In most ski regions this was a warmer and drier than normal October and early November. However, there was substantial snowfall in the northern and central Rockies in the rest of November to put the season on a normal track in many regions. Open terrain for Thanksgiving was mostly on snowmaking but with some natural base at many areas. The first half of December has been mostly dry in the Rockies so only a few western areas are now above average in season snowfall.
California: The first Sierra winter storm hit November
1-2. Tahoe ski areas got 3-8 inches. The storm track was centered
farther south so Mammoth got 12 inches. Unfortunately the next
week was record warm, and the next storm missed Mammoth and
was mostly rain at Tahoe. There have been two storms so far in December, both
in the 1-2 foot range with a similar storm expected next week. Snowfall has been
concentrated near the Sierra Crest west of Lake Tahoe, with lesser amounts
at the resorts near and east of the lake. The latter resorts should probably
be avoided until January. 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 |
71 |
79% |
18% |
|
Northstar |
18 |
30% |
21% |
|
Mt. Rose |
48 |
71% |
56% |
|
Sierra-at-Tahoe |
34 |
47% |
37% |
|
Heavenly |
20 |
30% |
3% |
|
Mammoth |
48.5 |
69% |
35% |
|
Southern Cal |
10 |
64% |
0-10% |
Pacific Northwest: Whistler and Mt. Bachelor have excellent bases at high
elevation. Bachelor's Summit opened today and the Whistler alpine lifts are also open.
Other Northwest areas remain closed due to excessive rain and not enough snow at
low elevation.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Whistler |
82 |
74% |
40% |
|
Crystal Mt. |
30 |
31% |
Closed |
|
Stevens Pass |
47 |
40% |
Closed |
|
Mt. Bachelor |
76 |
80% |
43% |
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: There is quite a bit of terrain
open in this region though most base depths are in the 2-3 foot range.
Silver Star is 60% open and Sun Peaks is 42% open. Revelstoke looks
like the standout with a 4 foot base in full operation.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Big White |
44 |
57% |
41% |
|
Lake Louise |
50 |
107% |
87% |
|
Sunshine |
67 |
104% |
70% |
|
Revelstoke |
99 |
101% |
100% |
|
Kicking Horse |
81 |
113% |
61% |
|
Whitewater |
80 |
86% |
13% |
|
Red Mt. |
56 |
86% |
Closed |
|
Fernie |
65 |
73% |
28% |
|
Castle Mt. |
48 |
76% |
Closed |
U. S. Northern Rockies: There were several storms in
November in Wyoming and Montana. there has not been a lot of December snow
except for Sun Valley getting snow from the south. Big Sky is 28% open.
Idaho skiing aside from Sun Valley and high altitude Pomerelle is limited.
The Tetons have the same 3-4 foot base as at the end of November, above average
then but below average now.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Grand Targhee |
91 |
85% |
77% |
|
Jackson Hole |
80 |
89% |
77% |
|
Schweitzer |
32 |
48% |
7% |
|
Sun Valley |
49 |
105% |
45% |
Utah: The season started dry but the Cottonwood areas got a mid-November 3 foot dump.
Other areas did not get so much and are less than 10% open mostly on snowmaking. Only Alta is
close to full operation now. The areas outside the Cottonwoods should be avoided until after
the holidays.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Alta |
73 |
51% |
95% |
|
Snowbird |
74 |
68% |
31% |
|
Brighton/Solitude |
58 |
50% |
55% |
|
Park City group |
34 |
51% |
9% |
|
Snowbasin |
30 |
42% |
8% |
|
Brian Head |
32 |
48% |
4% |
Northern and Central Colorado: A-Basin opened one
snowmaking run on October 17 and is now 31% open. Most of
was stormy in this region, so much more terrain than usual was open for
Thanksgiving. However, there has been little snow the first half of December
(though about half a foot is likely this weekend),
so base depths are in the 2 foot range. This means that advanced terrain
will be limited over the holidays unless there is more snow.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Beaver Creek |
73 |
93% |
45% |
|
Breckenridge |
89 |
128% |
49% |
|
Copper Mt. |
80 |
119% |
52% |
|
Keystone |
66 |
121% |
67% |
|
Loveland |
70 |
91% |
19% |
|
Steamboat |
72.5 |
82% |
30% |
|
Vail |
78 |
90% |
82% |
|
Winter Park |
73.5 |
83% |
44% |
Southern and Western Colorado: November snowfall was above average
north but below average south. Open terrain lags the Front Range areas, except
at Wolf Creek, where the base is a thin 18-23 inches. Taos is 13% open.
Base depths in the 2 foot range mean that advanced terrain
will be limted over the holidays unless there is more snow. Fortunately about
a foot is predicted this weekend.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Aspen/Snowmass |
54 |
99% |
41% |
|
Gothic Snow Lab |
66.5 |
85% |
N/A |
|
Crested Butte |
55 |
101% |
33% |
|
Telluride |
65 |
108% |
17% |
|
Durango |
18 |
31% |
11% |
|
Wolf Creek |
46 |
54% |
70% |
Northeast: October was too warm for any areas to open
by the end of the month. November was good for snowmaking but
there has been intermittent rain along with some snow late in the month.
The first half of December has been colder with 2-3 feet of snow, so
more terrain than usual is open.
Percents open: Okemo 87%, Stratton 68%, Hunter 64%, Sugarloaf
66%, Sunday River 41%, Tremblant 34%, Mt. St. Anne 41%.
|
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
|
Jay Peak (mid) |
74 |
123% |
74% |
|
Stowe |
81 |
113% |
72% |
|
Sugarbush |
70 |
126% |
66% |
|
Killington |
54 |
106% |
92% |
|
Cannon Mt. |
36 |
129% |
54% |
|
Whiteface |
53 |
118% |
51% |
|
Le Massif |
70 |
141% |
50% |
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