Utah was extremely dry in October but got 2+ feet over the first weekend of November and a similar amount through the second week. There was less than a foot during the second half of November and first week of December but it has since snowed 4-5 feet in the Cottonwoods but less than 2 feet elsewhere. Base depths are close to 4 feet in the Cottonwoods but barely 2 feet at other Utah areas where open terrain is severely limited.

Northern and Central Colorado: This was possibly the first October in over 25 years with no ski area open despite a late October storm averaging 10 inches. The dry summer may have limited water for snowmaking at A-Basin and Loveland. Keystone opened Nov. 6, A-Basin Nov. 9, Breckenridge and Loveland Nov. 13. November snowfall was below average so with social distancing requirements Copper opened Nov. 30, Steamboat Dec. 1 and Winter Park Dec. 3. December snowfall was 2-4 feet but overall only about half of terrain was open for Christmas. Advanced terrain remains very limited with base depths under 3 feet.

Southern and Western Colorado: A late October storm dropped 13 inches at the Gothic Snow Lab and 22 inches at Monarch and Taos. Wolf Creek got 39 inches in October and with localized southwest storms reached 98% open by November 15. The rest of the region had a below average November and all had a dry early December. It has since snowed an average 4 feet. Wolf Creek has a 5 foot base. At most other areas base depths average 3 feet so it may be a while before most steep terrain opens. Taos is 65% open on a 45-inch base.

Northeast: Northern Vermont got 1+ foot at the start of November but most of the month was warm. Thus openings were delayed to Nov. 13 at Killington and Nov. 21 at Sunday River and Sugarloaf, with social distancing also being a factor. Early December progress was slow with mixed snow and rain resulting in low trail counts. The mid-December Nor'easter hit southern New England hard but did not snow much farther north. Trail counts were reduced by heavy rain over Christmas. While there has been some recovery, 2016 was the only year in over 20 years with less Northeast terrain open at New Year's. Percents open: Okemo 52%, Hunter 45%, Sunday River 40%, Sugarloaf 22%, Tremblant 55%, Ste. Anne 40%.

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