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% |
All content herein copyright © 1996-2013 Bestsnow.net
All Rights Reserved.
No copies or reproductions may be made in whole or in part without express permission by Tony Crocker.
Prices for commercial users will be determined based upon intended use and distribution.