2021-22 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 18, 2021

October 2021 precipitation was heavy along the West Coast, though mostly with very high rain/snow lines. The Oct. 24-25 storm opened Mammoth and Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) on Oct. 29. Substantial snow also accumulated in the Whistler alpine. November was unusually warm, plus drier than normal in many regions. The Northwest was stormy but with more rain than snow. Late November storms opened over half the terrain at the Banff areas. Revelstoke and Kicking Horse attained 5+ foot bases, which delivered good December skiing when they opened.

The warm temperatures delayed snowmaking and postponed some scheduled opening dates in the western US. Delayed opening dates are a red flag for early season skiing, particularly since the dry weather continued for a week into December. This situation would often restrict skiing through the holidays, but major storms last week wiped out all of November's snow deficit in California and much of it in the Northwest and Utah. Most of Colorado and some other areas in the Rockies no more than 25% open now are likely to have a very limited holiday season. Due to the November weather, October snowfall is not included in season totals other than a few places where October was material to early November open terrain.

California: There were small snowfalls in mid-October. A major atmospheric river dumped several inches of rain up to 10,000 feet before dumping 3+ feet of heavy snow Oct. 24-25. On Oct. 29 Mammoth opened 22% of terrain and Palisades Tahoe 13% but only for 3 days. It was warm in November with 7-11 inches new snow above 8,000 feet and most snow melting out lower down. Only Mammoth remained open while no Tahoe areas preserved or made enough snow to open in November. Limited terrain opened in early December with 6-10 inches snow plus cold temperatures. Then the Sierra got an average 6 feet of snow Dec. 13-16, setting up a good holiday season, especially with substantial more snow expected next week. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: The entire month of October was very wet but the rain/snow line was high. November continued the warm but wet pattern. A solid snowpack of 51 inches accmulated at 6,000 feet at both Whistler and Blackcomb in November, with another 5 feet falling so far in December. Mt. Baker got 4 feet of snow mid-November but heavy rain reduced its base to 14 inches. No Washington or Oregon areas opened in November. 3-4 feet fell last week, opening some terrain, with hopefully more to come with more snow next week.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was average and the Banff areas opened a week into November. November snowfall ranged from 3 feet in the Okanagan to 7+ feet at Revelstoke/Kicking Horse and Banff. 3-5 feet have fallen so far in December, so this remains the overall top region for the holiday season on 4-5+ foot bases. Sun Peaks is 81% open and Silver Star 83%.

U. S. Northern Rockies: November snowfall was well below average. The lower interior Northwest areas had mostly rain in November but had 3+ feet of snow so far in December. Southern Idaho got 3 feet from the California storm last week, bringing Sun Valley to 59% open. Big Sky is 23% open and Bridger is not yet open, so these areas should be avoided until well into January. Targhee is close to full operation after 4 feet last week but Jackson got less than half as much and remains in limited operation.

Utah: Utah had well above average October snowfall, but it was gradual so no one opened and it melted out below 8,000 feet. November tied for driest in the 42 years of Alta Collins records at 22 inches. For the Cottonwood areas only a residual base from October is added to snow totals. In the last two weeks 5-6 feet of snow fell in the Cottonwoods but less than half as much elsewhere. Holiday skiing will be very limited outside the Cottonwoods.

Northern and Central Colorado: October and November snowfalls were modest, so the openings (A-Basin Oct. 17, Keystone Oct. 23 and Loveland Oct. 31) were all less than 2% open. No areas were as much as 10% open at the end of November. 1-2 feet of snow over the last two weeks have not put much of a dent in November's shortfall, so skiing will be limited through the holidays. A-Basin is 18% open.

Southern and Western Colorado: November snowfall was less than half normal. Wolf Creek has been open since the end of October but ended November with a 14 inch base. A second week of December storm dumped up to 3 feet in the San Juans and fully opened Wolf Creek but there have been only a few inches since. Taos is 8% open. Aside from Wolf Creek, holiday skiing will be limited but not quite as severely as in northern and cnetral Colorado.

Northeast: No one reported new snow in New England or eastern Canada until the second weekend of November. Killington opened Nov. 6. Cold weather and some snow in late November and early December opened about a quarter of terrain. The last week has been warm and rainy so little further progress has been made. Percents open: Okemo 27%, Hunter 24%, Sunday River 34%, Sugarloaf 16%, Tremblant 34%, Ste. Anne 21%

Directory of Ski Report Links

All content herein copyright Š 1996-2021 Bestsnow.net
All Rights Reserved.
No copies or reproductions may be made in whole or in part without express permission by Tony Crocker.
Prices for commercial users will be determined based upon intended use and distribution.