2023-24 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 1, 2023

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: November 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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