2025-26 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 9, 2025

Mid-October 2025 saw widespread moderate snowfall. Late October and early November storms were confined to northern regions, with the most snow in western Canada. There was not an inch of snow south of Oregon/Wyoming during the first half of November. Third week of November storms spread from California into the Southwest but much of it was warm with a high rain/snow line. Snowfall totals in italics are estimates from Open Snow. Due to the very lean November, October snowfall is excluded from totals below. Delayed openings at areas like Alta, Snowbird, Grand Targhee, Palisades and Mt. Bachelor were red flags for December commitments nearly everywhere in the western U.S. Utah and Colorado had decent storms during the first week of December, but not enough to save Christmas with the next 10 days predicted dry. Farther north in the U.S there are storms but nearly all rain in the Northwest and rain/snow mix farther inland. Only a western few U.S areas have any natural snow terrain open and even those have base depths of 3 feet maximum. For the next month western destination skiing is recommended only in Canada, with most U.S. areas likely expecting the worst holiday season since 1976-77.

California: The November storm had a rain/snow line about 9,000 feet, so only Mt. Rose and Heavenly are barely open at Tahoe. Mammoth opened 30% Nov. 20 with snow after the rain at Main Lodge and a 3+ foot base above 10,000 feet. Arizona Snowbowl was the big winner, opening 63% by Nov. 22. Since then it has been bone dry with warming temps and no relief in sight. Tahoe looks like a near wipeout for Christmas. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: Rain/snow lines in November have been high with almost no snow in Oregon and rain diminishing Washington's, so all areas in those states remain closed. The Whistler alpine base is deep but the top Peak and Glacier lifts have not yet opened. Whistler is getting mostly rain below mid-mountain.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: As in the Northwest lower elevations got a lot of rain, but this region is in by far the best shape in December with ongoing storms. The Banff areas are high and cold enough to avoid all the rain, while Panorama and Kicking Horse avoid most of it.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Most areas got 2-3 feet in early December after a very dry November. The region is on the southern edge of current warm storms with high rain/snow lines and then it will be warm and dry. Open terrain is limited.

Utah: Brian Head caught the edge of the November California/Arizona storm and was the only area to open in November. Wasatch openings were delayed until 2+ feet fell in early December. Terrain is mostly limited to runs with a manmade base.

Northern and Central Colorado: The first snowmaking openings were A-Basin (1%) and Keystone (3%) Oct. 26 and Winter Park (3%) Oct. 31. 2+ feet fell in early December but open terrain is nearly all on manmade. Snowmaking may open more runs here due to cooler temperatures than some other regions.

Southern and Western Colorado: The November California/Arizona storm made it to Wolf Creek, so the early December snow opened the whole area on a 31-38 inch base. Elsewhere open runs are mostly manmade.

Northeast: No one opened during October in New England or eastern Canada but cold and snow arrived in November. Snowfalls were heavist in northern Vermont with more mixed precipitation farther south and east. St. Sauveur opened Nov. 9 and Killington and Sunday River Nov. 12. 1.5 - 2 feet of early December snow have opened the most runs this early since 2018. Percents open: Okemo 21%, Hunter 34%, Sunday River 26%, Sugarloaf 20%, Tremblant 25%.

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