October 2019 was exceptionally cold in the Northern Rockies of both US and Canada. There were several small storms in northern regions and in Colorado. It will need to remain cold to maintain the early snowpack as the next two weeks are predicted mostly dry.
California: There has been no new snow. However, the offshore wind events reduce mountain temperatures which
will result in scheduled openings on manmade snow. Mt. Rose opened its beginner lift weekends starting Oct. 25.
Pacific Northwest: There has been snow but also considerable rain. Hood Meadows has had 31 inches snow but its
base is 3-7 inches. Mt. Bachelor has had 13 inches. Cams show a thin snowpack at the top of the Whistler gondola (reported 6 inches)
though there is probably more in the alpine.
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Snowfall has been more widespread in this region. Snowfall and base depths: Big White (19
inches, 6 inches), Fernie (33, 10), Castle Mt. (82 mostly at the end of September, 22), Kicking Horse (44, 17). Lake Louise will
open a week early on November 1, and snowpack looks promising on Sunshine's webcams.
U. S. Northern Rockies: Grand Targhee had 40 inches recent snowfall and has an 30 inch base. Others: Mid-mountain Jackson Hole (26, 11),
Brundage (19, 4). Base depths are 11 inches at Schweitzer and 2-20 inches at Whitefish.
Utah: The cold reached as far south as Utah, setting records near the end of the month. The Snowbird SNOTEL has an 18 inch base on about 30 inches
snowfall. Others: Brighton (31/16), Snowbasin (20/11).
Northern and Central Colorado: Early openings on snowmaking were A-Basin Oct. 11, Keystone Oct. 12 and Loveland Oct. 25. Several natural snowfalls
have totaled 48 inches at Breckenridge, 36 at Copper, 44 at Keystone, 40 at Loveland and 44 at Steamboat. Base depths at the open areas are
about 18 inches, so the snow will need to continue in November to achieve early terrain openings.
Southern and Western Colorado: The Rocky Mountain Biological Lab at Gothic (between Crested Butte and Aspen)
has had 21 inches season snowfall and has a 7.5 inch base. Wolf Creek has had 22 inches and will open its beginner
terrain on an 11 inch base Oct. 31. Monarch is opening Nov. 1 on similar snowpack
Northeast: No one has opened yet. Snowfall totals: Killington 4 inches, Sugarbush 2, Whiteface 12.
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