2022-23 Ski Season Analysis as of May 27, 2023

2022-23 was a third consecutive La Nina season but snowfall did not reflect the usual La Nina pattern. Record high snow fell in Utah and some of California with well above average snow in adjacent states Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona and western Colorado. Western Canada, Washington, Montana, Front Range Colorado and New Mexico were average or lower.

Prior Progress Reports
October 31, 2022
November 10, 2022
November 19, 2022
November 25, 2022
December 1, 2022
December 9, 2022
December 16, 2022
December 24, 2022
January 1, 2023
January 8, 2023
January 15, 2023
January 31, 2023
February 14, 2023
March 1, 2023
March 16, 2023
March 31, 2023
April 9, 2023

Late October 2022 saw widespread moderate snowfall through much of the West. Some of this snowpack persisted in Utah and the Tetons as the first third of November was very snowy there as well as California. It was then mostly dry to Thanksgiving, so only Utah and the Tetons include October snowfall in the tables below. The earlier storms opened the majority of terrain at Grand Targhee, Mammoth and all 4 of Utah's Cottonwood Canyon areas on 4 foot bases. Widespread snow over most of the West through mid-December opened much more terrain. While most regions saw only modest snow the week before Christmas, many areas in the Sierra, Utah and northern Rockies were already set for the holidays on 4-6+ foot bases.

Intense atmospheric rivers hit the West Coast over the holidays with 4-6 feet of snow but also with lower elevation rain. These storms pushed into inland regions as well, particularly Utah. AR storms through the Sierra and Utah continued through January 19. During the rest of January storms were modest in the coastal regions but intense over most of the Rockies. The first half of February brought widespread but modest snows to most regions, with somewhat more in the Pacific Northwest. During the third week of February bigger storms hit the northern regions, and during the last week of February massive storms hit California, Utah and the Southwest.

The first half of March brought widespread snow to most regions, putting 2022-23 on track to possibly be the second best overall snowfall season in North America behind 2010-11. Second half of March storms continued the most frequent pattern of the season, concentrating upon California, Utah and the Southwest. Winter conditions prevailed over nearly all of the western US at the end of March. One more intense storm in early April slammed Oregon and Utah with lesser amounts in other regions. A warmup and widespread spring conditions finally emerged by the second weekend of April. Second half of April snowfall was average in northern regions and below average farther south. The drier than average spring put 2022-23 in 6th place for overall ski area snowfall since 1976.

Comprehensive snow statistics are shown in the 2022-23 Ski Season Summary.

California: It snowed up to a foot during the first week of November, then 2+ feet at Tahoe and 4 feet at Mammoth Nov. 7-9. It snowed 3-4 feet Dec. 1-4 and another 3-4 feet Dec. 10-11. Base depths of 5-7+ feet were the deepest for mid-December since 2004. Two storms during Christmas Week dumped 3 feet plus considerable rain at low elevation and up to 6 feet above 9,000 feet, bringing average base depths up to 8 feet. During the first week of January another 4+ feet fell above 8,000 feet with 2-3 feet and some rain lower down. 6-9 feet more fell during the second week of January, bringing base depths to 10-15 feet. During these three weeks Arizona got 6 feet of snow while Southern California ski areas had mostly rain and about 2 feet of snow. The Sierra storms finished Jan. 19 with another 2-3 feet but Arizona got 6 feet more during the second half of January. The Sierra had a storm just under 2 feet Feb. 5-6. From February 24 - March 2 it dumped 8-11 feet in the Sierra, 9+ feet in Southern California and 7+ feet in Arizona. Despite considerable low elevation rain, even the lowest Sierra areas had 6 more feet of snow by mid-March, while higher elevations got 8-10 feet. Farther south, Arizona got 4 feet while it was all rain in Southern California. Second half of March snowfall was 3-4 feet at Tahoe and in Southern California, 5 feet in Arizona and 7 feet at Mammoth, which surpassed its former snowfall record from 2010-11. Spring conditions developed after a few inches during the first week of April. There was no snow the rest of April but up to a foot fell the first week of May. Palisades will be open to July and Mammoth to August. See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.

