2021-22 Ski Season Progress Report as of November 30, 2021

October 2021 precipitation was heavy along the West Coast, though mostly with very high rain/snow lines. The Oct. 24-25 storm opened Mammoth and Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) on Oct. 29. Substantial snow also accumulated in the Whistler alpine. November was unusually warm, plus drier than normal in many regions. The Northwest has been stormy but with more rain than snow. Late November storms have opened over half the terrain at the Banff areas. Revelstoke and Kicking Horse have 5+ foot bases, which promises good December skiing when they open.

The warm temperatures have delayed snowmaking and postponed some scheduled opening dates in the western US. Delayed opening dates are a red flag for early season skiing. A bad November does not mean a busted ski season, but coverage and open terrain will likely be extremely limited at western US destination resorts until January, particularly in view of predicted continued dry weather for at least a week into December. Grand Targhee, 61% open, and Alta, 50% open on 30 inch bases, are the most likely exceptions. Mammoth has the next most terrain open at 25%, but most western US resorts are under 10% if open at all. Due to the November weather. October snowfall is not included in season totals other than a few places where October was material to early November open terrain.

California: There were small snowfalls in mid-October. A major atmospheric river dumped several inches of rain up to 10,000 feet before dumping 3+ feet of heavy snow Oct. 24-25. On Oct. 29 Mammoth opened 22% of terrain and Palisades Tahoe 13% but only for 3 days. It's been warm in November with 7-11 inches new snow above 8,000 feet and most snow melting out lower down. Only Mammoth is open (25%) with 40 inches snowfall on a 6-26 inch base still holding up well at high altitude. No Tahoe areas preserved or made enough snow to open in November. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: The entire month of October was very wet but the rain/snow line was high. November continued the warm but wet pattern. A solid snowpack of 51 inches accmulated at 6,000 feet at both Whistler and Blackcomb in November. Mt. Baker got 4 feet of snow mid-November but heavy rain reduced its base to 14 inches. All Washington and Oregon areas have postponed opening dates.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was average and the Banff areas opened a week into November. November snowfall ranged from 3 feet in the Okanagan to 7+ feet at Revelstoke/Kicking Horse and Banff. Sun Peaks is 53% open on a 31 inch base. This is the recommended western region for the holiday season.

U. S. Northern Rockies: November snowfall was well below average, with some rain at the lower interior Northwest areas. Big Sky is 5% open and Sun Valley 6%, mostly on snowmaking.

Utah: Utah had well above average October snowfall, but it was gradual so no one opened and it melted out below 8,000 feet. November tied for driest in the 42 years of Alta Collins records at 22 inches. For the Cottonwood areas only a residual base from October is added to snow totals.

Northern and Central Colorado: October and November snowfalls were modest, so the openings (A-Basin Oct. 17, Keystone Oct. 23 and Loveland Oct. 31) were all less than 2% open on snowmaking.

Southern and Western Colorado: November snowfall was less than half normal. Wolf Creek has been open since the end of October but it's extremely low tide with a 14 inch base. Taos is 4% open on mostly snowmaking.

Northeast: No one reported new snow in New England or eastern Canada until the second weekend of November. Killington opened Nov. 6. Cold weather and some snow in late November have started to expand open terrain. Percents open: Okemo 9%, Hunter 9%, Sunday River 12%, Sugarloaf 6%, Tremblant 6%

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