2003-04 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 31, 2003

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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