2013-14 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 14, 2013

There was a widespread western storm at the start of October, but that snow is gone. Snow from a late October storm of 1+ foot in some of the West probably persists in well preserved locations or those with good November snow. November snowfall was below average in the western coastal regions but well above average at many areas in the Rockies. Most western areas got 1-2 feet in early December, but the last week has been mostly dry with a few more days expected with little new snow. Heading into the holidays the Southwest and the Okanagan and Kootenay regions of western Canada are in the best shape, along with regional leaders Targhee and Steamboat. Snow totals exclude October for most areas, though for some whose online reporting starts at area opening it's not possible to separate it out.

California: Minimal snow was left from 2 October storms after the first 3 dry weeks in November. There was less than one foot of snow in late November, about a foot in early December and up to 2 feet of light snow last weekend. Open terrain in the Sierra is mostly limited to snowmaking runs, and likely to remain so for another couple of weeks. The Sierra should be avoided until well after the holidays, as natural snowfall so far is quite similar to 2 years ago. 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

31

34%

6%

Northstar

35

56%

6%

Mt. Rose

30

43%

16%

Heavenly

43

62%

8%

Kirkwood

46

47%

7%

Mammoth

31.5

43%

10%

Southern Cal

8

49%

0-45%

Arizona Snowbowl

47

101%

65%

Pacific Northwest: The early storm caused Crystal and Stevens to open for one day each in early October. November snowfall was below average and there was about 2 feet in early December. There was little snow last week, though some is expected this week. Current base depths are in the 3 foot range except for Mt. Baker's 44-55 inches. Therefore open advanced terrain is much rockier than normal for this region.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Whistler

58

51%

50%

Crystal Mt.

68

68%

35%

Stevens Pass

89

79%

40%

Mt. Bachelor

56

57%

18%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: November snow was well above average in most of this region. The Okanagan and Kootenay areas have had about 3 feet so far in December and will have excellent holiday skiing. Base depths are 5 feet at the upper elevations at Revelstoke, Fernie and Whitewater. Silver Star is 92% open on a 4 foot base and Sun Peaks 86% open on a 3 foot base. Farther east is sketchier, with 3 foot bases at Sunshine and Kicking Horse and less than 2 feet at Lake Louise.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Big White

99

125%

61%

Lake Louise

47

98%

52%

Sunshine

77

117%

58%

Revelstoke

124

122%

57%

Kicking Horse

64

86%

50%

Whitewater

122

126%

90%

Red Mt.

57

84%

34%

Fernie

118

128%

89%

Castle Mt.

91

140%

73%

U. S. Northern Rockies:Targhee opened 3/4 of terrain the weekend before Thanksgiving and Whitefish shared the early storms in Canada. Elsewhere in the region November was about average. First half of December snow has been average in Montana and below average elsewhere. Base depths are 4 feet or better at Whitefish, Bridger and Targhee for likely the best holiday skiing. Idaho base depths are in the 2 foot range so terrain at most of those areas is limited.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Grand Targhee

125

114%

98%

Jackson Hole

84

91%

47%

Whitefish

87

109%

93%

Bridger

83

122%

80%

Schweitzer

64

95%

69%

Sun Valley

31

64%

25%

Utah: The Wasatch got the early October storm but it melted out. November snowfall was half of normal, and first half of December storms were 2-3 feet. Cottonwood Canyon base depths are about 3 feet. Holiday skiing will likely be limited elsewhere with current base depths around 2 feet.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Alta

78

61%

71%

Snowbird

79

77%

28%

Brighton/Solitude

74

61%

71%

Park City group

60

87%

35%

Snowbasin

63

86%

20%

Brian Head

60

85%

18%

Northern and Central Colorado: A-Basin and Loveland opened their first snowmaking runs on October 13 and 14. Early snowfall was above average but first half of December has been below average. Steamboat and Winter Park have 3+ foot bases and most terrain open, while other areas are about average for mid-December open terrain with base depths in the 2.5 foot range. A-Basin is 40% open. Some areas are reporting snow totals including early October snow that I exclude below.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Beaver Creek

67

82%

77%

Breckenridge

64

89%

52%

Copper Mt.

54

79%

47%

Keystone

41

73%

52%

Loveland

80

102%

38%

Steamboat

93.5

101%

91%

Vail

80

90%

49%

Winter Park

79

78%

71%

Southern and Western Colorado: Early October snow melted out, but late October snow was built upon in November. A strong southern storm came through during the week before Thanksgiving, followed by another 2 feet in early December, so base depths are well above average at 3.5 feet, and 5.5 feet at Wolf Creek. Taos had its best opening since 1996-97. While some expert terrain needs more snow, this region is set for a strong holiday season.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Gothic Snow Lab

88

109%

N/A

Aspen/Snowmass

84

150%

84%

Crested Butte

83

149%

30%

Telluride

82

134%

85%

Durango

98

103%

100%

Wolf Creek

151

175%

100%

Taos

90

136%

69%

Northeast: Killington and Sunday River opened at the end of October on snowmaking. November and early December were above average for snowmaking though mostly below average for snowfall. With a foot of new snow last week and more this weekend trail counts are rising. Percents open: Okemo 54%, Stratton 62%, Hunter 66%, Sunday River 40%, Sugarloaf 14%, Tremblant 52%, Ste. Anne 43%

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Jay Peak (mid)

62

99%

28%

Stowe

61

94%

62%

Sugarbush

44

77%

28%

Killington

31

59%

28%

Cannon Mt.

13

44%

36%

Whiteface

27

50%

32%

Le Massif

25

49%

29%

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