2002-03 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 31, 2002

The I-70 corridor of Colorado had near record snowfall in the first half of November. After a dry month over most of the West, major storms hit the West Coast during the 3rd week of December and spread into much of the Rockies reduced intensity. Starting around Christmas the storm track finally moved north to help out many areas which had started the season very slowly.

California: After 2-4 feet of snow in early November the Sierra received no snow at all for a month. During the 3rd week of December the Sierra got up to 10 feet of snow, setting up North America's best holiday ski conditions. There has been another 2-4 feet of snow during the holiday period. Season snowfall is now 172 inches at Mammoth (157% of normal), 257 at the top of Kirkwood and 187 at Squaw 8,200 (136% of normal) and 92 at the base. All areas are in full operation with base depths of 4-12 feet. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.
RSN December Snow: Northstar 133, Heavenly 125.

Pacific Northwest: Normally the most reliable region by early December, the Northwest had a tough start this year, much drier and warmer than normal. Only Mt. Baker reached full operation in mid-December. Whistler was headed for its worst Christmas in over 20 years until Santa delivered 4.5 feet of snow December 24-25. Mt. Bachelor gradually accumulated snow through Christmas but has had 6 feet of snow in past week to bring the base up to 8 feet. At lower elevation Northwest skiing is improving more gradually, but base depths are now in the 4-6 foot range.
RSN December Snow:Whistler 118, Mt. Bachelor 127.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: This region had a very poor start and but has been gradually accumulating a snow base since mid-December. Lake Louise (41 inches snowfall, 48% of normal) and Sun Peaks have snowmaking runs to augment the natural terrain. With consistent modest snowfalls through the holidays Sunshine, Big White, Red and Fernie are all about 3/4 open though coverage is still sketchy at Red and Fernie base elevations. Other natural snow areas in B.C. are still no more than half open.
RSN December Snow: Sunshine 32.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Jackson has had 139 inches of snow (103% of normal), including over 3 feet during the holidays and is 90% open. Targhee is in full operation on 55-83 inches with at least 4 feet new since mid-December. Montana areas had a similar dry start to western Canada. But after 2 feet recent snow Big Mountain (72 inches snow YTD, 62% of normal) is now 80% open. Schweitzer did not open until just before Christmas but is now in full operation on a 4-5 foot base. Sun Valley has had a recent 3-foot dump for total snowfall of 86 inches, 128% of normal.
RSN December Snow: Big Sky 30

Utah: Alta has had 105 inches of snow since November 1 (61% of normal), after 43 inches in October. All lifts are open on a 45-inch base after 3+ feet new since mid-December. With base depths in the 4-foot range, only Alta and Brighton can be expected to hold coverage well with holiday crowds. While the majority of runs are open at the Park City areas, expert terrain must be sketchy with base depths of only 2-3 feet. It is very unusual for Utah to be low on snow when both California and Colorado are above average.
RSN December Snow: Snowbird 43, Park City 36.

Northern and Central Colorado: After a few lean early seasons this region had near record snowfall in November. That snow got chewed up over the ensuing dry month but was refreshed by 2-3 feet new in mid-December. Still leading the region is Vail, with 163.5 inches snowfall (132% of normal) and 98% of its 5,100 acres open since before Thanksgiving. Winter Park has had 152.5 inches (123% of normal, 88% open), Breckenridge 116 (124% of normal, 81% open) and Steamboat 137 (104% of normal, 97% open). Loveland is in full operation on a 40-inch base and Copper and Keystone 85%. Most of these areas had more terrain open at Thanksgiving than they did at Christmas 3 of the past 4 years. Despite the record pace of November, December snowfall was below average and current conditions, while good, are not yet comparable to 1995-96 or 1996-97.
RSN December Snow: A-Basin 24, Copper 21, Keystone 19.

Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek can claim another year as North America's early season leader. It reached full operation as of November 9 and currently has a 58-70 inch base. It had 6 feet of snow in October and another 100 inches (86% of normal) since November 1. Elsewhere in the region Aspen and Taos report full operation, though the current base depth averages 4 feet which means watch your step in the expert terrain. Crested Butte is 80% open (some of the North Face) and Durango and Telluride are 80-90% open with about 2 feet new in the past 2 weeks.
RSN December Snow: Aspen 22, Crested Butte 22, Durango 40, Telluride 34, Taos 19.

Northeast: Northern New England had a nice run of cold weather at the start of November plus over a foot of natural snow. As a result Killington was 30% open and Okemo 15% November 9, likely records for that early. After a one week thaw melted out half of that terrain, cold and snowy weather over the next month brought the major Vermont areas to 80+% open. Rain and variable weather degraded surface conditions in mid-December but did not reduce the number of open runs. Then a 2+ foot storm hit New England at Christmas, with southern areas benefiting the most. Jay's season snowfall is 118 inches. 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.
RSN December Snow: Stowe 58, Killington 68, Stratton 53, Sugarloaf 7.

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