The 2003-04 ski season had a promising start over most of the West in November, led by Utah with about double normal snowfall. Early December western storms hit the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies, followed by a week of widespread storms. After a short respite, last week's big dumps have confirmed the best overall holiday season since 1996-97 for western destination resorts.
California: From Halloween through mid-November there
were several small storms totalling 3-4 feet. After nearly 3 dry
weeks there were numerous storms totalling 3-6 feet in
mid-December. All areas were at least 80% open before Christmas.
With the past week's dumps of 4-6 feet Mott Canyon and Broken Arrow
opened, leaving Squaw's Silverado as the only noteworthy terrain
not yet open. Current base depths range from 4-11 feet. See Current California Ski Conditions for more
details on Southern California and Mammoth.
RSN December Snow: Northstar 80, Sierra-at-Tahoe 85.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Squaw 8,000 |
164 |
122% |
95% |
Kirkwood |
227 |
162% |
100% |
Mammoth |
196 |
180% |
100% |
Southern Cal |
15 |
59% |
0-59% |
Pacific Northwest: There was little snow for the first
half of November, but this region was pounded over the next month,
with some rain mix at low elevation. Whistler reached full
operation a week before Christmas. Washington and Oregon have had
comparable snow, and most areas have been in majority to full
operation since Thanksgiving. After 2-4 feet new last week, base
depths range from 54-103 inches, topped by Mt. Baker's 126-139 inch
base.
RSN December Snow: Mt. Bachelor 84.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Whistler |
187 |
122% |
100% |
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: The Banff region had
a snowy November and has been in majority operation since early
December. The Kootenay region has had a good December from
Northwest storms. Whitewater opened most terrain Dec. 6 and Red Mt.
Dec. 13. The Okanagan region has been more average, but most areas
throughout B.C. are at least 80% open except Big White which is at
64%. Fernie has the most snow with an 82-inch base.
RSN December Snow: Red Mt. 31, Sunshine 25.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Lake Louise |
84 |
98% |
95% |
Fernie |
139 |
96% |
100% |
U. S. Northern Rockies: Jackson had its best opening
weekend in 7 years, 75% operation including the tram on Dec. 6. The
Tetons have had another 5 feet since Christmas and Targhee's base
is now 61-89 inches. These storms hit Bridger Bowl hardest, with
over 6 feet, and the 3 feet at Big Sky will allow the Lone Peak
runs to open soon pending avalanche control. Most of Sun Valley's
trails are covered by snowmaking and the bowls are skiable on
blown-in snow, including 19 inches since Christmas. Schweitzer has
been 100% open since mid-December and its base is 54-71 inches.
RSN December Snow: Big Sky 82, Schweitzer 41.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Big Mountain |
124 |
106% |
100% |
Grand Targhee |
213 |
138% |
100% |
Jackson Hole |
198 |
148% |
100% |
Sun Valley |
63 |
93% |
90% |
Utah: Utah had double normal snow in November. A
significant sign of the strong start to Utah's season was that Park
City and the Canyons were about 2/3 open for Thanksgiving,
including the advanced runs in Jupiter Bowl and 9,990. Most of
December was more average but it has dumped 5-8 feet since
Christmas. All areas are at least 95% open and base depths are 6
feet in the Park City region and 8 feet in the Cottonwood
Canyons.
RSN December Snow: The Canyons 100.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Alta |
285 |
166% |
100% |
Snowbird |
277 |
188% |
100% |
Jupiter Bowl at Park City |
238 |
171% |
99% |
Snowbasin |
200 |
188% |
100% |
Brian Head |
118 |
118% |
100% |
Northern and Central Colorado: Snowfall is close to
normal at most areas, with a typical few inches per week at most
areas. Steamboat has had the most snow and has been close to full
operation since before Christmas. Advanced terrain is mostly open
at the high snow areas of Steamboat, Vail and Winter Park, but more
limited in Summit County.
RSN December Snow: Loveland 32.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Beaver Creek |
104 |
93% |
94% |
Breckenridge |
75 |
83% |
61% |
Copper Mt. |
102 |
110% |
69% |
Keystone |
51.5 |
84% |
86% |
Steamboat |
153 |
119% |
100% |
Vail |
115 |
95% |
95% |
Winter Park |
131.7 |
107% |
80% |
Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek was once again
North America's early season leader. It reached full operation Nov.
15 and currently has a 77-80 inch base after 3+ feet new snow since
Christmas. Most other areas in the region have had 2-3 feet new
last week. Telluride is 88% open and Crested Butte 88% of trails
plus some of the North Face opened last weekend. Only in New Mexico
has snow been below average and advanced terrain (Taos only 31%
open) very limited for the holidays.
RSN December Snow: Telluride 54, Crested Butte 49, Taos
39.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Aspen |
117 |
155% |
96% |
Durango |
100.5 |
123% |
100% |
Wolf Creek |
181 |
167% |
100% |
Northeast: With a warm late October and change in
Killington's early season strategy, no Eastern area opened before
November 9. With ongoing rain and warm weather even the snowmaking
leaders were no more than 10-15% open at the end of November.
December has been a tumultuous month, with several huge storms but
not all of them snow. The first two weekends of December featured
2-4 foot dumps but there was a big rain in between. Late December
storms were mostly snow in Quebec and northern NH and Vermont but
mostly rain elsewhere in New England. The Northern Vermont snowbelt
is over 100 inches snowfall for the month and about 90% of terrain
is open. Other percents of area open: Mt. Ste. Anne 44%, Mt.
Tremblant 78%, Sunday River 61%, Sugarloaf 50%, Killington 74%,
Okemo 75%, Stratton 78%. Surface conditions are variable due to the
rain at many areas on Christmas Eve and warm weather since then. 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: Killington 74, Okemo 51, Stratton 66,
Sugarloaf 81, Mt. Ste. Anne 24, Mt. Tremblant 40, Snowshoe 49.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Jay (min.) |
146 |
141% |
84% |
Stowe |
175 |
183% |
98% |
Sugarbush |
129 |
138% |
86% |
Cannon Mt. |
96 |
229% |
36% |