2022-23 Ski Season Progress Report as of January 8, 2023

Late October 2022 saw widespread moderate snowfall through much of the West. Some of this snowpack persisted in Utah and the Tetons as the first third of November was very snowy there as well as California. It was then mostly dry to Thanksgiving, so only Utah and the Tetons include October snowfall in the tables below. The earlier storms opened the majority of terrain at Grand Targhee, Mammoth and all 4 of Utah's Cottonwood Canyon areas on 4 foot bases. Widespread snow over most of the West through mid-December opened much more terrain. While most regions saw only modest snow the week before Christmas, many areas in the Sierra, Utah and northern Rockies were already set for the holidays on 4-6+ foot bases.

Intense atmospheric rivers hit the West Coast over the holidays with 4-6 feet of snow but also with lower elevation rain. These storms pushed into inland regions as well, particularly Utah. AR storms through the Sierra and Utah have continued during the first week of January. There are temporary closures not noted below digging out from these storms.

California: It snowed up to a foot during the first week of November, then 2+ feet at Tahoe and 4 feet at Mammoth Nov. 7-9. It snowed 3-4 feet Dec. 1-4 and another 3-4 feet Dec. 10-11. Base depths of 5-7+ feet were the deepest for mid-December since 2004. Two storms during Christmas Week dumped 3 feet plus considerable rain at low elevation and up to 6 feet above 9,000 feet, bringing average base depths up to 8 feet. During the first week of January another 4+ feet fell above 8,000 feet with 2-3 feet and some rain lower down. During these two weeks Arizona got 4+ feet of snow while Southern California ski areas had mostly rain and no more than a foot of snow. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: There were three storms in late October but the last one was all rain. Early November storms started as rain but ended as snow. The Whistler alpine cams showed a considerable base Nov. 10, but opened 9% at Thanksgiving with no more new snow. After Thanksgiving it snowed 4 feet in Washington and 3 feet in Oregon with another 2-3 feet during the first half of December, yielding base depths of 5 feet at Mt. Baker (95% open) and 3-4 feet elsewhere. After another foot of new snow, Christmas weekend was ugly with freezing rain and some temporary closures. 2 feet of snow after Christmas restored surfaces, bringing base depths to 8 feet at Mt. Baker and 5 feet elsewhere. Less than a foot fell in Washington/Oregon during the first week of January but more at Whistler.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Late October and early November snowfall was above average but it was mostly dry for the next 3 weeks. From Thanksgiving through Christmas 4+ feet of snow fell in the Okanagan and Kootenay regions, but only half as much around Banff, which has low tide conditions. 1.5 - 3 feet fell during the holiday week, bringing Okanagan and Kootenay base depths to 4-5 feet. The first week of January was mostly dry. Silver Star is 95% open and Sun Peaks 96%.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Late October/early November snowfall was 4-6 feet in the Tetons and 2-3 feet elsewhere. There was 2-3 feet after Thanksgiving, another 2-3 feet during the first half of December and a foot the week before Christmas over most of the region. Jackson opened its tram Dec. 3, Big Sky is 93% open. Christmas base depths were 5 feet in the Tetons, 3-4 feet elsewhere, and it snowed another 2+ feet over the holidays at many areas. During the first week of January it snowed a foot in the Tetons but not much elsewhere.

Utah: Late October/early November snowfall of 8 feet in the Cottonwoods and 4-5 feet elsewhere kicked off an excellent early season. From Thanksgiving to mid-December it snowed 7-9 feet in the Cottonwoods and 4-5 feet elsewhere. Christmas base depths were 6-7 feet in the Cottonwoods, and 4-5 feet elsewhere. During the holidays it has snowed 4+ feet in the Cottonwoods and 3 feet elsewhere, with at another foot likely as the storm is still ongoing. Alta snowfall through December was second all time to 1983-84, and it snowed another 3-4 feet during the first week of January.

Northern and Central Colorado: Snowmaking openings were A-Basin Oct. 23, Keystone Oct. 28 and Winter Park Oct. 31. Early November snowfall averaged 1.5 feet, with about 2 feet over the rest of the month. During the first half of December it snowed 5 feet at Steamboat, 3+ feet at Vail and Winter Park and 2+ feet elsewhere. Christmas base depths were 3-4 feet at the former 3 areas, which were closest to full operation for the holidays. Less than a foot fell during the week before Christmas, but an average 2 feet fell during Christmas Week. First week of January snowfall was 1.5 feet at Steamboat, Vail and Winter Park but less than a foot elsewhere.

Southern and Western Colorado: Early November snowfall was almost 3 feet at Wolf Creek and about half that elsewhere. 1-2 feet fell over the rest of the month. First half of December snow was 2-3 feet and just a few inches the week before Christmas. Wolf Creek's Christmas base was 40-45 inches, but most areas had bases not much over 2 feet. 2+ feet of snow fell at most areas during the holiday week. During the first week of January it snowed 4 feet at Purgatory and Wolf Creek, and 2 feet farther north, where part of Crested Butte's North Face opened. Since Christmas it has snowed only 1.5 feet in New Mexico, which remains at low tide.

Northeast: Warm weather and rain prevented any areas from opening for the first half of November. Through mid-December there was intermittent cold weather for snowmaking but storms were nearly all rain. 2-3 feet of snow fell Dec. 16-18. Rain on Dec. 23 closed some recently opened trails, but the storm ended with enough snow for some areas to remain over half open. Several rain events over the two weeks after Christmas reduced many trail counts well below half. Percents open: Okemo 51%, Hunter 47%, Sunday River 39%, Sugarloaf 39%, Tremblant 58%, Ste. Anne 39%.

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