2011-12 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 1, 2011

Late October 2011 will be remembered for its snowfall in the eastern metro areas, which also opened a few eastern ski areas. Aside from Wolf Creek, no western areas had a meaningful snowpack at the end of October to get a jump on the upcoming season. I was out of the country the entire month of November and unable to follow progress in snowfall or ski area openings during that time. December 1 snowfall totals reflect a classic La Nina pattern with an outstanding start in the Pacific Northwest and much of western Canada. Utah and the U.S. Northern Rockies look average or slightly better while California and most of Colorado are well below average, suggesting that holiday commitments there be deferred or relocated to the more favorable regions.

California: There was an 18+ inch storm during the firm week of October but it all melted up to at least 10,000 feet by the end of the month. Mammoth had about half normal snowfall in November and Tahoe was even drier. Advance commitments should be avoided until well past the holidays barring a major dump earlier. 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	16	28%	3%
Northstar	22	56%	3%
Mt. Rose	24	55%	Closed
Kirkwood	34	55%	Closed
Mammoth	30	58%	10%
Southern Cal	16	192%	0-25%
Arizona Snowbowl	42	151%	Closed

Pacific Northwest: The entire region had an excellent start in November. Mt. Bachelor's snowfall was close to average but eyewitness reports show a solid base that could open the entire mountain, weather and demand permitting. Farther north November snowfall was well above average. Mt. Baker and Mt. Hood are 80% open. Base depths are in the 4 foot range.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Whistler	123	163%	53%
Crystal Mt.	114	173%	87%
Stevens Pass	97	126%	38%
Mt. Bachelor	68	106%	18%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: November snowfall was high through most of the region. Base depths are in the 3-4 foot range and much more terrain than normal is open early. Big White is 20% open, Silver Star 49% and Sun Peaks 65%. Revelstoke and Kicking Horse snow totals are likely inflated by including October, but I expect strong openings from both.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Lake Louise	61	176%	58%
Sunshine	80	177%	52%
Revelstoke	129	169%	Dec. 3
Kicking Horse	118	216%	Dec. 3
Whitewater	84	135%	Dec. 3
Red Mt.	52	177%	Dec. 17
Fernie	70	120%	Dec. 2
Castle Mt.	46	106%	Dec. 10

U. S. Northern Rockies: Snowfall in November was close to average at areas reporting. Jackson opened a bit early and has more terrain than normal available. Idaho is off to a good start with the Northwest influence. But in Montana Big Sky is only 4% open and Whitefish has delayed its opening at least a week despite good snow just across the border in Fernie.

Utah: Utah’s November was close to average. As expected Alta and Brighton have the most open terrain and operations are very limited elsewhere. Continued normal snow should bring the Cottonwood areas to full operation before the holidays but probably later than that elsewhere.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Alta	77	93%	50%
Snowbird	78	111%	9%
Brighton/Solitude	67	87%	33%
Park City	38	80%	8%
Snowbasin	60	127%	20%
Brian Head	48	96%	10%

Northern and Central Colorado: Snowfall totals are slightly below average but open terrain paints a worse picture. Most of these areas are about 25% open at Thanksgiving (based upon 20+ years of data) so 10-15% open on Dec. 1 is a slow start and the pace will need to pick up for much advanced terrain to get open before the holidays. Loveland had 46 inches in October but only 36 inches in Novmeber. It is possible that other area snow totals may include some October snow that probably did not last.

Southern and Western Colorado: The Gothic Snow Lab between Crested Butte and Aspen (snowier climate than either) had 24.5 inches in October and another 36.5 in November. Aspen is 30% open and Snowmass 10%. Taos is 19% open and Purgatory 15%. Snowfall other than the Wolf Creek microclimate has been below average and I would not expect much advanced terrain open by the holidays without substantially more snow.

Northeast: The late October storm dropped 15 inches at Killington, which opened Oct. 30, Sunday River, Mt. Snow and Plattekill also opened on a limited basis. The natural snow was much less than in Octotber 2005, so operations were more limited and any natural base soon dispappeared. November was very poor with low snowfall and current operations are very restricted. Snowmaking leaders Sunday River and Okemo are 8% and 4% open respectively. 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.

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