2010-11 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 15, 2010

October snowfall was above average, with a widespread storm through the Northwest and much of the Rockies during its last week. Snow from this storm is included in season totals for many areas as it contributed to the strong early season conditions and to some areas advancing their opening dates. Mid-November snow was abundant in Utah's Cottonwood Canyons and Front Range Colorado and followed up by a major storm in the Sierra that also pushed into the Rockies. Since I began keeping detailed records 14 years ago only 1996-97 had as many areas with Thanksgiving conditions this good. Snowfall after Thanksgiving was primarily in the Pacific Northwest and U.S. Northern Rockies but also in northern Utah and Colorado. This trend has continued into mid-December but has included some warm weather with high rain/snow lines. But recent and predicted storms are mostly snow.

California: October's snow was just a few inches, not material to the season. After about a foot in early November the Sierra had a 4 day storm in mid-November of 5-10 feet and another foot over Thanksgiving weekend. Base depths are in the 3-6 foot range because that storm had drier than normal snow, and more snow is needed for some expert terrain. There have been some December storms but with occasional rain as high as 9,000 feet. Substantial storms predicted for this weekend should get nearly all terrain open by Christmas. 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	165	177%	75%
Northstar	128	203%	90%
Mt. Rose	123	170%	67%
Kirkwood	221	227%	80%
Mammoth	119	155%	90%
Southern Cal	6	36%	0-57%

Pacific Northwest: Before Thanksgiving Oregon got off to a strong start while Washington State and Whistler were slightly above average. Since Thanksgiving there has been about 5-7 feet of snow throughout the region with fluctuuating temps but all snow in the most recent storm. Mt. Baker is 90% open and Hood Meadows 90% open on 5 foot bases. The Whistler alpine opened Dec. 4.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Whistler	153	135%	74%
Crystal Mt.	132	133%	88%
Stevens Pass	116	98%	73%
Mt. Bachelor	185	186%	100%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: November snowfall was high along the U.S. border but only about average farther north. This trend continued into early December, with Fernie being the standout area of the region so far. Over the past week most western Canadian ski areas have had at least 2 feet of snow. Big White is 65% open, Silver Star 90% and Sun Peaks 72% on 3-4 foot bases. The Banff areas were lagging until last week, but are now closer to average. Some advanced terrain is not likely to open until after the holidays with current base depths in the 2-3 foot range.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Lake Louise	52	107%	50%
Sunshine	52	78%	62%
Revelstoke	102	91%	92%
Kicking Horse	92	119%	71%
Whitewater	112	115%	72%
Red Mt.	86	123%	est. 50%
Fernie	130	141%	93%
Castle Mt.	80	117%	70%

U. S. Northern Rockies: The Tetons had 39 inches in October and were also hit by the mid- November storms, so Jackson opened early on November 27. With 3 feet of snow since Thanksgiving Jackson and Targhee had the most snow on record for early December. Then thre was some rain up to 8,000 feet but there has been 2+ feet of snow in the past week throughout the region, which is continuing its strong start. Big Sky is 63% open.

Utah: There was new snow 5 of the 6 weeks since late October in the Cottonwood Canyons, leading to majority of terrain open by Thanksgiving. These areas have 5-6 foot bases. Other Wasatch areas have bases in the 4 foot range with some but not all advanced terrain open. Last week's snow was high density but rain reached only to 8,000 feet.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Alta	164	132%	100%
Snowbird	170	161%	95%
Brighton/Solitude	151	129%	95%
Park City	93	129%	71%
Snowbasin	92	127%	47%
Brian Head	86	118%	92%

Northern and Central Colorado: This region is off to a great start with snow every week since late October. Loveland and A-Basin opened their first snowmaking runs about a week later than usual but were helped by the late October storm. Most areas were over half open at Thanksgiving, the highest percents open in the 22 years of data I have for Breckenridge and Copper and 2nd highest for Vail. The other areas are all at least in the top quarter of early seasons. Vail opened Blue Sky Basin Dec. 4 and most areas are 80+% open now.

Southern and Western Colorado: Snowfall has been close to average along the western part of I-70 but somewhat below average in southern Colorado. Wolf Creek is fully open but its base of 2 feet is less than half normal for this time. Purgatory is 45% open. Taos is only 7% open and Arizona and New Mexico should be avoided until they get substantial snow.

Northeast: There was natural snow in mid-October, 25 inches at Stowe and 16 at Killington. November was warmer than normal in the Northeast with very little new snow, so snowmaking leaders Sunday River and Killington were 13% open at Thanksgiving but other Northeast areas open were under 10%. Conditions are slowly improving with 2-3 feet new snow in early December. More is expected this week but it rained on Monday so open terrain is still limited. Current percents open: Sunday River 32%, Sugarloaf 22%, Okemo 42%, Stratton 49%, Whiteface 34%, Hunter 71%, Tremblant 24%, Ste. Anne 31%. I strongly recommend checking First Tracks Online Ski Magazine No-Bull Ski Reports for up to date information in this region, where both weather and surface conditions can change so rapidly.

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