Late October 2023 saw moderate snowfall in northern and central regions. Early November weather was mostly dry in central and southern regions. Northern regions saw more rain than snow the first week of November but have accumulated some snow since then. All snowfall totals (Italic numbers are from Open Snow) are since November 1 and nearly all open terrain is on snowmaking. There were modest storms mid-November through Thanksgiving. High snowfall areas like Alta, Revelstoke and Mt. Bachelor delaying openings were red flags. For Thanksgiving Targhee was 63% open but next in line were Alta at 29%, Wolf Creek at 20% and Sunshine at 19%. This was overall the worst November in western North America since 2007, with no region getting more than 60% of normal snowfall. A much larger storm is hitting the Pacific Northwest now and is expected to extend inland to the northern and central Rockies. Continued heavy snowfall snowfall will be needed for decent skiing at Christmas. Advance commitments to most western destinations should be deferred to at least January if possible, particularly those currently with 15% or less open terrain.
California: November storms were only a few inches so skiing is very limited and only on manmade. This region should be avoided
until there is much more snow. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California
and Mammoth.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Palisades 8,000 |
10 |
22% |
1% |
Alpine Meadows |
9 |
23% |
2% |
Northstar (mid estimate) |
13 |
41% |
3% |
Mt. Rose |
12 |
35% |
15% |
Heavenly |
5 |
11% |
4% |
Kirkwood |
23 |
40% |
2% |
Mammoth |
15 |
34% |
13% |
Southern Cal |
0 |
0% |
0-24% |
Arizona Snowbowl |
16 |
59% |
15% |
Pacific Northwest: Only Whistler opened a modest 7% at Thanksgiving, while all other areas delayed opening. This weekend's storms
may dump 3+ feet, but next week's storms may rain up to 7,000 feet.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Whistler |
44 |
58% |
10% |
Stevens Pass |
6 |
8% |
TBD |
Crystal Mt. |
18 |
28% |
6% |
Mt. Hood |
36 |
52% |
Dec. 9 |
Mt. Bachelor |
25 |
40% |
7% |
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: November rain turned to snow earlier in this region for some of the highest early season totals.
However November was still only 60% of average and Revelstoke has delayed opening. The incoming Northwest storms may yield 1-2 feet
of snow.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Big White |
24 |
41% |
Dec. 5 |
Lake Louise |
30 |
81% |
10% |
Sunshine |
29 |
60% |
20% |
Revelstoke |
47 |
64% |
TBD |
Kicking Horse |
31 |
62% |
Dec. 8 |
Red Mt. |
17 |
42% |
Dec. 9 |
Fernie |
48 |
85% |
29% |
Castle Mt. |
28 |
64% |
9% |
U. S. Northern Rockies: Novmeber snowfall was less than half normal with the usual exception of Targhee. 1-3 feet of snow is
expected from the Northwest storms, with some rain next week at lower elevations.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Grand Targhee |
54 |
68% |
61% |
Jackson Hole |
24 |
40% |
7% |
Schweitzer |
17 |
39% |
1% |
Lookout Pass |
19 |
28% |
Dec. 3 |
Brundage |
15 |
33% |
3% |
Sun Valley |
5 |
16% |
5% |
Big Sky |
12 |
18% |
2% |
Utah: November snowfall was about half normal and open terrain is limited, but 2-3 feet of snow is expected from the Northwest storms that
began today.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Alta |
49 |
61% |
32% |
Snowbird SNOTEL |
40 |
56% |
8% |
Brighton/Solitude |
37 |
51% |
9% |
Park City (mid estimate) |
19 |
43% |
2% |
Snowbasin |
19 |
39% |
9% |
Brian Head |
26 |
62% |
24% |
Northern and Central Colorado: Early snowmaking openings were A-Basin Oct. 29, Keystone Nov. 1, Eldora and Winter Park.
Nov. 3. November snowfall was less than half normal and open terrain is limited. The upcoming Northwest storms should be 1-2 feet and
probably more at Steamboat.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
A-Basin |
10 |
23% |
3% |
Beaver Creek |
15 |
27% |
4% |
Breckenridge |
16 |
34% |
9% |
Copper Mt. |
19 |
40% |
5% |
Keystone |
19 |
47% |
9% |
Loveland |
18 |
34% |
7% |
Steamboat |
25 |
40% |
2% |
Vail |
24 |
40% |
14% |
Winter Park |
27 |
46% |
8% |
Southern and Western Colorado: November snowfall was about half normal. Next week's snowfall is expected over a foot at areas
with northwest flow, but less than a foot farther south. Wolf Creek is 60% open but on a low tide 2 foot base.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Aspen/Snowmass |
29 |
78% |
8% |
Gothic Snow Lab |
22 |
43% |
N/A |
Crested Butte |
24 |
64% |
11% |
Monarch |
15 |
36% |
TBD |
Telluride |
24 |
57% |
1% |
Purgatory |
20 |
50% |
18% |
Wolf Creek |
35 |
59% |
60% |
Taos |
22 |
46% |
5% |
Northeast: The season started slowly through Thanksgiving. Most of November's snow came in the last week to open more
trails. Percents open: Okemo 19%, Hunter 13%, Sunday River 11%, Sugarloaf 12%, Tremblant 20%, St. Anne 23%.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Jay Peak (mid estimate) |
64 |
129% |
36% |
Stowe |
35 |
124% |
39% |
Sugarbush |
35 |
106% |
49% |
Killington |
25 |
84% |
23% |
Stratton |
12 |
52% |
35% |
Whiteface |
5 |
30% |
16% |
Cannon |
11 |
76% |
15% |
Le Massif |
28 |
91% |
16% |
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