2023-24 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 9, 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 before December was 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 series of storms hit the Pacific Northwest during the first week of December, extending inland to the northern and central Rockies. Low altitude resorts had a lot of rain along with the snow. Alta and Targhee are the only areas over half open on 4+ foot bases. Most areas are running about two weeks behind schedule with base depths and open terrain similar to an average Thanksgiving. Advance commitments to many western destinations should be deferred to at least January if possible, particularly those currently with 25% or less open terrain. The next week is forecast mostly dry.

California: November storms were only a few inches so skiing is very limited and only on manmade. Early December snow was as much as a foot only NW of Tahoe and above 8,000 feet. This region should be avoided indefinitely until there is much more snow. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: Only Whistler opened a modest 7% at Thanksgiving, while all other areas delayed opening. December storms so far have dumped 2-3+ feet of snow, but also 4-5 inches of rain. Today's new snow is also expected to turn to rain tomorrow. Base depths are in the 2 foot range except likely much more in the Whistler alpine, still speculative since it's not open yet.

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. Revelstoke opened today but Red and Whitewater are still not open. Last week Fernie and Revelstoke got 3 feet of snow but also low elevation rain. Open terrain expanded the most at Banff and Kicking Horse, which got 2 feet of snow and no rain.

U. S. Northern Rockies: November snowfall was less than half normal with the usual exception of Targhee. During early December 3-4 feet of snow fell in the Tetons, bringing Targhee's base to 58 inches. About 2 feet fell farther north with considerable rain below 6,000 feet.

Utah: November snowfall was about half normal and Alta's opening was delayed one week, but it's in good shape now on a 73 inch base after 6 feet of snow in early December. Other Utah areas got 3-4 feet and have bases under 4 feet so open terrain remains limited.

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 so Thanksgiving was very limited. Early December snowfall was 3+ feet at the high snowfall areas Steamboat, Vail and Winter Park and averaged 2 feet elsewhere. The former areas are more likely to be in majority operation for the holidays.

Southern and Western Colorado: November snowfall was about half normal. Early December snowfall exceeded expectations with over 2 feet at most areas, though only a foot south of the San Juans. Wolf Creek and Monarch are 70+% open but on low tide 2 foot bases.

Northeast: The season started slowly through Thanksgiving. Most of November's snow came in the last week to open more trails. Northern Vermont got over a foot in early December, though farther south there was more rain. Percents open: Okemo 28%, Hunter 16%, Sunday River 27%, Sugarloaf 39%, Tremblant 32%, St. Anne 30%.

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