2022-23 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 16, 2022

Late October 2022 saw widespread moderate snowfall through much of the West. Some of this snowpack persisted in Utah and the Tetons as the first third of November was very snowy there as well as California. It was then mostly dry to Thanksgiving, so only Utah and the Tetons include October snowfall in the tables below. The earlier storms opened the majority of terrain at Grand Targhee, Mammoth and all 4 of Utah's Cottonwood Canyon areas on 4 foot bases. Widespread snow over most of the West in the past three weeks has opened much more terrain. While most regions will see only modest snow between now and Christmas, many areas in the Sierra, Utah and northern Rockies are already close to full operation on 4-6+ foot bases.

California: It snowed up to a foot during the first week of November, then 2+ feet at Tahoe and 4 feet at Mammoth Nov. 7-9. It snowed 3-4 feet Dec. 1-4 and another 3-4 feet Dec. 10-11. Base depths are 5-7+ feet, deepest for mid-December since 2004. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: There were three storms in late October but the last one was all rain. Early November storms started as rain but ended as snow. The Whistler alpine cams showed a considerable base Nov. 10, but opened 9% at Thanksgiving with no more new snow. After Thanksgiving it snowed 4 feet in Washington and 3 feet in Oregon with another 2-3 feet during the first half of December. Base depths are 5 feet at Mt. Baker (95% open) and 3-4 feet elsewhere.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Late October and early November snowfall was above average but it was mostly dry for the next 3 weeks. From Thanksgiving through the first week of December about 3 feet of snow fell in the Okanagan and Kootenay regions, but only half as much around Banff, which has low tide conditions. Only a few inches of snow fell last week. Okanagan and Kootenay base depths are 3-4 feet. Silver Star is 98% open and Sun Peaks 88%.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Late October/early November snowfall was 4-6 feet in the Tetons and 2-3 feet elsewhere. There was 2-3 feet after Thanksgiving and another 2-3 feet during the first half of December over most of the region. Jackson opened its tram Dec. 3, Big Sky is 78% open adn Sun Valley 79%. Base depths are 5 feet in the Tetons, 3-4 feet elsewhere, so most areas are set for an excellent holiday season.

Utah: Late October/early November snowfall of 8 feet in the Cottonwoods and 4-5 feet elsewhere kicked off an excellent early season. From Thanksgiving to mid-December it snowed 7-9 feet in the Cottonwoods and 4-5 feet elsewhere. Base depths are 6-7 feet in the Cottonwoods, 4-5 feet elsewhere, so this is the most secure region for the upcoming holiday season.

Northern and Central Colorado: Snowmaking openings were A-Basin Oct. 23, Keystone Oct. 28 and Winter Park Oct. 31. Early November snowfall averaged 1.5 feet, with about 2 feet over the rest of the month. During the first half of December it has snowed 5 feet at Steamboat, 3+ feet at Vail and Winter Park and 2+ feet elsewhere. Base depths are 3-4 feet at the former 3 areas, which should be close to full operation for the holidays. Elsewhere the base is under 3 feet, which means it will take more snow to open steeper terrain.

Southern and Western Colorado: Early November snowfall was almost 3 feet at Wolf Creek and about half that elsewhere. 1-2 feet fell over the rest of the month. First half of December snow was 2-3 feet. Wolf Creek's base is 46-52 inches, but most areas have not much over 2 feet. Aside from Aspen/Snowmass and Wolf Creek, this region is low on snowfall and advanced terrain is very unlikely to open before January.

Northeast: Warm weather and rain prevented any areas from opening for the first half of November. Through mid-December there was intermittent cold weather for snowmaking but storms were nearly all rain. This weekend the first major snowstorm of the season is hitting New England. Percents open: Okemo 32%, Hunter 28%, Sunday River 20%, Sugarloaf 17%, Tremblant 37%, St. Anne 3%.

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