2022-23 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 24, 2022

Late October 2022 saw widespread moderate snowfall through much of the West. Some of this snowpack persisted in Utah and the Tetons as the first third of November was very snowy there as well as California. It was then mostly dry to Thanksgiving, so only Utah and the Tetons include October snowfall in the tables below. The earlier storms opened the majority of terrain at Grand Targhee, Mammoth and all 4 of Utah's Cottonwood Canyon areas on 4 foot bases. Widespread snow over most of the West through mid-December opened much more terrain. While most regions saw only modest snow the week before Christmas, many areas in the Sierra, Utah and northern Rockies are already set for the holidays on 4-6+ foot bases.

California: It snowed up to a foot during the first week of November, then 2+ feet at Tahoe and 4 feet at Mammoth Nov. 7-9. It snowed 3-4 feet Dec. 1-4 and another 3-4 feet Dec. 10-11. Base depths of 5-7+ feet were the deepest for mid-December since 2004. Christmas week is likely to be a challenge with multiple storms and varied snow levels. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: There were three storms in late October but the last one was all rain. Early November storms started as rain but ended as snow. The Whistler alpine cams showed a considerable base Nov. 10, but opened 9% at Thanksgiving with no more new snow. After Thanksgiving it snowed 4 feet in Washington and 3 feet in Oregon with another 2-3 feet during the first half of December, yielding base depths of 5 feet at Mt. Baker (95% open) and 3-4 feet elsewhere. After another foot of new snow, Christmas weekend is ugly with freezing rain and some temporary closures. Resurfacing should come next week with predicted snow.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Late October and early November snowfall was above average but it was mostly dry for the next 3 weeks. From Thanksgiving through Christmas 4+ feet of snow fell in the Okanagan and Kootenay regions, but only half as much around Banff, which has low tide conditions. Okanagan and Kootenay base depths are 3-4 feet. Silver Star is 99% open and Sun Peaks 91%.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Late October/early November snowfall was 4-6 feet in the Tetons and 2-3 feet elsewhere. There was 2-3 feet after Thanksgiving, another 2-3 feet during the first half of December and a foot the week before Christmas over most of the region. Jackson opened its tram Dec. 3, Big Sky is 91% open and Sun Valley 88%. Base depths are 5 feet in the Tetons, 3-4 feet elsewhere, so most areas are set for an excellent holiday season.

Utah: Late October/early November snowfall of 8 feet in the Cottonwoods and 4-5 feet elsewhere kicked off an excellent early season. From Thanksgiving to mid-December it snowed 7-9 feet in the Cottonwoods and 4-5 feet elsewhere. Base depths are 6-7 feet in the Cottonwoods, and 4-5 feet elsewhere. This is the most secure region for the holiday season with up to a foot during the week before Christmas.

Northern and Central Colorado: Snowmaking openings were A-Basin Oct. 23, Keystone Oct. 28 and Winter Park Oct. 31. Early November snowfall averaged 1.5 feet, with about 2 feet over the rest of the month. During the first half of December it has snowed 5 feet at Steamboat, 3+ feet at Vail and Winter Park and 2+ feet elsewhere. Base depths are 3-4 feet at the former 3 areas, which are closest to full operation for the holidays. Elsewhere the base is under 3 feet, which means it will take more snow to open steeper terrain. Less than a foot fell during the week before Christmas.

Southern and Western Colorado: Early November snowfall was almost 3 feet at Wolf Creek and about half that elsewhere. 1-2 feet fell over the rest of the month. First half of December snow was 2-3 feet and just a few inches last week. Wolf Creek's base is 40-45 inches, but most areas have not much over 2 feet. Aside from Aspen/Snowmass and Wolf Creek, this region is low on snowfall and advanced terrain needs much more snow to open.

Northeast: Warm weather and rain prevented any areas from opening for the first half of November. Through mid-December there was intermittent cold weather for snowmaking but storms were nearly all rain. 2-3 feet of snow fell Dec. 16-18. Rain on Dec. 23 closed many recently opened trails, but the storm ended with enough snow for some areas to remain over half open. Percents open: Okemo 43%, Hunter 55%, Sunday River 34%, Sugarloaf 23%, Tremblant 14%, St. Anne 3%.

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