Pacific Northwest: There were three storms in late October but the last one was all rain. Early November storms started as rain but ended as snow. The Whistler alpine cams showed a considerable base Nov. 10, but opened 9% at Thanksgiving with no more new snow. After Thanksgiving it snowed 4 feet in Washington and 3 feet in Oregon with another 2-3 feet during the first half of December, yielding base depths of 5 feet at Mt. Baker (95% open) and 3-4 feet elsewhere. After another foot of new snow, Christmas weekend was ugly with freezing rain and some temporary closures. 2 feet of snow after Christmas restored surfaces, bringing base depths to 8 feet at Mt. Baker and 5 feet elsewhere. Less than a foot fell in Washington/Oregon during the first week of January but more at Whistler. During the second week of January 2 feet fell in Oregon and one foot farther north with some low elevation rain late in the week. A little under 2 feet of snow fell during the second half of January. These areas had the most new snow during the first half of February, about 3 feet. Second half of February snowfall was 4-5 feet in Oregon and 2 feet farther north. First half of March snowfall was 5 feet in Oregon, 4 feet in Washington and 3 feet at Whistler. Second half of March snowfall was 5 feet in Oregon, 2 feet at Crystal but less than a foot farther north. Early April snowfall ranged from just under 3 feet at Whistler to nearly 4 feet at Mt. Bachelor. Later April snowfall was 3+ feet at higher elevations but mixed rain and snow lower down.

Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: Late October and early November snowfall was above average but it was mostly dry for the next 3 weeks. From Thanksgiving through Christmas 4+ feet of snow fell in the Okanagan and Kootenay regions, but only half as much around Banff, which still has low tide conditions at the end of January. 1.5 - 3 feet fell during the holiday week, bringing Okanagan and Kootenay base depths to 4-5 feet. Banff was mostly dry during the first half of January while Okanagan and Kootenay areas got 1-2 feet of snow. Second half of January snowfall was 2 feet in the Okanagan, which was about average through the first half of the season. Other regions had only a foot during the second half of January so many areas were well below average for mid-season. 1.5 - 2 feet of snow fell during the first half of February. Second half of February snowfall averaged 2 feet near the US border but 3+ feet farther north. First half of March snowfall was about a foot in the Banff areas and 2+ feet elsewhere. Second half of March snowfall averaged less than a foot with only Big White getting 1.5 feet. Early April snowfall was about a foot with 2+ feet later in the month. Silver Star and Sun Peaks were 90+% open since Christmas.

U. S. Northern Rockies: Late October/early November snowfall was 4-6 feet in the Tetons and 2-3 feet elsewhere. There was 2-3 feet after Thanksgiving, another 2-3 feet during the first half of December and a foot the week before Christmas over most of the region. Jackson opened its tram Dec. 3, Big Sky was 91% open for Christmas. Christmas base depths were 5 feet in the Tetons, 3-4 feet elsewhere, and it snowed another 2+ feet over the holidays at many areas. During the first week of January it snowed a foot in the Tetons but not much elsewhere. During the second week of January it snowed 2 feet in the Tetons, a foot in Idaho and less in Montana. The Tetons had an intense 4 foot dump the last weekend of January. Elsewhere late January snowfall ranged from under 2 feet near Canada to 3 feet at Bridger and Big Sky. Most areas got about 1.5 feet of snow during the first half of February. Second half of February snowfall was 5+ feet in the Tetons, 3 feet in central Idaho and 2 feet farther north. First half of March snowfall was 2 feet in Montana and 4-5 feet in Idaho and the Tetons. Second half of March snowfall was less than a foot near the Canadian border but 2-3 feet elsewhere, except for 8 feet at Targhee. Early April snowfall was 2 feet in the Tetons and averaged one foot farther north. Later April snowfall was 3+ feet in the Tetons and SW Montana but much less elsewhere.

Utah: Late October/early November snowfall of 8 feet in the Cottonwoods and 4-5 feet elsewhere kicked off an excellent early season. From Thanksgiving to mid-December it snowed 7-9 feet in the Cottonwoods and 4-5 feet elsewhere. Christmas base depths were 6-7 feet in the Cottonwoods, and 4-5 feet elsewhere. During the holidays it has snowed 4+ feet in the Cottonwoods and 3 feet elsewhere. Alta snowfall through December was second all time to 1983-84, and it snowed another 3-4 feet during each of the first two weeks of January. Second half of January snowfall was 6 feet in the Cottonwoods and southern Utah and 3 feet elsewhere. Alta Collins' 472 inches through January blew away the prior record of 380 inches in 1992-93. First half of February snowfall was 2+ feet in the Cottonwoods and 1 foot elsewhere. It snowed up to 2 feet during the third week and 4-6 feet during the last week of February. First half of March snowfall was 7-8 feet in the Cottonwoods and 5 feet elsewhere. All of the Wasatch areas set new season snowfall records by the end of March with 6-10 feet more new snow. 3-6 feet more snow fell before spring finally arrived the second weekend of April. 1-2 feet of snow fell during the rest of April.

