In most ski regions this was a warmer and drier than normal October and early November. However, there has been substantial snowfall in the northern and central Rockies during the past week to put the season on a normal track in many regions. Open terrain is limited and nearly all on snowmaking but there is now some natural base to build upon if it snows more over the next month.
California: The first Sierra winter storm hit November
1-2. Tahoe ski areas got 3-8 inches. The storm track was centered
farther south so Mammoth got 12 inches. Unfortunately the next
week was record warm, so there is little natural snow left in the
Sierra except for north facing slopes above 9,000 feet. Mammoth
opened one run on snowmaking on Nov. 13.
Pacific Northwest: Whistler is currently sticking with
its scheduled Nov. 27 opening despite abundant alpine snow in
October webcams. Last week's storm went through Oregon, dropping
23 inches at Hood Meadows and 22 at Mt. Bachelor.
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Lake Louise is 2%
open on snowmaking (18 inches November snowfall) and Sunshine 7%
(24 inches November snowfall). November snowfall for areas not
opening until December: Whitewater 15 inches, Fernie 8, Kicking
Horse 21.
U. S. Northern Rockies: Last week's storm hit most of
these areas. Brundage got 13 inches, Sun Valley 19 and Whitefish
reports a 20-inch base. The Tetons got the most snow, 28 inches
at Jackson and 35 at Targhee.
Utah: There was no October snow but Alta got 11 inches
in early November and another 17 this week. Snowbird has had 24
inches in Novemver and Brian Head 8 inches. Utah is still below
average on snow.
Northern and Central Colorado: A-Basin opened one
snowmaking run on October 17 and is now 6% open. Loveland (4%),
Copper (5%) and Breckenridge (3%) have opened in early November.
There were 2 storms this week, resulting in the following
November snow totals: Beaver Creek 37 inches, Vail 33 inches,
Copper 36 inches, Breckenridge 40 inches and Loveland 35 inches.
This region is now slightly above average for snow.
Southern and Western Colorado: The Gothic Snow lab
between Aspen and Crested Butte had 14.5 inches in October, and
28 so far in November. Wolf Creek has had 30 inches of November
snow and is now 40% open but coverage is thin.
Northeast: October was too warm for any areas to open
by the end of the month. Killington (now 10% open) and Sunday
River (6%) opened in early November. Bretton Woods (9%), Loon
(12%) and Sugarloaf (14%) are now open also. November snowfall
has been 6 inches at Killington, 11 inches at Sugarbush, 9 inches
at Stowe and 11 inches at Le Massif.
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