2013-14 Ski Season Progress Report as of December 31, 2013

There was a widespread western storm at the start of October, but that snow is gone. Snow from a late October storm of 1+ foot in some of the West probably persists in well preserved locations or those with good November snow. November snowfall was below average in the western coastal regions but well above average at many areas in the Rockies. Most western areas got 1-2 feet in early December, but the middle weeks were more erratic. The western coastal regions continue to be shortchanged. Heading into the New Year the Southwest plus Montana and the Okanagan and Kootenay regions of western Canada are in the best shape, along with regional leaders Targhee, Steamboat and Alta. Snow totals exclude October for most areas, though for some whose online reporting starts at area opening it's not possible to separate it out.

California: Minimal snow was left from 2 October storms after the first 3 dry weeks in November. There was less than one foot of snow in late November, about a foot in early December and up to 2 feet of light snow mid-month and a few inches before Christmas. Open terrain in the Sierra is primarily snowmaking runs, and likely to remain so for another couple of weeks with a continued dry forecast. The Sierra should be avoided until there is a substantial dump to restore surfaces after the holidays and open more terrain. Currently no more than a quarter of terrain is open. 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

33

24%

17%

Northstar

35.5

38%

12%

Mt. Rose

31

30%

20%

Heavenly

47

45%

11%

Kirkwood

52

36%

13%

Mammoth

35

32%

25%

Southern Cal

12

45%

0-53%

Arizona Snowbowl

59

83%

90%

Pacific Northwest: The early storm caused Crystal and Stevens to open for one day each in early October. November snowfall was below average and there was about 2 feet in early December. There was average only a foot since, so the region had a poor holiday season. Current base depths are in the far below average 3 foot range except for Mt. Baker's 55-70 inches. Therefore open advanced terrain is much rockier than normal.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Whistler

73

45%

60%

Crystal Mt.

76

52%

53%

Stevens Pass

107

62%

80%

Mt. Bachelor

59

41%

30%

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: November snow was well above average in most of this region. The Okanagan and Kootenay areas had over 4 feet in December and most had excellent holiday skiing. Base depths are 5 feet at the upper elevations at Revelstoke, Fernie and Whitewater. Silver Star is 100% open on a 4 foot base and Sun Peaks 97% open on a 3.5 foot base. Farther east was sketchier through most of December, with bases 3 feet or less, but conditions improved with 2+ feet of snow the past 2 weeks.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Big White

119

108%

91%

Lake Louise

745

115%

77%

Sunshine

107

117%

83%

Revelstoke

159

113%

100%

Kicking Horse

98

98%

89%

Whitewater

146

103%

90%

Red Mt.

65

65%

89%

Fernie

142

106%

100%

Castle Mt.

93

98%

90%

U. S. Northern Rockies:Targhee opened 3/4 of terrain the weekend before Thanksgiving and Whitefish shared the early storms in Canada. Elsewhere in the region November was about average. December snow ranged from 6 feet in much of Montana to only 2.5 feet at most Idaho areas. Base depths are 5 feet at Whitefish, Bridger and Targhee for the best holiday skiing.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Grand Targhee

152

94%

98%

Jackson Hole

113

85%

69%

Whitefish

127

109%

100%

Bridger

124

125%

100%

Schweitzer

74

73%

100%

Brundage

54

48%

80%

Sun Valley

32

32%

47%

Utah: The Wasatch got the early October storm but it melted out. November snowfall was half of normal, and first half of December storms were 2-3 feet. A mid-December storm of almost 2 feet brought Cottonwood Canyon base depths close to 4 feet. With just a few inches last week advanced skiing remains limited elsewhere with current base depths no more than 3 feet.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Alta

109

61%

90%

Snowbird

107

73%

70%

Brighton/Solitude

93

55%

85%

Park City group

73

75%

78%

Snowbasin

90

86%

83%

Brian Head

62

61%

90%

Northern and Central Colorado: A-Basin and Loveland opened their first snowmaking runs on October 13 and 14. Early snowfall was above average and December slightly below average. Steamboat and Winter Park have had most terrain open since mid-December, while most other areas passed the half open mark just before Christmas. A-Basin is 44% open. Most base depths are in the 3 foot range. Some areas are reporting snow totals including early October snow that I exclude below.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Beaver Creek

89

79%

90%

Breckenridge

89

85%

71%

Copper Mt.

70

74%

70%

Keystone

55

71%

64%

Loveland

96

88%

51%

Steamboat

130

101%

99%

Vail

109

89%

86%

Winter Park

115.5

97%

90%

Southern and Western Colorado: Early October snow melted out, but late October snow was built upon in November. A strong southern storm came through during the week before Thanksgiving, followed by another 2 feet in early December and up to a foot mid-December, so base depths are well above average at 3.5 feet, and 5.5 feet at Wolf Creek. Taos had its best opening since 1996-97. While some expert terrain needs more snow, this region had a good holiday season. However the southern areas have had very little snow the past 2 weeks.

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Gothic Snow Lab

102

90%

N/A

Aspen/Snowmass

100

127%

93%

Crested Butte

100

127%

53%

Telluride

94

110%

94%

Durango

104

124%

100%

Wolf Creek

161

133%

100%

Taos

95

107%

88%

Northeast: Killington and Sunday River opened at the end of October on snowmaking. November and early December were above average for snowmaking though mostly below average for snowfall. There were 2-3 feet of snow mid-December but it rained at least to the Canadian border the weekend before Christmas. The holiday week has been cold with up to a foot of snow, but some trail counts are slightly below average. Percents open: Okemo 75%, Stratton 807%, Hunter 81%, Sunday River 64%, Sugarloaf 44%, Tremblant 96%, Ste. Anne 96%

Area

Season Snow

Pct. of Normal

Pct. of Area Open

Jay Peak (mid)

96

93%

53%

Stowe

88

93%

60%

Sugarbush

70

79%

59%

Killington

56

69%

54%

Cannon Mt.

42

86%

53%

Whiteface

45

68%

55%

Le Massif

60

73%

80%

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