2019-20 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 15, 2019

October 2019 was exceptionally cold in the Northern Rockies of both US and Canada. There were several small storms in northern regions and particularly in Colorado. The first half of November was bone dry in the western US with no area receiving more than 3 inches snow and most getting zero. Threfore most October snow melted out and is not included in the table of snow totals below. During the third week of November a moderate 1-2 foot storm came mostly through the Southwest while a few inches fell in some northern regions. During Thanksgiving week a strong storm dumped 2-4 feet in California and 4-6 feet in Utah. During the first week of December California got another 3-4 feet and much of western Canada 2 feet with other regions averaging no more than a foot. There was scattered snow over most of the West during the second week of December with the most falling (2-3 feet) in Utah and Colorado.

California: Mt. Rose opened its beginner lift weekends starting Oct. 25 and Mammoth opened Nov. 9. The first natural Sierra snow Nov. 20 was only 2-6 inches but 2-3 feet fell over Thanksgiving with another 2-3 feet later that weekend. 3-4 feet during the first week of December brought Mammoth to full operation with the most open terrain in North America. Most terrain at Tahoe over 8,000 feet is open with base depths of 4-6 feet but rain has washed out much of the snow below 7,000 feet. Late November snowfall was 3-4 feet in Southern California (since degraded by rain) and 6 feet in Arizona, in full operation by early December. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: In October Hood Meadows had 31 inches snow and Mt. Bachelor had 13 inches but the base melted out by mid-November. Late November snow averaged 2 feet in Oregon declining to less than a foot farther north. This was the driest November on record at Whistler and in Seattle. Despite 2 feet in the first half of December, this region is a full month behind schedule, which calls for deferring advance commitments until at least mid-January. Mt. Baker opened Dec. 14 and Stevens Pass is still closed. More terrain opened this week, but it's low tide with base depths under 3 feet.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was widespread in this region but November snowfall was significant only well north of the US border. Lake Louise opened a week early on November 1, and had the most terrain open in North America in November. Most areas have received 2-3 feet in the first half of December, though BC areas near the US border are still a couple of weeks behind schedule. Base depths are 3-4 feet. Silver Star is 88% open and Sun Peaks is 45% open.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Grand Targhee had 40 inches October snowfall but postponed opening to November 29 due to the dry month. Late November snow was about 2 feet in Wyoming and Sun Valley but less than a foot elsewhere. First half of December snow has been 3 feet in the Tetons and 2 feet farther north. Base depths are 4 feet in the Tetons but only 2-3 feet farther north. Big Sky is 61% open. The areas near the Canada border will likely be thin until after the holidays.

Utah: The October cold reached as far south as Utah, setting records near the end of the month. The Snowbird SNOTEL's 40 inches of October snowfall shrunk to a 9 inch base before a few inches fell during the third week of November. The Thanksgiving week storm dumped 4-6 feet, bringing early season base depths to 3-5 feet. More terrain opened in early December once snow was stabilized plus up to a foot of new snow. 3 feet of snow the second week of December has opened most terrain in the Cottonwoods on a 5-6 foot base.

Northern and Central Colorado: Early openings on snowmaking were A-Basin Oct. 11, Keystone Oct. 12 and Loveland Oct. 25. Most of the 3+ feet of October snow was lost during the dry first half of November so open terrain from Thanksgiving into early December was below average on base depths averaging a bit under 2 feet after average snowfall during the second half of November and less than a foot during early December. Three feet of snow has fallen Dec. 12-14. Base depths of close to 4 feet are now above average though open terrain is below average, likely due to unstable snow. Expect more terrain open soon.

Southern and Western Colorado: The Rocky Mountain Biological Lab at Gothic (between Crested Butte and Aspen) had 20 inches October snowfall but lost its base during the dry first half of November. Wolf Creek had 22 inches October snowfall and Monarch 38 inches, so both opened by Nov. 1. The Southwest was the region most favored during the third week of November plus about 3 feet of snow during the ensuing two weeks. The recent storm averaged 2 feet at most areas but 4 feet at Monarch. Base depths are 3-4 feet at most areas and 5 feet at Wolf Creek and Monarch.

Northeast: The first openings were Killington Nov. 3, Mt. St. Sauveur Nov. 8 and Sunday River Nov. 9. Early November weather was favorably cold but there was mixed precipitation late in the month. Terrain expanded some in early December with 1.5 feet of new snow. Rain on Dec. 14 has depressed trail counts. Percents open: Hunter 58%, Okemo 42%, Sunday River 38% and Sugarloaf 2%, Tremblant 25%, St. Anne 15%.

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