2011-12 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 17, 2011

Late October 2011 will be remembered for its snowfall in the eastern metro areas, which also opened a few eastern ski areas. Aside from Wolf Creek, no western areas had a meaningful snowpack at the end of October to get a jump on the upcoming season. I was out of the country the entire month of November and unable to follow progress in snowfall or ski area openings during that time. November snowfall reflected a classic La Nina pattern with an outstanding start in the Pacific Northwest and much of western Canada, drier in regions farther south. The first half of December has been exceptionally dry over nearly the entire West. Some snow has gotten through to the Southwest, bringing most areas there close to average but only Wolf Creek far above average. There are many resorts that will be in limited operation for the holidays, probably the worst overall Christmas since 1986-87. Only the Pacific Northwest, western Canada and the far Southwest have normal or better conditions.

California: There was an 18+ inch storm during the firm week of October but it all melted up to at least 10,000 feet by the end of the month. Mammoth had about half normal snowfall in November and Tahoe was even drier. No snow so far in December, and with none expected next week advance commitments should be avoided for at least another month. This will be the worst Christmas at Mammoth since 1999-2000 and the worst at Tahoe since 1986-87 with all skiing being on manmade snow. Full operation of expert terrain in the Sierra is not likely until February. Southwest storms have opened most of Arizona Snowbowl and snowmaking is ahead of schedule in Southern California with cold temperatures. 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	16	16%	5%
Northstar	22	32%	6%
Mt. Rose	24	31%	13%
Kirkwood	35	33%	7%
Mammoth	32	39%	13%
Southern Cal	30	165%	0-77%
Arizona Snowbowl	77	152%	80%

Pacific Northwest: The entire region had an excellent start in November. Mt. Bachelor's snowfall was close to average but eyewitness reports showed a solid base that could most of the mountain, weather and demand permitting. Farther north November snowfall was well above average. Mt. Baker is 100% open and Mt. Hood 80%. Base depths are in the 4 foot range and conditions are now more hardpacked due to no little snow in December. There were a few inches last week and storms may return to the region arouind Christmas.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Whistler	128	106%	100%
Crystal Mt.	115	108%	91%
Stevens Pass	100	79%	73%
Mt. Bachelor	71	67%	41%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: November snowfall was high through most of the region. Base depths are in the 3 foot range and more terrain than normal is open despite modest snowfalls averaging a foot so far in December. Big White is 41% open, Silver Star 85% and Sun Peaks 90%. Revelstoke and Kicking Horse snow totals are likely inflated by including October, but both were 50+% open in early December. As in the Northwest, more snow is expected around Christmas.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Lake Louise	71	141%	83%
Sunshine	93	135%	68%
Revelstoke	144	124%	85%
Kicking Horse	122	154%	69%
Whitewater	88	85%	86%
Red Mt.	56	75%	34%
Fernie	83	85%	84%
Castle Mt.	57	79%	85%

U. S. Northern Rockies: Snowfall in November was close to average at areas reporting. Jackson opened a bit early with more terrain than normal available. Schweitzer is off to a good start with the Northwest influence. But in Montana areas are in very limited operation, 28% at Big Sky. December has been dry throughout the region with no more than a foot anywhere.

Utah: Utah's November was close to average. As expected Alta, Brighton and Solitude have the most open terrain and operations are very limited elsewhere. There has been no more than 10 inches in the Wasatch so far in December. Brian Head has had 3 feet in December from Southwest storms. With no snow expected in the next week even the Cottonwood areas will be far from full operation for the holidays. Elsewhere in the Wasatch skiing will be very limited, mostly on snowmaking and likely the leanest Christmas since 1986-87.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Alta	86	65%	50%
Snowbird	88	79%	24%
Brighton/Solitude	77	61%	40%
Park City	52	68%	21%
Snowbasin	64	83%	30%
Brian Head	84	106%	43%

Northern and Central Colorado: This region is also off to a very slow start. Historically most of these areas are at least half open by mid-December but only around a quarter open now. Little snow is expected next week but some is possible by Christmas. This will be the worst holiday season since 1999-2000 and much advanced terrain will not likely be open until late January or February.

Southern and Western Colorado: The Gothic Snow Lab between Crested Butte and Aspen (snowier climate than either) had 24.5 inches in October, 36.5 in November and only 13 so far in December. Aspen/Snowmass is 48% open. In the Southwest snowfall has been average or better, so Taos is 64% open. Wolf Creek's 73 inches of December snow is nearly twice as much as any other area in North America. Normal snowfall should open most expert terrain elsewhere in January, except for Crested Butte's North Face, which probably won't open until sometime in February.

Northeast: The late October storm dropped 15 inches at Killington, which opened Oct. 30. Sunday River, Mt. Snow and Plattekill also opened on a limited basis. The natural snow was much less than in October 2005, so operations were more limited and any natural base soon disappeared. November and early December have been very poor with low snowfall and current operations are very restricted. This will probably be the worst Christmas in the Northeast since 2001-02. Percents open: Okemo 13%, Stratton 13%, Hunter 24%, Sunday River 17%, Sugarloaf 8%, Tremblant 18%, Ste. Anne 11%. 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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