2021-22 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 11, 2021

October 2021 precipitation was heavy along the West Coast, though mostly with very high rain/snow lines. The Oct. 24-25 storm opened Mammoth and Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) on Oct. 29. Substantial snow also accumulated in the Whistler alpine. November was unusually warm, plus drier than normal in many regions. The Northwest was stormy but with more rain than snow. Late November storms opened over half the terrain at the Banff areas. Revelstoke and Kicking Horse attained 5+ foot bases, which delivered good December skiing when they opened.

The warm temperatures delayed snowmaking and postponed some scheduled opening dates in the western US. Delayed opening dates are a red flag for early season skiing, particularly since the dry weather continued for a week into December. This situation would often restrict skiing through the holidays, but major storms are predicted next week which could wipe out November's snow deficit for some areas. Due to the November weather, October snowfall is not included in season totals other than a few places where October was material to early November open terrain.

California: There were small snowfalls in mid-October. A major atmospheric river dumped several inches of rain up to 10,000 feet before dumping 3+ feet of heavy snow Oct. 24-25. On Oct. 29 Mammoth opened 22% of terrain and Palisades Tahoe 13% but only for 3 days. It was warm in November with 7-11 inches new snow above 8,000 feet and most snow melting out lower down. Only Mammoth remained open while no Tahoe areas preserved or made enough snow to open in November. Limited terrain opened last week with 6-10 inches snow plus cold temperatures. Fortunately the Sierra will be in the bull's eye next week with 4-7 feet of snow expected, setting up a good holiday season. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: The entire month of October was very wet but the rain/snow line was high. November continued the warm but wet pattern. A solid snowpack of 51 inches accmulated at 6,000 feet at both Whistler and Blackcomb in November, with another 2 feet falling so far in December. Mt. Baker got 4 feet of snow mid-November but heavy rain reduced its base to 14 inches. No Washington or Oregon areas opened in November. Major storms have started this weekend and should total 2-4 feet over the next few days.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was average and the Banff areas opened a week into November. November snowfall ranged from 3 feet in the Okanagan to 7+ feet at Revelstoke/Kicking Horse and Banff. 2-3 feet have fallen so far in December, so this remains the overall top region for the holiday season. Sun Peaks is 61% open and Silver Star 67%.

U. S. Northern Rockies: November snowfall was well below average. The lower interior Northwest areas had mostly rain in November but have had 2+ feet of snow so far in December. Idaho should get the most snow from the upcoming storms. Big Sky is 7% open and Sun Valley 6%, mostly on snowmaking.

Utah: Utah had well above average October snowfall, but it was gradual so no one opened and it melted out below 8,000 feet. November tied for driest in the 42 years of Alta Collins records at 22 inches. For the Cottonwood areas only a residual base from October is added to snow totals. Last week 2+ feet of snow fell in the Cottonwoods but less than half as much elsewhere. More snow is expected next week.

Northern and Central Colorado: October and November snowfalls were modest, so the openings (A-Basin Oct. 17, Keystone Oct. 23 and Loveland Oct. 31) were all less than 2% open. No areas were as much as 10% open at the end of November. About 1.5 feet of snow fell late last week. More snow is expected next week, but not as much as in the other western regions.

Southern and Western Colorado: November snowfall was less than half normal. Wolf Creek has been open since the end of October but ended November with a 14 inch base. Last week's storm dumped up to 3 feet in the San Juans and fully opened Wolf Creek. Taos is 6% open. Next week's snow is predicted to be more than northern Colorado but less than areas farther west.

Northeast: No one reported new snow in New England or eastern Canada until the second weekend of November. Killington opened Nov. 6. Cold weather and some snow in late November and early December opened about a quarter of terrain. However it is raining this weekend and another warm storm is expected later next week. Percents open: Okemo 24%, Hunter 24%, Sunday River 30%, Sugarloaf 13%, Tremblant 30%, Ste. Anne 27%

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