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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