2011-12 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 24, 2011

Late October 2011 will be remembered for its snowfall in the eastern metro areas, which also opened a few eastern ski areas. Aside from Wolf Creek, no western areas had a meaningful snowpack at the end of October to get a jump on the upcoming season. I was out of the country the entire month of November and unable to follow progress in snowfall or ski area openings during that time. November snowfall reflected a classic La Nina pattern with an outstanding start in the Pacific Northwest and much of western Canada, drier in regions farther south. So far December has been exceptionally dry over nearly the entire West. Some snow has gotten through to the Southwest, bringing most areas there close to average but only Wolf Creek far above average. There are many resorts that are in limited operation for the holidays, probably the worst overall Christmas since 1986-87. Only the Pacific Northwest, western Canada and the far Southwest have normal or better conditions.

California: There was an 18+ inch storm during the firm week of October but it all melted up to at least 10,000 feet by the end of the month. Mammoth had about half normal snowfall in November and Tahoe was even drier. No snow so far in December, and with none expected next week advance commitments should be avoided for at least another month. This is the worst Christmas at Mammoth since 1999-2000 and the worst at Tahoe since 1986-87 with very limited skiing only on manmade snow. Full operation of expert terrain in the Sierra is not likely until sometime in February. Southwest storms have opened most of Arizona Snowbowl and snowmaking is ahead of schedule in Southern California with cold temperatures. 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	18	15%	5%
Northstar	22	27%	7%
Mt. Rose	24	26%	13%
Kirkwood	35	28%	7%
Mammoth	32	33%	15%
Southern Cal	32	142%	0-94%
Arizona Snowbowl	91	151%	80%

Pacific Northwest: The entire region had an excellent start in November. Mt. Bachelor's snowfall was close to average but eyewitness reports showed a solid base that could open most of the mountain, weather and demand permitting. Farther north November snowfall was well above average. Mt. Baker is 100% open and Mt. Hood 80%. Base depths are in the 3-4 foot range and conditions are now more hardpacked due to just a few inches snow in December. But a series of storms is predicted to move through the region next week.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Whistler	137	97%	100%
Crystal Mt.	119	95%	91%
Stevens Pass	105	71%	73%
Mt. Bachelor	71	57%	41%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: November snowfall was high through most of the region. Base depths are in the 3 foot range and more terrain than normal is open despite modest snowfalls averaging less than a foot near the U.S. border and 1-2 feet farther north so far in December. Big White is 58% open, Silver Star 90% and Sun Peaks 95%. Revelstoke and Kicking Horse snow totals are likely inflated by including October, but both were 50+% open in early December. As in the Northwest, more snow is expected next week.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Lake Louise	77	135%	86%
Sunshine	103	130%	81%
Revelstoke	153	128%	86%
Kicking Horse	132	146%	84%
Whitewater	90	74%	94%
Red Mt.	59	68%	34%
Fernie	84	73%	84%
Castle Mt.	59	70%	85%

U. S. Northern Rockies: Snowfall in November was close to average at areas reporting. Jackson opened a bit early with more terrain than normal available but has added little during the mostly dry December. Schweitzer got off to a good start with the Northwest influence, and along with consistent Grand Targhee is the only area in full operation for the holidays. Big Sky is below average but 61% open for Christmas. The rest of the region's ski areas are less than half open for the holidays, and Brundage and Bogus Basin are not open at all.

Utah: Utah's November was close to average but there have been less than 2 feet in the Wasatch so far in December. Brian Head has had 3+ feet in December from Southwest storms. The Cottonwood areas are half to 2/3 open for the holidays on 3 foot bases. Other Wasatch areas are only 1/3 open on 2 foot bases, mostly on snowmaking and likely the leanest Christmas since 1986-87. Outside the Cottonwood Canyons much advanced terrain will not likely be open until late January or February.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Alta	92	60%	65%
Snowbird	95	73%	50%
Brighton/Solitude	83	57%	45%
Park City	58	65%	38%
Snowbasin	65	72%	33%
Brian Head	91	99%	43%

Northern and Central Colorado: This region is also off to a very slow start. Historically most of these areas are at least half open by mid-December but were only quarter open this year. Going into Christmas most areas are still only 1/3 open. This holiday season rivals 1998-1999 as the worst since 1986-87. With base depths still around 2 feet much advanced terrain will not likely be open until late January or February.

Southern and Western Colorado: The Gothic Snow Lab between Crested Butte and Aspen (snowier climate than either) had 22 inches in October, 39 in November and only 13 so far in December. In the Southwest snowfall has been average or better, so Taos is 76% open on a 4 foot base vs. 41% open on average at Christmas. Wolf Creek's 87 inches of December snow is nearly twice as much as any other area in North America. Normal snowfall should open most expert terrain elsewhere in January, except for Crested Butte's North Face, which probably won't open until sometime in February.

Northeast: The late October storm dropped 15 inches at Killington, which opened Oct. 30. Sunday River, Mt. Snow and Plattekill also opened on a limited basis. The natural snow was much less than in October 2005, so operations were more limited and any natural base soon disappeared. November and early December were very poor with low snowfall and very limited operations. Trail counts have just started to rise in the past week. This Christmas in the Northeast rivals 2006-07 as the worst since 2001-02. Percents open: Okemo 31%, Stratton 32%, Hunter 47%, Sunday River 30%, Sugarloaf 13%, Tremblant 29%, Ste. Anne 35%. 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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