November and December so far have provided an excellent start to the season. At this point there are no destination resorts in the West which should be avoided for lack of snow.

California: The Sierra Nevada received 4-6 feet of snow this weekend. Expect outstanding conditions once cleanup and avalanche control are completed. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: Everything in Washington and Oregon is in excellent shape on base depths of 70 to 100+ inches after major dumps of 7+ feet so far this month. Whistler and Blackcomb are now fully open and in excellent shape according to an eyewitness report, even though coastal B.C. still has less snow than Washington and Oregon.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Fernie received more snow this week and still has the most snow (90+ inch base) in the region, though Whitewater is close. Red has both mountains open on 50+ inches, but I don't know what fraction of terrain is skiable. The Okanagan areas, Lake Louise and Sunshine have considerably more skiing available now than normal for the early season.

U. S. Northern Rockies: The entire region is enjoying an outstanding early season. Schweitzer, Silver and Big Mountain are on the Pacific Northwest storm track and consequently in good shape on 80+ inch bases. Grand Targhee (over 100 inch base) and Jackson Hole received major dumps this week. Bridger and Big Sky (Lone Peak open) also have excellent conditions. Even Sun Valley, which gets much less snow from these Northwest storms, is in full operation, with more snow expected this weekend.

Utah: Alta and Snowbird now have over 70 inch bases. All but the most extreme runs should be open. Check eyewitness skier reports for confirmation. Brighton, Brian Head, Solitude and Powder Mt. are in full operation on more moderate terrain. Most of Park City is now open as well.

Northern and Central Colorado: Steamboat and Vail have received over 150 inches snow this season and are in excellent shape and in full operation. Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper Mt., Loveland and Winter Park are all at least 90% open, which is well above normal.

Southern and Western Colorado: This region is far above average so far. The southern areas, Wolf Creek, Purgatory and Taos, N.Mex. have had little snow in December, but are in good shape due to November's near record snowfall. Telluride is 95% open, including all upper mountain expert terrain. All the Aspen areas are at least 90% open, which is much more than normal, on consistently above average snowfall in both November and December.

Northeast: Winter has returned to New England, with up to a foot of snow in the northern areas with more expected. Many resorts have well over half their terrain available. As my report is an overview, I strongly recommend checking Scenes of Vermont Ski Page for up to date information in this region, where surface conditions can change so rapidly.