2006-07 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 31, 2006

In the Northwest and western Canada November snowfall was at or near record levels. Colorado's snowfall started in October and most areas there are headed for an above average Christmas, though not as good as last year. The Northern Rockies and Utah areas between are below average, and consistently high snow areas like Alta and Grand Targhee are in the best shape for the holidays. The Sierra had almost no snow in November but is gradually opening more runs during an average December. The first week of December was fairly quiet; during the second week the storm track resumed a similar northwest pattern as in November. The Denver blizzard of Dec. 20-21 with a few exceptions dumped less snow in Colorado ski areas than in Denver. Christmas week has brought about a foot of snow to most western areas, and 2+ feet along the West Coast and a few areas in the Northern Rockies. New Year's weather is mostly clear, with only western Canada expecting imminent new snow.

With more areas posting season snowfall since 2003-04, I am no longer tracking the less reliable numbers from RSN, except in regions where no nearby area has up-to-date information. I am now including season snowfall from some areas italicized from SnoCountry.

California: North Tahoe was brushed by a couple of the November storms and there have been a series of moderate December storms totalling 5-6 feet. The last storm of Dec. 26-27 has created a base adequate to open 50-70% of terrain as opposed to the 20-50% before Christmas. Estimated percents open: Alpine Meadows 70%, Heavenly 35%, Northstar 50%, Sierra-at-Tahoe 50%, Sugar Bowl 70%. Based on eyewitness reports the off-piste base is still thin, so the estimated percents of acreage open are less than reported percents of trails. It is therefore likely that expert terrain like Mott Canyon and numerous steep lines at Squaw Valley will not skiable before mid-January. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Squaw 8,000	118	89%	50%
Kirkwood	74	52%	65%
Mammoth	63	56%	65%
Southern Cal	12	480%	10-65%
Arizona Snowbowl	31	47%	closed

Pacific Northwest: The late October/early November storms rivaled the infamous Tropical Punch of January 2005 for flooding and high snow levels. But for the rest of November temperatures were cold and it dumped record snow. Current base depths are 135-145 inches at Mt. Baker, 91 inches at Whistler and 5-7 feet elsewhere. Mt. Hood Meadows opened fully Dec. 9 after repair of its washed out access road. There was some rain in early December, but 6-8 feet more snow the past three weeks have continued the epic Northwest early season.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Whistler	271	176%	100%
Stevens Pass	190	112%	100%
Crystal Mt.	221	166%	100%
Mt. Bachelor	201	147%	100%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Enough of the Northwest November storms reached interior B.C. and Alberta for a near record start. Most areas have been 80+% open and several 100% since mid-December. Most interior B.C. areas have had about 5 feet of snow in December, but Alberta areas only about half as much.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Lake Louise	81	128%	99%
Kicking Horse	209	206%	99%
Red Mt.	132	130%	100%
Fernie	146	101%	100%

U. S. Northern Rockies: The early Northwest storms hit northern Idaho hard, but otherwise most of this region had average or less early snow. Particularly behind schedule were Big Sky (only 27% open Dec. 22) and Bridger, which had to delay its scheduled Dec. 9 opening by 2 weeks. These areas got 1.5 feet of snow this week and Big Sky is now 59% open. Jackson was also lagging, but the 2 feet of snow this week have finally opened the lower faces of Rendezvous Mt. As usual Grand Targhee was the exception, maintaining its record of consistency by reaching full operation by Dec. 15.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Schweitzer	179	186%	97%
Big Mountain	107	90%	87%
Grand Targhee	168	106%	100%
Jackson Hole	121	90%	91%
Sun Valley	77	115%	88%

Utah: Snowfall has been slightly below average with biggest storms coming in late November. Alta and Brighton have the best cover and current conditions. The Park City group and Snowbasin still have a few advanced areas that need more coverage. After 3-5 feet new snow over the last 3 weeks, base depths are over 4 feet in the Cottonwood Canyons and about 3 feet elsewhere. Brian Head got 2+ feet this week to open most runs.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Alta	142	85%	95%
Snowbird	121	81%	93%
Solitude	122	87%	98%
Park City group	82	84%	90%
Snowbasin	81	76%	86%
Brian Head	78	77%	80%

Northern and Central Colorado: These areas had 2-4+ feet of October snow and a normal November of 3-4 feet and 1-2 feet in early December. The Denver storms before and after Christmas were only as strong at Winter Park and dropped an average of 2 feet elsewhere in the region. This is an above average holiday season with just a few expert runs not open yet.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Beaver Creek	107	95%	97%
Breckenridge	104	112%	93%
Copper Mt.	115	131%	93%
Keystone	105	173%	95%
Loveland	144	136%	95%
Steamboat	130.5	104%	96%
Vail	122	99%	96%
Winter Park	124.3	101%	91%

Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek had 65 inches in October and 69 in November to reach full operation first. About 90% of Aspen/Snowmass is open, more than normal for the holidays. Through mid-December regional snowfall was well above average north but well below average south. Then the first Denver blizzard originated in southern Colorado and the 2-3 foot dump opened most runs at Durango and Telluride. Some expert terrain like Crested Butte's North Face still need more snow. A year end storm dropped 22 inches at Taos, which is now 60% open vs. 40% at Christmas. Gothic is between Aspen and Crested Butte and normally gets about 30% more snow.

Area	Season Snow	Pct. of Normal	Pct. of Area Open
Gothic	131	125%	N/A
Crested Butte	86	119%	73%
Durango	103	126%	100%
Wolf Creek	187	168 %	100%
Taos	96	108%	60%

Northeast: Natural snow in October totalled 21 inches at Jay Peak and 16 inches at Killington (not included in totals below). Unfortunately November was warm so all precipitation was rain and the first openings on snowmaking were for the weekend of Nov. 18-19. There was some cold and snow for the first week of December, but it warmed up for most of the month and holiday skiing is as limited as it has ever been in the snowmaking era. Current percents open: Sunday River 36%, Sugarloaf 23%, Okemo 38%, Stratton 35%, Hunter 39%, Tremblant 44%, Mt. Ste. Anne 61%, Snowshoe 58%. 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.

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