2019-20 Ski Season Progress Report as of November 30, 2019

October 2019 was exceptionally cold in the Northern Rockies of both US and Canada. There were several small storms in northern regions and particularly in Colorado. The first half of November was bone dry in the western US with no area receiving more than 3 inches snow and most getting zero. Threfore most October snow melted out and is not included in the table of snow totals below. During the third week of November a moderate 1-2 foot storm came mostly through the Southwest while a few inches fell in some northern regions. During Thanksgiving week a strong storm dumped 2-4 feet in California and 3-5 feet in Utah. The Northwest and northern Rockies remain seriously deficent in snow.

California: Mt. Rose opened its beginner lift weekends starting Oct. 25 and Mammoth opened Nov. 9. The first natural Sierra snow Nov. 20 was only 2-6 inches but 2-3 feet fell this week with another 2-3 feet predicted this weekend. Open terrain is limited now but I would expect most intermediate runs and some high elevation advanced terrain to open within a week. Late November snowfall was 3-4 feet in Southern California and 6 feet in Arizona. 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

38

68%

2%

Alpine Meadows

37.5

93%

2%

Mt. Rose

42

97%

25%

Northstar (mid estimate)

33

83%

4%

Heavenly

45

91%

3%

Kirkwood

48

82%

6%

Mammoth

54

121%

14%

Southern Cal

45

532%

0-58%

Arizona Snowbowl

78

294%

60%

Pacific Northwest: In October Hood Meadows had 31 inches snow and Mt. Bachelor had 13 inches but the base melted out by mid-November. Late November snow averaged 2 feet in Oregon declining to less than a foot farther north. This was probably the driest November on record at Whistler. This region has a good historical record in December but the dry November calls for deferring advance commitments until at least January.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Whistler

8

10%

2%

Crystal Mt.

18

28%

7%

Stevens Pass

8

11%

Closed

Mt. Hood

19

27%

11%

Mt. Bachelor

28

45%

2%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was widespread in this region but November snowfall was significant only well north of the US border. Lake Louise opened a week early on November 1, and had the most terrain open in North America in November.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Big White

19

33%

3%

Lake Louise

55

151%

68%

Sunshine

59

124%

40%

Revelstoke

40

53%

20%

Kicking Horse

38

74%

Dec. 6

Whitewater

43

70%

Dec. 6

Red Mt.

19

48%

Dec. 12

Fernie

10

17%

1%

Castle Mt.

38

88%

17%

U. S. Northern Rockies: Grand Targhee had 40 inches October snowfall but postponed opening to November 29 due to the dry month. Late November snow was about 2 feet in Wyoming and Sun Valley but less than a foot elsewhere. Advanced commitments in this region should be deferred until there is more snow.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Grand Targhee

33

41%

15%

Jackson Hole

29

48%

5%

Schweitzer

17

39%

2%

Brundage

12

26%

Closed

Sun Valley

30

92%

11%

Utah: The October cold reached as far south as Utah, setting records near the end of the month. The Snowbird SNOTEL's 40 inches of October snowfall shrunk to a 9 inch base before a few inches fell during the third week of November. The Thanksgiving storm dumped 3-5 feet, bringing end of month base depths close to normal. Considerably more terrain should open within a week once snow is stabilized.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Alta

74

93%

23%

Snowbird SNOTEL

53

74%

9%

Brighton/Solitude

60

82%

16%

Park City (mid estimate)

45

100%

7%

Snowbasin

53

104%

14%

Brian Head

81

193%

50%

Northern and Central Colorado: Early openings on snowmaking were A-Basin Oct. 11, Keystone Oct. 12 and Loveland Oct. 25. Most of the 3+ feet of October snow was lost during the dry first half of November so open terrain at Thanksgiving is below average on base depths averaging a bit under 2 feet after average snowfall during the second half of the month.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Beaver Creek

29

51%

23%

Breckenridge

25

52%

16%

Copper Mt.

12

25%

14%

Keystone

18

44%

11%

Loveland

29

53%

11%

Steamboat

22

34%

8%

Vail

22

36%

12%

Winter Park

22

37%

24%

Southern and Western Colorado: The Rocky Mountain Biological Lab at Gothic (between Crested Butte and Aspen) had 20 inches October snowfall but lost its base during the dry first half of November. Wolf Creek had 22 inches October snowfall and Monarch 38 inches, so both opened by Nov. 1. The Southwest was the region most favored during the third week of November with some additional snow Thanksgiving week.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Aspen/Snowmass

29

76%

22%

Gothic Snow Lab

17

31%

N/A

Crested Butte

14

36%

8%

Telluride

48

113%

7%

Purgatory

42

103%

41%

Wolf Creek

53

89%

100%

Taos

38

79%

9%

Northeast: The first openings were Killington Nov. 3, Mt. St. Sauveur Nov. 8 and Sunday River Nov. 9. Early November weather was favorably cold but there was mixed precipitation late in the month. Percents open: Hunter 21%, Okemo 25%, Sunday River 22% and Sugarloaf 15%, Tremblant 16%, St. Anne 18%.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Jay Peak (mid estimate)

40

80%

6%

Smuggler's Notch

26

55%

18%

Stowe

27

58%

19%

Sugarbush

26

78%

6%

Killington

26

87%

23%

Whiteface

25

89%

7%

Cannon

25

174%

38%

Le Massif

35

108%

13%

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