2004-05 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 31, 2004

The Sierra had the most snow in October since at least 1945. These storms also dumped substantial snow in Utah. Thus Mammoth, Kirkwood, Brian Head and Utah's Cottonwood Canyons were in full operation with excellent conditions for Thanksgiving. November snowfall was well below average throughout the West until a strong final week, so skiing was still limited in other regions. After a snowy first week of December high pressure set in for over two weeks. Thus many resorts were subpar at Christmas in terms of both open terrain and surface conditions. This week big storms have finally hit the West, once again heaviest in the Sierra and Utah.

California: The October storms centered on Mammoth, which had 82 inches of snow and was 40% open for Halloween. Tahoe areas on the Sierra Crest had 4-6 feet of snow and were also partially open at least on weekends since Halloween despite only 2 feet on November snow. After a 2-4 foot storm most Tahoe terrain including KT-22 and Mott Canyon opened the second weekend of December. Two+ weeks of warm and dry weather brought hardpack/spring conditions to low elevations and sunny exposures, and Christmas conditions were about average at most Sierra resorts. The past few days have seen massive dumps of 3-7 feet, which are still ongoing. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth. Arizona Snowbowl was in full operation for Thanksgiving, very unusual, and was also hit with snow this week.
RSN December Snow: Northstar 112, Sierra-at-Tahoe 137.

Pacific Northwest: November storms had fairly high snow levels and were mostly rain in the ski areas. Early December storms dropped 1-3 feet but still substantial rain at low elevation. Mt. Baker is in full operation on a 44-54 inch base and 2 feet recent snow. Crystal Mt. opened mid-December but reports a 20-29 inch base. Mt. Bachelor is 100% open on a 52 inch base. This remains a very poor holiday season by the standards of the usually snowy Northwest despite some new snow in the past 2 weeks.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Big White, Silver Star and Sun Peaks are all at least 90% open on 4-5 foot bases and good conditions. East of the Selkirks areas are mostly open but with thinner than normal base depths of 2-4 feet. Kootenay areas like the Northwest had too much early season rain Fernie has had 2 feet new snow in the past week.
RSN December Snow: Sunshine 30.

U. S. Northern Rockies: The Tetons got over a foot so far this week and are in majority operation for the holiday. Tahoe's December storms have continued on to Sun Valley, which is having an above average holiday on its 44-66 inch base. Schweitzer is more in the NW pattern and is only 32% open. Big Sky is 67% open with a few inches new each week of December.
RSN December Snow: Big Sky 26, Bridger 55.

Utah: 4-8 feet of snow fell in October, opening Brighton for Halloween and Snowbird a week later. The Wasatch had 2-4 feet in early December, but some hardpack/spring conditions emerged in sun-exposed areas after a week of warm and dry weather. So far this week the storms have dropped 1+ to 3+ feet with more expected. Utah is still the West's leading region. The Park City areas were 70% open by mid-December and are 90+% now.

Northern and Central Colorado: After a slow start these areas got 2-3 feet at the end of November and close to 2 feet in early December. After a couple of dry weeks, most areas have recieved close to a foot this week. However the region is still having a below average holiday and some expert terrain is not yet open.
RSN December Snow: Loveland 35.

Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek is 100% open on a 66-75 inch base and 2 feet of recent snow. Durango and Telluride also benefited from several early Southwest storms and are in full operation for Christmas with close to 2 feet new. Elsewhere snowfall is average or less and despite 1+ foot recent snow much expert terrain is not yet open.

Northeast: November 9 was Killington's opening day, same as last season, and the East has struggled with frequent rain for the next month. After a week of snow and cold, eastern skiing was set back again with widespread rain just before Christmas. Percents open after some natural and snomaking this week: Killington 47%, Okemo 73%, Stowe 69%, Stratton 74%, Sugarloaf 47%, Sunday River 71%, Hunter 85%, Mt. St. Anne 90%, Tremblant 79%, Snowshoe 98%. 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 29, Stratton 24, Sugarloaf 39, Sunday River 27, Mt. Ste. Anne 35, Snowshoe 28.

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