2018-19 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 15, 2018

Colorado had some early snow opening Wolf Creek October 13 and assisting the Loveland and A-Basin openings a week later. In early November it snowed across the northern Rockies but strongest around the Continental Divide in Colorado. There was widespread snowfall over most the West the last two weeks of November. Thus the season got off to a strong start in the Northeast and in some western regions and was only seriously deficient in the Pacific Northwest. There was moderate snow from California to Colorado during the first week of December but mostly dry farther north. Second week of December storms hit the Northwest and western Canada and any snow over the next week is likely to be in the same regions. So now no regions are seriously deficient in snow, but there are still some ski areas where expert terrain is unlikely to be open for the holidays. The leading areas for the upcoming holidays in terms of abundant snow and open terrain are Big Sky, Bridger and Grand Targhee in the Northern Rockies and nearly everywhere in northern and central Colorado. Also close to full operation are Alta, Mammoth, Kirkwood and Whistler.

Snowfall totals below are since November 1 except for a few areas which opened early or with snowpacks that indicate substantial snow in October.

California: Mt. Rose opened opened its 200 vertical beginner lift most weekends since Oct. 19. Mammoth delayed its snowmaking opening from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10. There was no natural snow until 1.5 - 2 feet fell over Thanksgiving weekend and 2-3 feet the last weekend of November. After another foot of snow in early December, base depths are 3-4 feet. Mammoth and Kirkwood are in full operation with most other areas over half open. Open terrain is likely to remain stable into the holidays with a few inches of snow expected soon but another dry week after that. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: The region had just a few inches in October and almost none in November until Thanksgiving week. Late November brought 2 feet of snow in Washington and 3 feet in Oregon. Open terrain was very limited through the first week of December, with Whistler having the least open on Dec. 1 in over 20 years. During the second week of December it dumped 6 feet at Whistler and Mt. Baker and 2-3 feet farther south.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: There was widespread scattered snowfall in both October and November. The most snow fell between Revelstoke and Banff with lesser amounts farther south and west. The Banff and Okanagan regions got significant terrain open early, but other areas were more restricted. The first week of December was dry but 1-2 feet fell during the second week. Silver Star is 95% open and Sun Peaks 82%.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Central Montana got off to an excellent start with Discovery 21% open on Nov. 16 and half open for Thanksgiving. Bridger opened for Thanksgiving, two weeks ahead of schedule. Big Sky is 86% open with a 26-40 inch base. Wyoming's start was above average but Idaho and the interior Northwest were well below average. The Tetons had snow up to a foot the first week of December while the previously deficient Interior Northwest improved with up to 2 feet during the second week.

Utah: Utah had 2+ feet of early October snow but it only snowed a foot from mid-October up to Thanksgiving. During the rest of November it snowed 4 feet in the Cottonwoods and lesser amounts elsewhere. 2+ foot of early December snow opened the majority of terrain in the Cottonwoods, but skiing is still more limited at other areas and likely to remain so into the holidays at Park City.

Northern and Central Colorado: Cold early October weather and scattered snow allowed Loveland and A-Basin to open October 19. In late October/early November it snowed 4+ feet over much of this region. Ongoing modest snowfalls led to a well above average Thanksgiving including early openings of Vail's original Back Bowl and Horseshoe/Imperial Bowl at Breckenridge. Another foot of snow in late November opened more terrain by Dec. 1 than is usually open by Dec. 15, including 46% at A-Basin. Two feet of snow in the first half of December has continued to open more terrain. This is the standout region of the early season and will have excellent conditions over the holidays. A-Basin is now 84% open, second highest for mid-December in 24 years.

Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek opened October 13 after a 30-inch storm. November's snow was below average, though most of it came late in the month. There was 1+ foot of early December snow but not much since then. Wolf Creek's and Aspen/Snowmass have had the most snow. Elsewhere much of the steep terrain is not likely to open before January. Taos is 45% open.

Northeast: Killington and Sunday River opened on snowmaking October 19. November through Thanksgiving was much colder than normal with some snow. Thus open terrain at Thanksgiving was similar to a week into December of an average year. 2-3 feet of late November snow brought open terrain to record highs for Dec. 1 across the Northeast with many areas also setting November snowfall records. Rain on Dec. 2 cut most trail counts by half but there has been ongoing recovery with ensuing cold weather, particularly in northern Vermont with 2+ feet of new snow. There is another short warm spell this weekend producing some variable surfaces, but the snowpack and open terrain remain excellent for mid-December. Percents open: Okemo 72%, Hunter 51%, Sunday River 47%, Sugarloaf 62%, Tremblant 75%, Mont St. Anne 80%.

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