Conditions remain excellent through most of the West. There are no destination resorts which should be avoided for lack of snow.

California: The Sierra Nevada got 2 to 3 feet of snow last weekend. The snow level was expected to be 7,000 feet, but Squaw Valley's elevation 6,200 base depth increased from 49 to 66 inches. High elevation Sierra base depths are at least 12 feet now. Arizona ski areas remain in excellent shape after another 1-2 feet last weekend. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: Washington and Oregon ski areas still have deep base depths of 90 to 150+ inches and are enjoying one of their best seasons so far. Check Cascade Ski Report Current Conditions or Northwest Ski Report First-Hand Reports for up to date information, as surface conditions can be variable, particularly at lower elevations. Whistler / Blackcomb, Mt. Baker and Steven's Pass received up to 2 feet new snow late last week.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: The Banff and Okanagan areas have increased base depths from new snow last week and the Kootenay areas at least 2 feet new late last week.

U. S. Northern Rockies: This is still the premier ski region of 1996-97. You can live vicariously through some of the Idaho Powder Hound's skier submitted reports. Schweitzer, Silver and Big Mountain are on the Pacific Northwest storm track and consequently in good shape on 90+ inch bases. Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole had record December snowfall and Jackson's season to date total of 401 inches is over double normal. Bridger and Big Sky also have excellent conditions. Sun Valley received new snow last weekend and still has a very high base.

Utah: The Wasatch has had several major dumps in January after an average November and December. Little Cottonwood Canyon was Interlodged by a road closing avalanche Jan. 11-12. Check eyewitness skier reports (if they get around to updating Snow Reports For Utah Resorts) for confirmation. The skier submitted reports indicate the usual excess of snow in the Cottonwood canyons compared to the Park City areas.

Northern and Central Colorado: Steamboat has received over 320 inches snow this season to lead the region. Vail is next with 270. Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mt., Loveland and Winter Park are also in full operation.

Southern and Western Colorado: Telluride and all the Aspen areas are in full operation. All of Crested Butte's North Face / Extreme Limits terrain is open, and they have received over 2 feet new snow recently. The southern areas, Wolf Creek, Purgatory and Taos, also got another 1-2 feet of snow over the weekend.

Northeast: Most areas are in full operation after a sustained stretch of very cold temperatures. Natural snow dependent Mad River Glen and Sugarbush's Castlerock have been open for two weeks now. As my report is an overview, I strongly recommend checking Scenes of Vermont Ski Page for up to date information in this region, where surface conditions can change so rapidly.