1996-97 Ski Season Progress Report as of February 20, 1997

Conditions remain excellent through most of the West. There are no destination resorts which should be avoided for lack of snow. From this point forward in the season, snow preservation rather than coverage is the key issue. Snow preservation is very predictable by the altitude and exposure characteristics of each area, as outlined in my regional detail tables. This information, combined with current snow reports to determine recent snowfall, should give an educated assessment of current conditions. Areas facing direct sun may still preserve a packed powder snow surface if temperatures remain below about 20F. In general, ski area reports are more candid regarding coverage and open terrain than surface conditions.

California: The Sierra Nevada received a few inches of snow earlier this week, the only new snow in February. Base depths are still high, particularly at the higher elevations. Most areas will be majority spring conditions with the conspicuous exceptions of Mammoth and Kirkwood, which have lots of high altitude northern exposures. See the California regional table for snow preservation tendencies. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: These areas still have deep base depths of 90 to 150+ inches. They have recently received another one to two feet new snow in the past few days. 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. See the Pacific Northwest regional table for snow preservation tendencies.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: The Banff and Okanagan areas have above average base depths this season and the Kootenay areas have very deep snow bases although there have been a few wet storms as well. There have been a few light snowfalls over the past two weeks. See the Interior Canada regional table for snow preservation tendencies.

U. S. Northern Rockies: This remains 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 462 inches is 176% of normal. Bridger and Big Sky also have excellent conditions. Sun Valley also has a very high base with currently excellent surface conditions. Most of these areas have a much lower fraction of north facing terrain than Utah or Colorado. Therefore, current temperature and snowfall reports should be closely monitored to assess surface conditions in February and later months. See the Northern Rockies regional table for snow preservation tendencies.

Utah: The Wasatch had a big January after an average November and December. There have been several light snowfalls but no major ones so far in February. The skier submitted reports indicate the usual excess of snow in the Cottonwood canyons compared to the Park City areas. The Cottonwood canyons also have better snow preservation than the lower altitude Utah areas. See the Utah regional table for details.

Northern and Central Colorado: Steamboat has received 329.5 inches of mid-mountain snow (149% of normal) this season to lead the region. The top of Vail has received 304 (131% of normal). All other areas are also in full operation. See the Northern and Central Colorado regional table for snow preservation tendencies.

Southern and Western Colorado: All areas are in full operation with above average base depths and some recent new snow. Snow preservation is uniformly excellent in this region. See the Southern and Western Colorado regional table for details.

Northeast: Snowfall has been above average so far, but there was considerable rain in late December. Conditions steadily improved through January. Skiing was excellent for a month until this week. There has been heavy rain, a freeze, and more rain is predicted. In New England the northern areas have had both more snow and colder temperatures than those farther south. 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. Surface conditions are much more a function of recent weather in the East, as opposed to altitude and exposure in the West.