Area	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	Total	Pct. of Normal
Alta	113	163	186	110	229	92	903	175%
Solitude (upper)	109	130	170	111	229	60	809	174%
Park City (mid)	67	82	120	72	138	39	518	180%
Snowbasin	66	79	128	74	187	83	617	195%

Northern and Central Colorado: Snowmaking openings were A-Basin Oct. 23, Keystone Oct. 28 and Winter Park Oct. 31. Early November snowfall averaged 1.5 feet, with about 2 feet over the rest of the month. During the first half of December it snowed 5 feet at Steamboat, 3+ feet at Vail and Winter Park and 2+ feet elsewhere. Christmas base depths were 3-4 feet at the former 3 areas, which were closest to full operation for the holidays. Less than a foot fell during the week before Christmas, but an average 2 feet fell during Christmas Week. First half of January snowfall was 3+ feet at Steamboat and 2 feet elsewhere. Second half of January snowfall was 3 feet at most places but 4+ at Winter Park and Beaver Creek and 6 feet at Steamboat and Vail. First half of February snowfall was just under 2 feet at Steamboat but less than a foot elsewhere. Second half of February snowfall was 1.5 feet in Summit County but 2+ feet farther north and west. First half of March snowfall was 2+ feet. Second half of March snowfall ranged from 1.5 feet Keystone and A-Basin to 3 feet at Steamboat and Beaver Creek. In early April only Steamboat and Winter Park got much more than a foot of snow. But over the whole month the region got 3-5 feet of snow, more than any other region as in many Aprils.

Southern and Western Colorado: Early November snowfall was almost 3 feet at Wolf Creek and about half that elsewhere. 1-2 feet fell over the rest of the month. First half of December snow was 2-3 feet and just a few inches the week before Christmas. Wolf Creek's Christmas base was 40-45 inches, but most areas had bases not much over 2 feet. 2+ feet of snow fell at most areas during the holiday week. During the first week of January it snowed 4 feet at Purgatory and Wolf Creek, and 2 feet farther north, where part of Crested Butte's North Face opened. The rest of the month brought consistent snow, totaling 5 feet over 3 weeks. From Christmas through January it snowed about 4 feet in New Mexico, most of that during the second half of January. Kachina Peak opened Feb. 6. First half of February snowfall over the region averaged a foot. Second half of February snowfall was 7-8 feet at Purgatory and Wolf Creek and 3+ feet elsewhere. First half of March snowfall was 2 feet at Monarch, Telluride and Taos, but averaged 4 feet elsewhere. Second half of March snowfall was 7 feet at Wolf Creek and 3-4 feet elsewhere. April snowfall was 3-4 feet at the Aspen areas but less than half that farther south.

Northeast: Warm weather and rain prevented any areas from opening for the first half of November. Through mid-December there was intermittent cold weather for snowmaking but storms were nearly all rain. 2-3 feet of snow fell Dec. 16-18. Rain on Dec. 23 closed some recently opened trails, but the storm ended with enough snow for some areas to remain over half open. Several rain events over the two weeks after Christmas reduced many trail counts well below half. There was some recovery but overall New England trail counts were near record low for mid-January, though Quebec had more snow and less rain. The second half of January finally opened most terrain with average 3 feet of snow and colder temperatures. First half of February snowfall was generally no more than a foot, but most runs were open with varied surfaces. Rain reduced trail counts for President's weekend, but 2 feet of snow later in February reopened most terrain with good conditions. 4+ feet of snow fell in the first half of March. Second half of March snowfall was only over a foot in Northern Vermont and Quebec. Despite some rain events, most areas remained close to full operation at the end of March. Excessive rain in April rapidly reduced trail counts for a well below average spring.

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