2024-25 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 24, 2024

Late October 2024 and early November saw moderate snowfall mostly in northern regions but then trending southeast into Colorado and New Mexico. Wolf Creek and Pajarito had widespread natural snow runs open by Nov. 10. Mid-November storms concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, but later in the month spread inland, especially to central Colorado. Areas in or close to full operation at the end of November included Mt. Baker, Mammoth, Lookout Pass, Grand Targhee and Wolf Creek, with Whistler and Mt. Bachelor having deep enough snowpacks to be set for the holidays. December snowfall up to Christmas was concentrated in the Pacific Northwest with moderate snowfalls in adjacent regions while the Southwest was bone dry. Snow is predicted over most of the West during the holidays but still strongest in the northern regions. Snowfall totals in italics are estimates from Open Snow.

California: Several small snowfalls through mid-November assisted snowmaking openings. Stronger storms over the last week of November totaled 4 feet at Mammoth and 1-3 feet at Tahoe based upon elevation, leaving Mammoth with by far the best conditions in the region. After two dry weeks it snowed 3+ feet northwest of Tahoe and about 2 feet elsewhere. Low elevations at Tahoe still need more snow as Palisades' base has had only 25% as much snow as higher up vs. long term average of 60%. Holiday base depths average 3 feet at Tahoe and 4-5 feet at Mammoth. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: This was the strongest November opening in the region in over a decade with multiple storms. Mt. Baker was fully open for Thanksgiving, while Whistler and Mt. Bachelor attained 4+ foot bases. 2-3 feet of snow fell in the first half of December, and another 2 feet since then. Mt. Bachelor's Dec. 10 Summit opening was the earliest in over a decade. This region has the most snow (5+ foot bases) for the holidays.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: November snowfall was high from the Northwest storms along the U.S. border and west of the Selkirks but closer to average farther east. Fernie, Whitewater and the upper half of Revelstoke attained 4+ foot bases. West of Rogers Pass an average 1.5 feet of snow fell during the first half of December, plus 2 feet more before Christmas, leaving average bases of 5 feet. Sun Peaks and Silver Star are 90+% open on 4 foot bases. Areas east of Rogers Pass average 3 foot bases.

U. S. Northern Rockies: The Interior Northwest was loaded with snow from the November storms and is an excellent holiday destination with another 3 feet so far in December and 4 foot bases. Lookout Pass opened weekends starting Nov. 9. Farther south November snowfall was no better than average. Targhee reached full operation in early December but Jackson was very limited until a 3 foot storm during the third week of December. Jackson is still less than half open but substantial snow is predicted during the holiday week.

Utah: Utah's November was slightly below average in both snowfall and end of month open terrain. Alta opened more than half of runs in early December but other areas are very limited with base depths less than 3 feet. December snowfall before Christmas was less than 2 feet though bigger storms are expected before New Year's.

Northern and Central Colorado: The first snowmaking openings were A-Basin and Keystone Nov. 2. Snowfall was consistent and above average from late October through mid-November and topped off by 2-3 feet the last week of November, the snowiest November since 2010. However, December snowfall up to Christmas has averaged only one foot. Base depths have settled down to less than 3 feet, so more snow will be needed to expand open terrain.

Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek opened October 22 on 26 inches of snow and was close to full operation by Nov. 10. Pajarito, New Mexico opened one top to bottom lift and about 3/4 of terrain Nov. 9 on 44 inches snowfall. But New Mexico has had almost no snow since then. Aspen and Crested Butte had similar high November snow as the I-70 areas while southern Colorado had less but was still above average. December snowfall before Christmas has been a foot at Aspen but no more than 3 inches farther south. Aside from Wolf Creek, the Southwest looks limited for the holidays with base depths around two feet.

Northeast: No one opened during a warm October in New England or eastern Canada. November snowmaking was intermittent, so Nov. 15 Killington opened 3%, Sunday River 2% and Whiteface opened 7% weekends. Some areas missed Thanksgiving openings with ongoing warm weather in November. The first week of December was colder with 1-3 feet of natural snow. Some trail counts declined during the second week with mixed precipitation. Northern Vermont is set for a good holiday week with clear weather after 1.5 - 2 feet of new snow. Percents open: Okemo 43%, Hunter 45%, Sunday River 39%, Sugarloaf 19%, Tremblant 50%, St. Anne 41%.

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