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 2 weeks to put the season on a normal track in many regions. Open terrain for Thanksgiving is mostly on snowmaking but there is enough natural base to have some optimism for a normal or better Christmas season at many areas.
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, and last weekend's storm missed Mammoth and was mostly rain at Tahoe. Open terrain is extremely limited. Though snow is predicted in early December, the Sierra is starting from scratch so advance commitments should be avoided before January. Season snowfalls (percents open): Mammoth 12 inches (4%), Heavenly 3 (1%), Northstar 3 (3%), Mt. Rose 11 (5%). See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.
Pacific Northwest: Whistler has had 39 inches and is currently
4% open on some mid-mountain lifts. Mt. Bachelor has had 37 inches and
is 1% open. Crystal has had 30 inches and Stevens 32, but both are
closed due to rain this week. Whistler and Bachelor may have more
base at higher elevation, but lower Northwest ski areas need much more snow
to open.
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Lake Louise (24 inches
snowfall) and Sunshine (36 inches) are about 10% open on snowmaking
with the natural base still under 2 feet. Sun Peaks is 6% open.
November snowfall for areas not opening until December: Whitewater 39
inches, Fernie 30, Kicking Horse 36, Revelstoke 54, Big White 12.
U. S. Northern Rockies: Grand Targhee is half open with 51
inches snowfall. Opening Thanksgiving will be Jackson (50 inches snowfall),
Sun Valley (26 inches) and Schweitzer (23 inches). Brundage has had 26
inches and Whitefish has a 25-inch base.
Utah: The season started dry but the Cottonwood areas are on
track for a normal early season after the 3 foot dump last weekend.
Other areas did not get so much and are going to be mostly on snowmaking
for awhile. Season snowfalls (percents open): Alta 63 inches (17%), Snowbird 63 (7%),
Brighton/Solitude 52 (20%), Park City 32 (5%), Snowbasin 18 (opens 11/26), Brian Head 19 (4%).
Northern and Central Colorado: A-Basin opened one
snowmaking run on October 17 and is now 13% open. The past 2
weeks have been stormy in this region, which is now running
above average in snowfall and open terrain. Season snowfalls (percents open):
Beaver Creek 67 inches (opens 11/26), Breckenridge 75 (24%), Copper 63 (16%),
Keystone 61 (28%), Loveland 58 (6%), Steamboat 66 (opens 11/26), Vail 68 (25%),
Winter Park 66 (8%).
Southern and Western Colorado: The Gothic Snow lab
between Aspen and Crested Butte had 14.5 inches in October, and
55 so far in November. Aspen Mt. is 23% open and Telluride has had
61 inches snowfall. Wolf Creek has had 39 inches of November
snow and is now 70% open but coverage is thin.
Northeast: October was too warm for any areas to open
by the end of the month. November has been good for snowmaking but
there is currently widespread rain, so Thanksgiving skiing may be difficult.
Season snowfalls (percents open): Jay 18 inches (opens 11/26), Stowe 32 (12%),
Sugarbush 20 (7%), Killington 10 (12%), Le Massif 28 (opemns 11/29). Whiteface
has had 24 inches of snow and Cannon Mt. 3 inches. Okemo is 22% open, Sugarloaf
8%, Sunday River 17% and Tremblant 15%.
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