California

California's most distinguishing feature is the highest variability in snowfall of any region in the West. The late 80's to early 90's drought included two seasons, 1987 and 1991, when there was virtually no natural snow on the ground by New Year's Day. Fortunately, the volatility can work the other way, as in the five consecutive years (1981-1985) or the recent 1995 season, with all areas in full operation on a six-foot base by Thanksgiving. Kirkwood turns out to be the most reliable Tahoe ski area, while Mammoth's altitude gives it the best late-season conditions.

Southern California is a complete crapshoot for natural snow, because the volatility of snowfall is even greater here than in the Sierra. For details, see History of Southern California Snow Conditions. 31% of all winter months receive less than a foot of snow, yet the 4% chance of 90 inches or more is higher than several well known destination resorts in the Rockies. Also see Southern California Ski Area Detail for specific info on the SoCal ski areas. Arizona indexes more closely with Southern California than areas in the southwest Rockies.

There are two tables below: The first contains all the statistics while the second contains summary information plus comments and analysis.
Color-coded areas link to my detailed Resort Guides published in Inside Tracks.
Explanation of Column Headings
Home Page and Other Regions

  Lift Serviced   Season Dec.-Mar. Percent Percent Average        
CALIFORNIA Altitude Season Standard 6+ Inch High Mths Low Mths Maximum Direction of Exposure
  Range Average Deviation Powder Days GE 90 in. LT 30 in. Base Depth North East West South
                       
Alpine Meadows, Calif. 7,000 7,000-8,700 367 127 16.2% 35% 25% 120 45% 18% 25% 12%
Central Sierra Snow Lab - Boreal, Cal. 7,200 7,200-8,000 391 131 16.6% 36% 23% 120 85% 0% 0% 15%
Northstar, Calif. 7,800 6,400-8,600 295 119 13.3% 27% 36% N/A 50% 30% 20% 0%
Palisades Tahoe, Calif. 6,200 6,200-9,050 264 104 11.4% 17% 41% N/A 50% 40% 2% 8%
Palisades Tahoe, Calif. 8,000 6,200-9,050 424 155 19.9% 46% 24% N/A 50% 40% 2% 8%
Sugar Bowl, Calif. 7,000 6,883-8,383 425 154 19.3% 41% 21% 195 55% 15% 28% 2%
Mt. Rose, Nev. 8,600 7,900-9,700 313 131 14.8% 26% 35% N/A 58% 30% 12% 0%
Heavenly, Calif. 8,400 6,500-10,000 255 103 11.1% 16% 36% 95 60% 10% 25% 5%
Heavenly, Calif. 10,000 6,500-10,000 379 163 17.4% 35% 30% N/A 60% 10% 25% 5%
Sierra at Tahoe, Calif. 7,746 6,640-8,852 402 151 16.4% 36% 24% N/A 50% 2% 12% 36%
Kirkwood (Carson Pass), Calif. 8,526 7,800-9,800 461 174 20.3% 44% 18% N/A 65% 25% 10% 0%
Bear Valley, Calif. 7,750 6,600-8,495 354 135 16.0% 33% 27% N/A 55% 20% 23% 2%
June Mtn, Calif. 8,700 7,545-10,135 277 122 11.9% 18% 38% 90 65% 5% 30% 0%
Mammoth Mtn, Calif. 9,600 or 8,900 7,953-11,053 358 141 15.2% 32% 30% 145 65% 22% 10% 3%
Southern California Composite 7,000 - 8,000 6,500-8,800 128 65 5.8% 4% 66% N/A 45% 70% 70% 5% 20% 15% 35% 10% 15% 15% 0% 0%
Arizona Snowbowl 1, Ariz. 9,500 9,000-11,100 168 66 7.5% 3% 50% N/A 35% 0% 65% 0%
Arizona Snowbowl 2, Ariz. 10,800 9,000-11,100 242 97 10.9% 12% 34% N/A 35% 0% 65% 0%

  Lift Serviced      
CALIFORNIA Altitude Season Weather Restrictions, Powder Potential  
  Range Average and Other Considerations Best Time to Ski
         
