2019-20 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 8, 2019

October 2019 was exceptionally cold in the Northern Rockies of both US and Canada. There were several small storms in northern regions and particularly in Colorado. The first half of November was bone dry in the western US with no area receiving more than 3 inches snow and most getting zero. Threfore most October snow melted out and is not included in the table of snow totals below. During the third week of November a moderate 1-2 foot storm came mostly through the Southwest while a few inches fell in some northern regions. During Thanksgiving week a strong storm dumped 2-4 feet in California and 4-6 feet in Utah. During the first week of December California got another 3-4 feet and much of western Canada 2 feet with other regions averaging no more than a foot though the most California recent storm is moving into the Rockies. The Northwest and northern Rockies remain seriously deficient in snow.

California: Mt. Rose opened its beginner lift weekends starting Oct. 25 and Mammoth opened Nov. 9. The first natural Sierra snow Nov. 20 was only 2-6 inches but 2-3 feet fell this week with another 2-3 feet predicted this weekend. Open terrain is limited now but I would expect most intermediate runs and some high elevation advanced terrain to open within a week. 3-4 feet during the first week of December have brought Mammoth close to full operation with the most open terrain in North America. Most terrain at Tahoe over 7,500 feet should also be open soon with current base depths of 3-5 feet. Late November snowfall was 3-4 feet in Southern California (since degraded by rain) and 6 feet in Arizona, close to full operation. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: In October Hood Meadows had 31 inches snow and Mt. Bachelor had 13 inches but the base melted out by mid-November. Late November snow averaged 2 feet in Oregon declining to less than a foot farther north. This was the driest November on record at Whistler and in Seattle. This region is a full month behind schedule, which calls for deferring advance commitments until at least mid-January. Mt. Baker and Stevens Pass are still closed.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was widespread in this region but November snowfall was significant only well north of the US border. Lake Louise opened a week early on November 1, and had the most terrain open in North America in November. The entire region averaged two feet in early December, though BC areas near the US border are still a couple of weeks behind schedule.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Grand Targhee had 40 inches October snowfall but postponed opening to November 29 due to the dry month. Late November snow was about 2 feet in Wyoming and Sun Valley but less than a foot elsewhere. About a foot of snow hs fallen in early December. Advanced commitments in this region should be deferred until there is more snow, particularly areas near the Canada border.

Utah: The October cold reached as far south as Utah, setting records near the end of the month. The Snowbird SNOTEL's 40 inches of October snowfall shrunk to a 9 inch base before a few inches fell during the third week of November. The Thanksgiving week storm dumped 4-6 feet, bringing early season base depths to 3-5 feet. More terrain opened in early December once snow was stabilized plus up to a foot of new snow.

Northern and Central Colorado: Early openings on snowmaking were A-Basin Oct. 11, Keystone Oct. 12 and Loveland Oct. 25. Most of the 3+ feet of October snow was lost during the dry first half of November so open terrain since Thanksgiving is below average on base depths averaging a bit under 2 feet after average snowfall during the second half of the month and less than a foot during early December.

Southern and Western Colorado: The Rocky Mountain Biological Lab at Gothic (between Crested Butte and Aspen) had 20 inches October snowfall but lost its base during the dry first half of November. Wolf Creek had 22 inches October snowfall and Monarch 38 inches, so both opened by Nov. 1. The Southwest was the region most favored during the third week of November plus about 3 feet of snow during the ensuing two weeks. Base depths average 3 feet.

Northeast: The first openings were Killington Nov. 3, Mt. St. Sauveur Nov. 8 and Sunday River Nov. 9. Early November weather was favorably cold but there was mixed precipitation late in the month. Terrain expanded some in early December with 1.5 feet of new snow. Percents open: Hunter 60%, Okemo 43%, Sunday River 44% and Sugarloaf 25%, Tremblant 47%, St. Anne 30%.

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