There was a widespread western storm at the start of October, but that snow is gone. Snow from a late October storm of 1+ foot in some of the West probably persists in well preserved locations or those with good November snow. November snowfall was below average in the western coastal regions but well above average at many areas in the Rockies. Most western areas got 1-2 feet in early December. Wolf Creek, Targhee, Whitewater and Fernie are the standout areas so far in snowfall and base depths. A cold storm is moving from California into the central Rockies this weekend and a major storm is expected in the Northwest next week. Snow totals for the rest of the season reports will exclude October for most areas, though for some whose online reporting starts at area opening it's not possible to separate it out.
California: Minimal snow was left from 2 October storms after the first 3 dry weeks in November. There was
less than one foot of snow in late November, about a foot in early December and up to 2 feet of light snow is likely from this
weekend's storm. Open terrain in the Sierra is currently limited to a few snowmaking runs, but should expand some next week.
Further major storms will be needed in order to open advanced terrain in time for the holidays. 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 |
24 |
33% |
5% |
|
Northstar |
29.5 |
59% |
3% |
|
Mt. Rose |
28 |
51% |
16% |
|
Heavenly |
36 |
65% |
4% |
|
Kirkwood |
40 |
51% |
3% |
|
Mammoth |
29.5 |
51% |
7% |
|
Southern Cal |
7 |
58% |
0-20% |
|
Arizona Snowbowl |
35 |
97% |
15% |
Pacific Northwest: The early storm caused Crystal and Stevens to open for one day each in early October. November snowfall
was below average but there was about 2 feet last week and more is expected next week. Current base depths are
about 3 feet except for Mt. Baker's 35-53 inches.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Whistler |
56 |
59% |
37% |
|
Crystal Mt. |
68 |
83% |
35% |
|
Stevens Pass |
86 |
89% |
41% |
|
Mt. Bachelor |
55 |
69% |
21% |
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: November snow was well above average in most of this region. The Okanagan and Kootenay areas
got up to 2 feet last week. Base depths are 5 feet at the upper elevations at Revelstoke, Fernie and Whitewater. Silver Star is 91% open
and Sun Peaks 56% open on bases of about 3 feet.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Big White |
88 |
127% |
61% |
|
Lake Louise |
41 |
100% |
37% |
|
Sunshine |
68 |
123% |
56% |
|
Revelstoke |
101 |
118% |
54% |
|
Kicking Horse |
58 |
91% |
Closed |
|
Whitewater |
118 |
140% |
64% |
|
Red Mt. |
52.5 |
95% |
Dec. 14 |
|
Fernie |
115 |
154% |
89% |
|
Castle Mt. |
87 |
165% |
19% |
U. S. Northern Rockies:Targhee opened 3/4 of terrain the weekend before Thanksgiving. Elsewhere in the
region November was about average. Up to 2 feet fell last week and base depths average 3 feet. More snow is expected next week.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Grand Targhee |
120 |
136% |
98% |
|
Jackson Hole |
80 |
106% |
40% |
|
Whitefish |
72 |
111% |
33% |
|
Bridger |
53 |
41% |
60% |
|
Schweitzer |
62 |
111% |
45% |
|
Sun Valley |
30 |
75% |
20% |
Utah: The Wasatch got the early October storm but it melted out. November snowfall was half of normal,
but last week's storm and this weekend's should total 3+ feet in the Cottonwood areas, where base depths are about 3 feet.
Skiing is still limited elsewhere with base depths around 2 feet.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Alta |
68 |
64% |
57% |
|
Snowbird |
67 |
79% |
19% |
|
Brighton/Solitude |
67 |
67% |
64% |
|
Park City group |
54 |
94% |
12% |
|
Snowbasin |
54 |
87% |
20% |
|
Brian Head |
46 |
79% |
10% |
Northern and Central Colorado: A-Basin and Loveland opened their first snowmaking runs on October 13 and 14.
This region is slightly above average in open terrain, far behind 3 years ago though of course far ahead of the past
two poor starts. Base depths are in the 2.5 foot range after a foot new last week and A-Basin is 27% open. Some areas are
reporting snow totals including early October snow that I exclude below.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Breckenridge |
59 |
102% |
43% |
|
Copper Mt. |
49 |
85% |
22% |
|
Keystone |
38 |
81% |
35% |
|
Loveland |
76 |
115% |
24% |
|
Steamboat |
81 |
103% |
55% |
|
Vail |
73 |
98% |
27% |
|
Winter Park |
70 |
89% |
53% |
Southern and Western Colorado: Early October snow melted out, but late October snow was built upon in November. A strong
southern storm came through during the week before Thanksgiving, followed by another 1.5 feet in early December, so base depths
are well above average at 3.5 feet, and 5.5 feet at Wolf Creek. Taos had its best opening since 1996-97.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Gothic Snow Lab |
70 |
104% |
N/A |
|
Aspen/Snowmass |
76 |
163% |
59% |
|
Crested Butte |
73 |
157% |
25% |
|
Telluride |
77 |
151% |
51% |
|
Durango |
83 |
166% |
70% |
|
Wolf Creek |
130 |
180% |
100% |
|
Taos |
78 |
136% |
48% |
Northeast: Killington and Sunday River opened at the end of October on snowmaking. A normal amount of terrain is open
due to cold temperatures for snowmaking even though early season snowfall has been mostly below average.
Percents open: Okemo 38%, Stratton 42%, Hunter 19%, Sunday River 28%, Sugarloaf 11%, Tremblant 23%, Ste. Anne 16%
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Jay Peak (mid) |
47 |
103% |
19% |
|
Stowe |
48 |
91% |
41% |
|
Sugarbush |
29 |
65% |
18% |
|
Killington |
22 |
54% |
26% |
|
Cannon Mt. |
2 |
9% |
15% |
|
Whiteface |
20 |
55% |
22% |
|
Le Massif |
12 |
31% |
15% |
All content herein copyright © 1996-2013 Bestsnow.net
All Rights Reserved.
No copies or reproductions may be made in whole or in part without express permission by Tony Crocker.
Prices for commercial users will be determined based upon intended use and distribution.