Alpine Meadows, Calif. 7,000 7,000-8,700 367 Good bowls, some trees, less competition than Palisades. Better base area conditions than Squaw in early season or low snow years. 400+ snow avg. in peak area. Entire area closes when avalanche threatens. Then try sheltered resorts east of the Sierra Crest. January for surface conditions, February and March for maximum coverage.
Central Sierra Snow Lab - Boreal, Calif. 7,200 7,200-8,000 391 Small area on Donner Summit, gets good snow. Cool Sierra Ski Museum on site. Central Sierra Snow Lab in forest below. Similar to above.
Northstar, Calif. 7,800 6,400-8,600 295 Very well protected with good trees for storm skiing, particularly on backside.  Snowmaking, grooming and lack of steep terrain mean less coverage required than at other Sierra areas. January and February for surface conditions.
Palisades Tahoe, Calif. 6,200 6,200-9,050 264 Only KT and Squaw Creek (1,000 of area’s 4,000 acres) remain open in big storms. Premier expert area, so untracked snow doesn’t last long. Needs six foot base to open many expert runs. Steepest runs must close in icy conditions. January for surface conditions, February and March for maximum coverage.
Palisades Tahoe, Calif. 8,000 6,200-9,050 424 Sierra Crest from Headwall to Granite Chief gets as much snow as Sugar Bowl and Kirkwood, but conditions vary more with east exposure. January for surface conditions, February and March for maximum coverage.
Sugar Bowl, Calif. 7,000 6,883-8,383 425 Often overlooked. Reasonably sized with good terrain and snowfall, and base depths comparable to Kirkwood. Similar to above
Mt. Rose, Nev. 8,600 7,900-9,700 313 Steep KT-type chutes opened in 2005. Most volatile snowfall in the Sierra, but high base elevation can escape rain vs. many Tahoe areas. February and March for maximum coverage
Heavenly Valley, Calif. 8,400 6,500-10,000 255 Fewer weather restrictions (and much less snow) than other major Tahoe areas.  For moguls, Gunbarrel is probably steepest run in the West with snowmaking. February and March for maximum coverage, but snowmaking runs are generally all skiable by January.
Heavenly Valley, Calif. 10,000 6,500-10,000 379 Excellent trees for storm skiing, particularly on Nevada side. Top of California has renowned Tahoe views. February and March for maximum coverage.  Expert Nevada Mott Canyon is often not open before then.
Sierra at Tahoe, Calif. 7,746 6,640-8,852 402 Most forested/protected of the high snowfall Sierra Crest areas, but top lifts can still close for wind. January for surface conditions, February/March for maximum coverage.
Kirkwood (Carson Pass), Calif. 8,526 7,800-9,800 461 Located on Carson Pass. Best in state for quantity and quality of snow. Many runs require traverses to reach. One of upper three lifts has enough trees to operate in bad weather. Most consistent Tahoe area anytime except extreme drought (minimal snowmaking).
Bear Valley, Calif. 7,750 6,600-8,495 354 Steepest runs low altitude below lodge. No road connection to Tahoe, so less competitive. January for surface conditions, February and March for maximum coverage.
June Mtn, Calif. 8,700 7,545-10,135 277 Well protected. Go here instead of Mammoth during storms. February and March for maximum coverage.
Mammoth Mtn, Calif. 9,600 or 8,900 7,953-11,053 358 Top closed 10-20% of the time for wind, visibility or avalanche. Upper bowls often wind-packed. Deeper snow off Chair 22 chutes and trees. Needs four-five foot base on advanced terrain. Quality late spring skiing in bowls, bumps and salted groomed runs. March and April.  Most of the advanced runs remain packed powder into April, and only Snowbird would likely offer as much terrain with winter conditions as far into the spring.
Southern California Composite 7,000 - 8,000 6,500-8,800 128 Swift transition to spring conditions on warm days, but most areas can make snow at night.  Only Mt. Baldy subject to wind and avalanche.  Baldy has best in-bounds terrain, but powder lasts longer on Mt. Waterman's backcountry runs to Angeles Crest Hwy. December and January on extensive snowmaking at Snow Summit and Bear Mt.(snow avg. 80-100 in.).  After new snow on steeper San Gabriel Mt. areas (Baldy, Waterman and Mt. High: snow avg. 160-180 in.).
Arizona Snowbowl 1, Ariz. 9,500 9,000-11,100 168 Arizona receives the same storms as Southern California, but more snow and less rain due to altitude. February and March for maximum coverage.
Arizona Snowbowl 2, Ariz. 10,800 9,000-11,100 242 Snowfall amount difference not significant, but quality is. As above.

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