October 2020 snowfall was mostly in Canada. In late October a storm dipped down the Continental Divide into Colorado and New Mexico. Openings at some areas were delayed until enough lifts/terrain can be opened for COVID-19 social distancing despite an above average first half of November for snow. The first widespread storms hit the West first weekend of November, with South Tahoe, Utah and Wolf Creek being the big winners. During the second week of November the Northwest and US Northern Rockies got 3-4 feet, with lesser amounts in adjacent regions. Third week of November snowfall hit mainly the Northwest and western Canada. Areas over half open for Thanksgiving Week include Wolf Creek 98%, Lake Louise 67%, Sunshine 62%, Sun Peaks 77%, Mt. Baker 82%, Crystal 56%, Lookout Pass 58% and Grand Targhee 60%. Note that aside from Wolf Creek's microclimate, all of these areas are among those most favored by the ongoing La Nina.
California: There was no snow in October. The early November storm was 8-10 inches in North Tahoe and peaked SW of the
lake with 20 inches at Sierra-Tahoe. Mammoth opened 5% Nov. 13 with 14 inches new plus cold temperatures for snowmaking. After
a few more inches, Califonia looks to be in an extended dry spell through early December so skiing will be dependent on snowmaking
for awhile. Snowfall, base depth, percent open or opening date if known: Mammoth (21, 20, 6%), Squaw 8,000 (32, 25, Nov. 25),
Mt. Rose (33, 19, 29%), Alpine (29, 21, Nov. 25), Sierra (35, 14). Heavenly is 7% open and Northstar 10%.
See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.
Pacific Northwest: Crystal, Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor reported minimal snow through the first week of November. But it
has been dumong since then. Snowfall, base depth, percent open or opening date if known: Whistler (57, 28, Nov. 25), Crystal
(51, 41, 56%), Hood Meadows (59, 44), Mt. Bachelor (74.5, 35, Dec. 7). Mt. Baker is 82% open on a 50-60 inch base.
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was significant only in this region, with gradual additions in
early November but more last week. Snowfall, base depth, percent open or opening date if known: Kicking Horse (69, 34), Revelstoke
(94, 45, Nov. 27), Sunshine (101, 39, 62%), Lake Louise (64, 28, 67%), Fernie (46, 13, Dec.5), Red Mt. (45, 19, Dec. 12), Big White
(52, 43, 31%). Sun Peaks is 77% open on a 35 inch base.
U. S. Northern Rockies: Montana had October snow but mostly east of the Continental Divide, 45 inches at Red Lodge. Great Divide
opened a couple of runs with snowmaking assistance Oct. 31 but lost them to warm weather the next week. Second week of November it snowed
3-4 feet in Montana and Wyoming and 2 feet in Idaho. Snowfall, base depth, percent open or opening date if known: Grand Targhee (92, 38, 60%),
Jackson (71, 35, Nov. 26), Lookout Pass (65, 28, 58%), Whitefish (63, 37, Dec. 10), Brundage (31, 21), Schweitzer (31. 19, weekends).
Utah: Utah was extremely dry in October but got 2+ feet over the first weekend of November and a similar amount through the
second week, but there has been no new snow for over a week. Snowfall, base depth, percent open or opening date if known:
Alta (57, 19, Nov. 20), Snowbird SNOTEL (58, 22, Nov. 30), Brighton (44, 18, 24%), Snowbasin (45, 22, Nov. 26), Brian Head (19, 10, 11%).
Northern and Central Colorado: This was possibly the first October in over 25 years with no ski area open despite a late October
storm averaging 10 inches. The dry summer may have limited water for snowmaking at A-Basin and Loveland. Keystone opened Nov. 6,
A-Basin Nov. 9, Breckenridge and Loveland Nov. 13. Snowfall since Nov. 1, base depth, percent open or opening date
if known: Breckenridge (28, 18, 5%), Keystone (24, 18, 13%), Loveland (31, 18, 5%). Copper has has 31 inches and Winte Park 48.
Southern and Western Colorado: A late October storm dropped 13 inches at the Gothic Snow Lab and 22 inches at Monarch and
Taos. Wolf Creek got 39 inches in October and 51 so far in localized southwest storms in November to reach 98% open on 46-55 inch base.
Purgatory has had 33 inches snow and is 6% open on a 16 inch base. Other November snow totals: Gothic 23 inches, Crested Butte 16, Monarch 19.
Northeast: Northern Vermont got 1+ foot at the start of November but it has since been mostly very warm. Thus openings were delayed to
Nov. 13 at Killington (now 8% open) and Nov. 21 at Sunday River (7% open) and Sugarloaf (3% open).
Snowfall totals: Killington 24 inches, Sugarbush 18, Stowe 25, Jay 30, Le Massif 25.
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