In most ski regions this was a warmer and drier than normal October and early November. However, there was substantial snowfall in the northern and central Rockies in the rest of November to put the season on a normal track in many regions. Open terrain for Thanksgiving was 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 the next storm missed Mammoth and
was mostly rain at Tahoe. Despite a few inches this weekend, open terrain
is extremely limited. Though 1-2 feet is likely next week, the Sierra is starting from scratch
so advance commitments should be avoided before January. See Current
California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Squaw 8,000 |
22 |
38% |
1% |
|
Northstar |
5 |
13% |
5% |
|
Mt. Rose |
16 |
37% |
7% |
|
Heavenly |
5 |
11% |
2% |
|
Mammoth |
13.5 |
30% |
7% |
|
Southern Cal |
0 |
0% |
0-6% |
Pacific Northwest: Whistler and Mt. Bachelor have decent bases at high
elevation. Lower down there has been excessive rain in November and it
will take more snow before anyone else can open much terrain.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Whistler |
52 |
67% |
30% |
|
Crystal Mt. |
24 |
37% |
Closed |
|
Stevens Pass |
44 |
57% |
Closed |
|
Mt. Bachelor |
53 |
82% |
21% |
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: There is quite a bit of terrain
open in this region though base depths are in the 2-3 foot range.
Silver Star is 59% open and Sun Peaks is 49% open.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Big White |
37 |
66% |
7% |
|
Lake Louise |
46 |
131% |
34% |
|
Sunshine |
61 |
132% |
60% |
|
Revelstoke |
75 |
105% |
75% |
|
Kicking Horse |
62 |
114% |
Closed |
|
Whitewater |
57 |
91% |
Dec. 5 |
|
Red Mt. |
45 |
102% |
Dec. 13 |
|
Fernie |
54 |
90% |
Dec. 5 |
|
Castle Mt. |
32 |
76% |
Dec. 13 |
U. S. Northern Rockies: There have been several storms in
November in Wyoming and Montana, though Montana info is currently limited to
Whitefish's a 35-inch base. Big Sky is 2% open. Idaho snow has been less.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Grand Targhee |
80 |
115% |
66% |
|
Jackson Hole |
66 |
107% |
48% |
|
Schweitzer |
28 |
63% |
Dec. 5 |
|
Sun Valley |
29 |
90% |
14% |
Utah: The season started dry but the Cottonwood areas are on
track for a normal early season after a mid-November 3 foot dump.
Other areas did not get so much and are going to be mostly on snowmaking
for awhile.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Alta |
67 |
76% |
30% |
|
Snowbird |
66 |
96% |
23% |
|
Brighton/Solitude |
52 |
63% |
54% |
|
Park City group |
34 |
30% |
6% |
|
Snowbasin |
24 |
47% |
8% |
|
Brian Head |
19 |
19% |
4% |
Northern and Central Colorado: A-Basin opened one
snowmaking run on October 17 and is now 31% open. The past 3
weeks have been stormy in this region, which is now running
above average in snowfall and open terrain.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Beaver Creek |
72 |
125% |
39% |
|
Breckenridge |
88 |
192% |
45% |
|
Copper Mt. |
77 |
159% |
33% |
|
Keystone |
66 |
167% |
34% |
|
Loveland |
68 |
123% |
12% |
|
Steamboat |
71.5 |
109% |
18% |
|
Vail |
77 |
123% |
69% |
|
Winter Park |
72.5 |
106% |
30% |
Southern and Western Colorado: November snowfall was above average
north but below average south. Open terrain lags the Front Range areas, except
at Wolf Creek, where the base is a thin 18-23 inches. Taos is 5% open.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Aspen/Snowmass |
36 |
93% |
22% |
|
Gothic Snow Lab |
62 |
112% |
N/A |
|
Crested Butte |
51 |
133% |
16% |
|
Telluride |
60 |
141% |
14% |
|
Durango |
17 |
41% |
7% |
|
Wolf Creek |
39 |
65% |
70% |
Northeast: October was too warm for any areas to open
by the end of the month. November was good for snowmaking but
there has been intermittent rain along with some snow late in the month.
Percents open: Okemo 29%, Stratton 43%, Hunter 26%, Sugarloaf
9%, Sunday River 24%, Tremblant 19%, Mt. St. Anne 7%.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Jay Peak (mid) |
33 |
105% |
12% |
|
Stowe |
50 |
101% |
27% |
|
Sugarbush |
35 |
104% |
9% |
|
Killington |
23 |
75% |
25% |
|
Cannon Mt. |
18 |
125% |
27% |
|
Whiteface |
30 |
98% |
17% |
|
Le Massif |
36 |
129% |
Dec. 6 |
All content herein copyright © 1996-2014
Bestsnow.net
All Rights Reserved.
No copies or reproductions may be made in whole or in part
without express permission by Tony Crocker.
Prices for commercial users will be determined based upon
intended use and distribution.