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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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%.

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