2020-21 Ski Season Progress Report as of November 30, 2020

October 2020 snowfall was mostly in Canada. In late October a storm dipped down the Continental Divide into Colorado and New Mexico. Snowfall totals are since November 1 aside from Wolf Creek and the Banff areas which opened significant terrain based upon October snow. 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 were 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. A massive ridge of high pressure is building in western North America and expected to last for at least two weeks. That forecast plus COVID-19 restrictions based upon open lifts/terrain mean that destination resorts in California, Utah and Colorado should be avoided until after the holidays.

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 before Thanksgiving, California looks to be in an extended dry spell through mid-December so skiing will be dependent on snowmaking for awhile. Northstar is 24% open. Avoid this region until there is much more natural snow. 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 dumped heavily since then. Mt. Baker is 100% open on a 54-65 inch base. There is one more small storm soon, then dry for at least a week.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was significant only in this region, with gradual additions in early November but more through the rest of the month. Sun Peaks is 92% open on a 35 inch base. Western Canada is likely to have the best holiday conditions.

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. It snowed 1-2 feet during the second half of November. After a few more inches soon, it will be dry for at least a week.

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. There was less than a foot during the second half of November and the first half of December is expected to be dry. I expect minimal expansion of open terrain over that time and Utah is unlikely to see full operation before January.

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. November snowfall was below average so with social distancing requirements Copper opened Nov. 30 and Steamboat and Winter Park will open later this week. The late openings plus the upcoming predicted dry weather are red flags to avoid this region for at least a month.

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 with localized southwest storms reached 98% open by November 15. The rest of the region had a below average November so most open terrain is on snowmaking, with significant improvement before the holidays unlikely with the dry forecast.

Northeast: Northern Vermont got 1+ foot at the start of November but most of the month was warm. Thus openings were delayed to Nov. 13 at Killington and Nov. 21 at Sunday River and Sugarloaf, with social distancing also being a factor. December progress looks slow with rain predicted this week. Percents open: Okemo 8%, Sunday River 11%, Sugarloaf 5%, Tremblant 12%.

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