2006-07 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 22, 2006

In the Northwest and western Canada November snowfall was at or near record levels. Colorado's snowfall started in October and most areas there are headed for an above average Christmas, though not as good as last year. The Northern Rockies and Utah areas between are below average, and consistently high snow areas like Alta and Grand Targhee are in the best shape for the holidays. The Sierra is far behind schedule even after two small storms last week. The first week of December was fairly quiet; during the second week the storm track resumed a similar northwest pattern as in November. The Denver blizzard of Dec. 20-21 with a few exceptions dumped less snow in Colorado ski areas than in Denver.

With more areas posting season snowfall since 2003-04, I am no longer tracking the less reliable numbers from RSN, except in regions where no nearby area has up-to-date information. I am now including season snowfall from some areas italicized from SnoCountry.

California: North Tahoe was brushed by a couple of the November storms and over the past 2 weeks three storms have totalled 3-4 feet. However, the snow has been low in water and most areas are still well under half open with almost no advanced terrain. Percents open: Alpine Meadows 20%, Heavenly 19%, Northstar 24%, Sierra-at-Tahoe 58%, Sugar Bowl 50%. This is the driest start to a Sierra season in 7 years, and advanced terrain is not likely to be skiable before mid-January. 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	94	85%	16%
Kirkwood	53	45%	40%
Mammoth	43	45%	29%
Southern Cal	11	55%	5-45%
Arizona Snowbowl	13	24%	closed

Pacific Northwest: The late October/early November storms rivaled the infamous Tropical Punch of January 2005 for flooding and high snow levels. But for the rest of November temperatures were cold and it dumped record snow. Current base depths are 120-128 inches at Mt. Baker, 91 inches at Whistler and 5-7 feet elsewhere. Mt. Hood Meadows opened fully Dec. 9 after repair of its washed out access road. There was some rain in early December, but 3-6 feet more snow the past two weeks have continued the epic Northwest early season.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Whistler	246	192%	100%
Stevens Pass	161	114%	100%
Crystal Mt.	188	170%	100%
Mt. Bachelor	163	142%	95%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Enough of the Northwest storms reached interior Canada for a near record start. Most areas are 80+% open and several are 100% after another 1-4 feet new snow in December.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Lake Louise	74	136%	93%
Kicking Horse	197	228%	99%
Red Mt.	109	120%	100%
Fernie	126	104%	100%

U. S. Northern Rockies: The early Northwest storms hit northern Idaho hard, but otherwise most of this region has had average or less snow. Particularly behind schedule are Big Sky (only 27% open) and Bridger, which just opened Dec. 22 on a limited basis. Jackson got 3 feet of upper mountain snow so far in December, but the lower mountain has snowmaking dependence or thin cover. As usual Grand Targhee is the exception, maintaining its record of consistency with more snow and more terrain open than nearby areas.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Schweitzer	150	188%	91%
Big Mountain	89	90%	73%
Grand Targhee	140	106%	100%
Jackson Hole	98	86%	64%
Sun Valley	50	88%	62%

Utah: Snowfall has been slightly below average with biggest storms coming in late November. Alta and Brighton have the best cover and current conditions. The Park City group and Snowbasin still have some advanced areas that need more coverage. After 2-4 feet new snow over the last 2 weeks, base depths are over 4 feet in the Cottonwood Canyons and about 3 feet elsewhere. Brian Head got 2+ feet this week to open most runs.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Alta	134	92%	98%
Snowbird	113	90%	93%
Solitude	108	88%	92%
Park City group	82	82%	81%
Snowbasin	74	81%	57%
Brian Head	68	74%	75%

Northern and Central Colorado: These areas had 2-4+ feet of October snow and a normal November of 3-4 feet and 1-2 feet in early December. The Denver blizzard was only as strong at Winter Park and dropped 1 to 1.5 feet elsewhere in the region. This is an above average holiday season with just a few expert runs not open yet.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Beaver Creek	103	106%	92%
Breckenridge	96	121%	86%
Copper Mt.	105	141%	91%
Keystone	102	200%	91%
Loveland	132	147%	90%
Steamboat	123.5	115%	74%
Vail	113	106%	81%
Winter Park	116.8	109%	80%

Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek had 65 inches in October and 69 in November to reach operation first. About 80% of Aspen/Snowmass is open, more than normal for the holidays. Through mid-December regional snowfall was well above average north but well below average south. Then the Denver blizzard originated in southern Colorado and the 2-3 foot dump opened most runs at Durango and Telluride. Some expert terrain like Crested Butte's North Face still need more snow. Arizona and New Mexico areas are still in restricted operation or not yet open. Gothic is between Aspen and Crested Butte and normally gets about 30% more snow.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Gothic	125	139%	N/A
Crested Butte	86	135%	73%
Durango	101	144%	100%
Wolf Creek	186	149%	100%
Taos	64	82%	28%

Northeast: Natural snow in October totalled 21 inches at Jay Peak and 16 inches at Killington (not included in totals below). Unfortunately November was warm so all precipitation was rain and the first openings on snowmaking were for the weekend of Nov. 18-19. There was some cold and snow for the first week of December, but it has warmed up again and holiday skiing is as limited as it has ever been in the snowmaking era. Natural snow is possible just after Christmas. Current percents open: Sunday River 37%, Sugarloaf 13%, Okemo 32%, Stratton 25%, Hunter 39%, Tremblant 27%, Mt. Ste. Anne 17%, Snowshoe 53%. 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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