With the conspicuous exception of California, most western regions had above average snow in November. In the Northwest and western Canada snowfall was at or near record levels and current ski conditions are outstanding.
California: North Tahoe has been brushed by a couple of the northern storms, but the limited
terrain open is due mostly to snowmaking. This is the driest start to a Sierra season in 11 years,
so advance commitments to any Sierra area should be avoided before at least mid-January.
Season snow (percent open) Squaw 18-37 (limited opening Dec. 1), Kirkwood 8-12 (3%), Mammoth 5 (8%).
Arizona Snowbowl 3 (closed). A few other areas are open but with no more than 10% of terrain.
See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.
Pacific Northwest: The late October/early November storms rivaled the infamous Tropical
Punch of January 2005 for flooding and high snow levels. But for the past 4 weeks temperatures have
been cold and it has been dumping snow. Base depths are 117-127 inches at Mt. Baker and 5-6 feet elsewhere.
Impressive and often record season snow (percent open) Whistler 164 (60%), Stevens 96 (56%), Crystal 137
(100%), Bachelor 120 (50%). Closed terrain is generally due to weather and control rather than coverage.
Mt. Hood Meadows is closed until mid-December to repair its washed out access road.
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Enough of the Northwest storms have reached interior
Canada for a near record start. Lake Louise and Sunshine are both 80% open and Sun Peaks 72%. Season snow Lake
Louise 63, Fernie 82, Kicking Horse 145 (this is more than half its average for the whole season and
it will open tomorrow, 2 weeks early), Castle Mt. 97.
U. S. Northern Rockies: So far snow has been above average.
Season snow (percent open) Big Mountain 70 (opens 12/2),Targhee 93 (75%), Jackson 63 (opens 12/2),
Sun Valley 17 (7%).
Utah: A recent 2-3 foot dump offset a dry mid-November to bring total snow near average.
Normal snow should bring full operation to the Cottonwood areas within a couple of weeks. The Park
City group and Snowbasin will need above average December snowfall for expert terrain by Christmas.
Season snow (percent open) Alta 91 (82%), Snowbird 69 (35%), Brighton 83 (45%), Snowbasin 51 (30%),
Park City group 46 (27%), Brian Head 26 (opens 12/2).
Northern and Central Colorado: These areas had 2-4+ feet of October snow and a normal
November of 3-4 feet. Thus more terrain is open than normal, but at least an average December will
be needed for full operation at most areas for the holidays. Season snow (percent open): Loveland 100
(82%, still best in the region), Breckenridge 74 (26%), Copper 71 (48%), Keystone 68 (34%), Steamboat 92 (25%),
Vail 73 (27%), Winter Park 76 (37%).
Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek had 65 inches in October and 69 in November and
is in full operation. Regional snowfall is well above average except for the far south.
Nonetheless substantial December snow will be needed to open expert terrain by Christmas
with current base depths of no more than 3 feet except for the 5 feet at Wolf Creek.
Gothic (between Aspen and Crested Butte) had 47 inches in October and 52 in November. About 35% of
Aspen/Snowmass is open. Other season snow (percent open) Crested Butte 75 (28%)Telluride 85 (3%),
Durango 35 (opens 12/2), Taos 28 (3%).
Northeast: Natural snow in October totalled 21 inches at Jay Peak and 16 inches at Killington.
Unfortunately November was warm so all precipitation was rain and the first openings on snowmaking were
for the weekend of Nov. 18-19. Current percents open: Killington 10%, Sunday River 5%, Sugarloaf 3%,
Tremblant 5%, Mt. Ste. Anne 3%, some other limited openings expected this weekend. I strongly recommend checking
First Tracks Online Ski Magazine No-Bull Ski Reports
for up to date information in this region, where both weather and surface conditions can change so rapidly.