2020-21 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 18, 2020

October 2020 snowfall was mostly in Canada. In late October a storm dipped down the Continental Divide into Colorado and New Mexico. Snowfall totals are since November 1 aside from Wolf Creek and the Banff areas which opened significant terrain based upon October snow. Openings at some areas were delayed until enough lifts/terrain can be opened for COVID-19 social distancing despite an above average first half of November for snow. The first widespread storms hit the West first weekend of November, with South Tahoe, Utah and Wolf Creek being the big winners. During the second week of November the Northwest and US Northern Rockies got 3-4 feet, with lesser amounts in adjacent regions. Third week of November snowfall hit mainly the Northwest and western Canada. Areas over half open for Thanksgiving were Wolf Creek 98%, Lake Louise 67%, Sunshine 62%, Sun Peaks 77%, Mt. Baker 82%, Crystal 56%, Lookout Pass 58% and Grand Targhee 60%. Note that aside from Wolf Creek's microclimate, all of these areas are among those most favored by the ongoing La Nina.

A massive ridge of high pressure built in western North America in late November, lasting nearly two weeks. Normal weather and average snowfall returned to most of the West in mid-December though a few snowy microclimates got much more. However, many areas remain 2-3 weeks behind schedule on snow so open terrain is likely still limited through the holidays. COVID-19 restrictions based upon open lifts/terrain mean that many destination resorts in California, Utah and Colorado should be avoided until after the holidays.

California: There was no snow in October. The early November storm was 8-10 inches in North Tahoe and peaked SW of the lake with 20 inches at Sierra-Tahoe. Mammoth opened 5% Nov. 13 with 14 inches new plus cold temperatures for snowmaking. After a few more inches before Thanksgiving, the next two weeks were dry. There has been 1-2 feet in mid-December but the next week is expected dry so less than half of terrain will be open at Christmas. California lodging is also limited to residents for the rest of December due to COVID-19. Northstar is 36% open. 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

62

70%

22%

Alpine Meadows

53

69%

32%

Mt. Rose

46

70%

34%

Heavenly

55

63%

38%

Kirkwood

59

34%

36%

Mammoth

43

55%

40%

Southern Cal

12

60%

0-37%

Arizona Snowbowl

24

46%

25%

Pacific Northwest: Crystal, Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor reported minimal snow through the first week of November. But it dumped heavily the rest of November. Mt. Baker is 100% open on a 87 inch base. The first week of December was dry but it has snowed 2-4 feet since with more on the way.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Whistler

108

87%

65%

Crystal Mt.

80

73%

84%

Stevens Pass

129

102%

70%

Mt. Hood

131

109%

68%

Mt. Bachelor

119

113%

84%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was significant only in this region, with gradual additions in early November but more through the rest of the month. There has been an average of 2+ feet so far in December. Sun Peaks is 89% open and Silver Star 91% on 42 inch bases. Western Canada is likely to have the best holiday conditions.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Big White

74

83%

67%

Lake Louise

93

174%

97%

Sunshine

145

198%

79%

Revelstoke

98

85%

70%

Kicking Horse

79

100%

19%

Red Mt.

56

78%

19%

Whitewater

82

78%

21%

Fernie

112

113%

65%

Castle Mt.

104

139%

85%

U. S. Northern Rockies: Montana had October snow but mostly east of the Continental Divide, 45 inches at Red Lodge. Great Divide opened a couple of runs with snowmaking assistance Oct. 31 but lost them to warm weather the next week. Second week of November it snowed 3-4 feet in Montana and Wyoming and 2 feet in Idaho. It snowed 1-2 feet during the second half of November. December snowfall was 3 feet in the Tetons and 2 feet elsewhere. Base depths are 4 feet in the Tetons, but less than 3 feet elsewhere. Bridger opened late and Big Sky is 19% open. Sun Valley is 57% open.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Grand Targhee

115

91%

100%

Jackson Hole

86

85%

45%

Schweitzer

46

61%

52%

Lookout Pass

97

82%

100%

Brundage

50

63%

64%

Utah: Utah was extremely dry in October but got 2+ feet over the first weekend of November and a similar amount through the second week. There was less than a foot during the second half of November and first week of December but it has since snowed 3+ feet in the Cottonwoods and about a foot elsewhere. Open terrain is still limited though much in the Cottonwoods should open once new snow is stabilized. Other Utah areas are likely to be less than half open until January.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Alta

110

86%

76%

Snowbird SNOTEL

110

96%

41%

Brighton/Solitude

90

77%

30%

Park City (mid estimate)

46

63%

11%

Snowbasin

59

75%

35%

Brian Head

36

49%

11%

Northern and Central Colorado: This was possibly the first October in over 25 years with no ski area open despite a late October storm averaging 10 inches. The dry summer may have limited water for snowmaking at A-Basin and Loveland. Keystone opened Nov. 6, A-Basin Nov. 9, Breckenridge and Loveland Nov. 13. November snowfall was below average so with social distancing requirements Copper opened Nov. 30, Steamboat Dec. 1 and Winter Park Dec. 3. December snowfall has been 1-2 feet but open terrain is far below average and only a few areas may have as much as half of terrain open for Christmas.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Beaver Creek

66

77%

45%

Breckenridge

59

73%

22%

Copper Mt.

52

68%

25%

Keystone

63

100%

28%

Loveland

56

65%

14%

Steamboat

55.5

57%

16%

Vail

60

64%

23%

Winter Park

85

92%

45%

Southern and Western Colorado: A late October storm dropped 13 inches at the Gothic Snow Lab and 22 inches at Monarch and Taos. Wolf Creek got 39 inches in October and with localized southwest storms reached 98% open by November 15. The rest of the region had a below average November and all had a dry early December. It has since snowed 3 feet at Wolf Creek and 2 feet elsewhere. Full operation at most other areas is unlikely until well after the holidays. Taos is 33% open on a 39-inch base.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Aspen/Snowmass

62

102%

45%

Gothic Snow Lab

59

69%

N/A

Crested Butte

49

80%

41%

Telluride

40

59%

23%

Purgatory

48

75%

30%

Wolf Creek

135

143%

100%

Northeast: Northern Vermont got 1+ foot at the start of November but most of the month was warm. Thus openings were delayed to Nov. 13 at Killington and Nov. 21 at Sunday River and Sugarloaf, with social distancing also being a factor. Early December progress was slow with mixed snow and rain resulting in low trail counts. The mid-December Nor'easter hit southern New England hard but did not snow much farther north. Percents open: Okemo 40%, Hunter 52%, Sunday River 26%, Sugarloaf 17%, Tremblant 28%, Ste. Anne 34%.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Jay Peak (mid estimate)

52

60%

11%

Stowe

49

78%

18%

Sugarbush

33

52%

22%

Killington

71

125%

36%

Stratton

40

90%

60%

Whiteface

24

64%

15%

Cannon

28

83%

38%

Le Massif

50

83%

26%

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