2019-20 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 24, 2019

October 2019 was exceptionally cold in the Northern Rockies of both US and Canada. There were several small storms in northern regions and particularly in Colorado. The first half of November was bone dry in the western US with no area receiving more than 3 inches snow and most getting zero. Threfore most October snow melted out and is not included in the table of snow totals below. During the third week of November a moderate 1-2 foot storm came mostly through the Southwest while a few inches fell in some northern regions. During Thanksgiving week a strong storm dumped 2-4 feet in California and 4-6 feet in Utah. During the first week of December California got another 3-4 feet and much of western Canada 2 feet with other regions averaging no more than a foot. There was scattered snow over most of the West during the second week of December with the most falling (2-3 feet) in Utah and Colorado. The Pacific Northwest and western Canada were the focus of storms during the third week of December, but the Northwest and much of the US northern Rockies are still seriously deficient in snow for the holidays. California and Utah's Cottonwood Canyons have the most snow for Christmas.

California: Mt. Rose opened its beginner lift weekends starting Oct. 25 and Mammoth opened Nov. 9. The first natural Sierra snow Nov. 20 was only 2-6 inches but 2-3 feet fell over Thanksgiving with another 2-3 feet later that weekend. 3-4 feet during the first week of December brought Mammoth to full operation with the most open terrain in North America, while low elevations at Tahoe saw rain. After about 2 feet in mid-Decmeber, most terrain at Tahoe is open for Christmas with base depths of 4-6 feet Late November snowfall was 3-4 feet in Southern California (soon degraded by rain) and 6 feet in Arizona, in full operation by early December. 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

149

124%

80%

Alpine Meadows

115

127%

88%

Mt. Rose

116

130%

88%

Northstar (mid estimate)

104

127%

79%

Heavenly

134

135%

89%

Kirkwood

158

133%

100%

Mammoth

120

132%

100%

Southern Cal

61

270%

0-67%

Arizona Snowbowl

97

155%

100%

Pacific Northwest: In October Hood Meadows had 31 inches snow and Mt. Bachelor had 13 inches but the base melted out by mid-November. Late November snow averaged 2 feet in Oregon declining to less than a foot farther north. This was the driest November on record at Whistler and in Seattle. Despite 2 feet in the first half of December and 3 feet last week, this region is still far behind schedule, which calls for deferring advance commitments until at least mid-January. Mt. Baker opened Dec. 14 and Stevens Pass Dec. 21. Whistler has never had so little open at Christmas. More Northwest terrain opened this week, but it's low tide with base depths averaging 3 feet.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Whistler

59

41%

21%

Crystal Mt.

84

65%

60%

Stevens Pass

66

45%

73%

Mt. Hood

44

32%

57%

Mt. Bachelor

67

55%

41%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: October snowfall was widespread in this region but November snowfall was significant only well north of the US border. Lake Louise opened a week early on November 1, and had the most terrain open in North America in November. Most areas have received 2-3 feet in the first half of December and 3 feet last week. Okanagan and Kootenay areas are still a couple of weeks behind schedule. But overall base depths are 4-5 feet and most terrain is open for the holidays. Silver Star and Sun Peaks reached 90+% open by Christmas.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Big White

66

66%

70%

Lake Louise

113

191%

78%

Sunshine

128

156%

89%

Revelstoke

134

103%

90%

Kicking Horse

100

112%

84%

Whitewater

131

103%

85%

Red Mt.

45

53%

10%

Fernie

81

70%

75%

Castle Mt.

85

99%

87%

U. S. Northern Rockies: Grand Targhee had 40 inches October snowfall but postponed opening to November 29 due to the dry month. Late November snow was about 2 feet in Wyoming and Sun Valley but less than a foot elsewhere. First half of December snow was 3 feet in the Tetons and 2 feet farther north. About a foot fell during the third week of December. Base depths are 3-4 feet in the Tetons but only 2-3 feet farther north. Big Sky is 75% open. It will take some more snow to open more advanced terrain in this region.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Grand Targhee

77

53%

100%

Jackson Hole

66

57%

55%

Whitefish

79

77%

83%

Bridger

65

73%

100%

Schweitzer

54

62%

54%

Brundage

47

51%

98%

Sun Valley

52

84%

78%

Utah: The October cold reached as far south as Utah, setting records near the end of the month. The Snowbird SNOTEL's 40 inches of October snowfall shrunk to a 9 inch base before a few inches fell during the third week of November. The Thanksgiving week storm dumped 4-6 feet, bringing early season base depths to 3-5 feet. More terrain opened in early December once snow was stabilized plus up to a foot of new snow. 3 feet of snow the second week of December opened most terrain in the Cottonwoods on a 5-6 foot base. Up to a foot fell during the third week of December.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Alta

136

94%

100%

Snowbird SNOTEL

129

99%

81%

Brighton/Solitude

112

84%

99%

Park City (mid estimate)

77

93%

64%

Snowbasin

100

112%

93%

Brian Head

112

135%

100%

Northern and Central Colorado: Early openings on snowmaking were A-Basin Oct. 11, Keystone Oct. 12 and Loveland Oct. 25. Most of the 3+ feet of October snow was lost during the dry first half of November so open terrain from Thanksgiving into early December was well below average on base depths averaging a bit under 2 feet after average snowfall during the second half of November and less than a foot during early December. Three feet of snow fell Dec. 12-14. Base depths settled to around 3 feet by Christmas, with open terrain slightly below average. A-Basin is 50% open.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Beaver Creek

64

65%

80%

Breckenridge

83

89%

68%

Copper Mt.

47

56%

62%

Keystone

64

90%

89%

Loveland

83

85%

50%

Steamboat

65

59%

91%

Vail

69

65%

95%

Winter Park

70

67%

82%

Southern and Western Colorado: The Rocky Mountain Biological Lab at Gothic (between Crested Butte and Aspen) had 20 inches October snowfall but lost its base during the dry first half of November. Wolf Creek had 22 inches October snowfall and Monarch 38 inches, so both opened by Nov. 1. The Southwest was the region most favored during the third week of November plus about 3 feet of snow during the ensuing two weeks. A mid-December storm averaged 2 feet at most areas but 4 feet at Monarch. Base depths are 3-4 feet at most areas and 5 feet at Wolf Creek and Monarch after up to one foot of snow the week before Christmas.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Aspen/Snowmass

80

116%

90%

Gothic Snow Lab

48

49%

N/A

Crested Butte

57

82%

50%

Monarch

109

140%

100%

Telluride

90

118%

80%

Purgatory

75

103%

95%

Wolf Creek

117

110%

100%

Taos

73

94%

80%

Northeast: The first openings were Killington Nov. 3, Mt. St. Sauveur Nov. 8 and Sunday River Nov. 9. Early November weather was favorably cold but there was mixed precipitation late in the month. Terrain expanded some in early December with 1.5 feet of new snow. Rain on Dec. 14 depressed trail counts. There has been some recovery before Christmas, but trails counts are still below average. Percents open: Hunter 70%, Okemo 64%, Sunday River 44% and Sugarloaf 25%, Tremblant 77%, St. Anne 24%.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Jay Peak (mid estimate)

79

80%

38%

Smuggler's Notch

61

64%

28%

Stowe

62

67%

43%

Sugarbush

52

70%

75%

Killington

63

94%

52%

Whiteface

52

95%

41%

Cannon

50

123%

53%

Le Massif

47

66%

32%

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