Late October 2024 and early November saw moderate snowfall mostly in northern regions but then trending southeast into Colorado and New Mexico. Wolf Creek and Pajarito had widespread natural snow runs open by Nov. 10. Mid-November storms concentrated in the Pacific Northwest, but later in the month spread inland, especially to central Colorado. Areas in or close to full operation at the end of November included Mt. Baker, Mammoth, Lookout Pass, Grand Targhee and Wolf Creek. Whistler and Vail have good snowpacks and are gradually opening more runs in December. Early December snowfall was no more than a foot in northern regions while farther south was completely dry. Next week's storms are predicted stronger but still confined to northern regions. Snowfall totals in italics are estimates from Open Snow
California: Several small snowfalls through mid-November assisted snowmaking openings. Stronger storms over the last week
of November totaled 4 feet at Mammoth and 1-3 feet at Tahoe based upon elevation, leaving Mammoth with by far the best conditions
in the region. Low elevations are marginal due to some rain and only 11 inches snowfall at Palisades' base for example.
See Current California Ski Conditions for more details on Southern California and Mammoth.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Palisades 8,000 |
59 |
93% |
35% |
Alpine Meadows |
35 |
64% |
45% |
Northstar (mid estimate) |
27 |
62% |
19% |
Mt. Rose |
39 |
83% |
35% |
Heavenly |
37 |
60% |
29% |
Kirkwood |
49 |
65% |
57% |
Mammoth |
65.5 |
113% |
95% |
Southern Cal |
3 |
22% |
0-9% |
Arizona Snowbowl |
28 |
77% |
28% |
Pacific Northwest: This was the strongest November opening in the region in over a decade with multiple storms. Mt. Baker was
fully open for Thanksgiving, while Whistler and Mt. Bachelor are very safe bets for the holidays with 4+ foot bases. Last week's storm
started as rain but ended with up to a foot of snow.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Whistler |
103 |
108% |
59% |
Stevens Pass |
85 |
103% |
70% |
Crystal Mt. |
83 |
114% |
85% |
Mt. Hood |
102 |
131% |
75% |
Mt. Bachelor |
120 |
153% |
49% |
Canadian Rockies and Interior B.C.: November snowfall was high from the Northwest storms along the U.S. border and west of the Selkirks
but closer to average farther east. Fernie, Whitewater and the upper half of Revelstoke have 4+ foot bases. Up to a foot of snow fell during the
first week of December. Sun Peaks is 78% open.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Big White |
71 |
100% |
69% |
Lake Louise |
54 |
123% |
38% |
Sunshine |
67 |
114% |
55% |
Revelstoke |
154 |
215% |
48% |
Kicking Horse |
67 |
111% |
Dec. 13 |
Red Mt. |
79 |
172% |
18% |
Fernie |
112 |
151% |
80% |
Castle Mt. |
70 |
141% |
81% |
U. S. Northern Rockies: The Interior Northwest was loaded with snow from the November storms and remains a promising holiday
destination. Just a few inches fell during the first week of December. Lookout Pass opened weekends starting Nov. 9. Farther south
November snowfall was no better than average. Targhee is in full operation but Jackson needs much more snow for a decent Christmas.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Grand Targhee |
78 |
78% |
95% |
Jackson Hole |
41 |
53% |
11% |
Whitefish |
75 |
132% |
57% |
Schweitzer |
84 |
165% |
56% |
Lookout Pass |
126 |
161% |
87% |
Brundage |
71 |
158% |
91% |
Sun Valley |
37 |
93% |
18% |
Big Sky |
70 |
92% |
31% |
Utah: Utah's November was slightly below average in both snowfall and end of month open terrain. Alta has opened more
than half of runs in early December but other areas are very limited and need much more snow for good holiday skiing.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Alta |
84 |
84% |
64% |
Snowbird SNOTEL |
67 |
75% |
11% |
Brighton/Solitude |
65 |
72% |
18% |
Park City (mid estimate) |
36 |
64% |
5% |
Snowbasin |
42 |
68% |
17% |
Brian Head |
44.5 |
84% |
7% |
Northern and Central Colorado: The first snowmaking openings were A-Basin and Keystone Nov. 2. Snowfall was consistent and above
average from late October through mid-November and topped off by 2-3 feet the last week of November, the snowiest November since 2010.
With 3 foot bases, terrain is gradually opening in December despite no new snow so far in the month.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
A-Basin |
61 |
114% |
23% |
Beaver Creek |
77 |
115% |
27% |
Breckenridge |
84 |
142% |
49% |
Copper Mt. |
107 |
187% |
56% |
Keystone |
78 |
160% |
32% |
Loveland |
66 |
100% |
13% |
Steamboat |
55 |
72% |
35% |
Vail |
84 |
116% |
61% |
Winter Park |
76 |
106% |
50% |
Southern and Western Colorado: Wolf Creek opened October 22 on 26 inches of snow and was close to full opertion by Nov. 10.
Pajarito, New Mexico opened one top to bottom lift and about 3/4 of terrain Nov. 9 on 44 inches snowfall. New Mexico had little snow
the rest of November. Aspen and Crested Butte had similar high November snow as the I-70 areas while southern Colorado had less
but was still above average. Zero snow so far in December.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Aspen/Snowmass |
71 |
152% |
37% |
Gothic Snow Lab |
69 |
108% |
N/A |
Crested Butte |
71 |
150% |
33% |
Monarch |
66 |
125% |
87% |
Telluride |
64 |
122% |
20% |
Purgatory |
43 |
87% |
48% |
Wolf Creek |
94 |
128% |
100% |
Taos |
50 |
89% |
11% |
Northeast: No one opened during a warm October in New England or eastern Canada. November snowmaking was intermittent,
so Nov. 15 Killington opened 3%, Sunday River 2% and Whiteface opened 7% weekends. Some areas missed Thanksgiving openings
with ongoing warm weather in November. Early December has been colder with 1-3 feet of natural snow. Percents open:
Okemo 33%, Hunter 28%, Sunday River 29%, Sugarloaf 38%, Tremblant 16%, St. Anne 25%.
Area |
Season Snow |
Pct. of Normal |
Pct. of Area Open |
Jay Peak (mid estimate) |
86 |
134% |
32% |
Stowe |
70 |
165% |
35% |
Sugarbush |
58 |
132% |
20% |
Killington |
61 |
151% |
57% |
Stratton |
43 |
138% |
72% |
Whiteface |
39 |
153% |
35% |
Cannon |
31 |
139% |
38% |
Le Massif |
54 |
129% |
16% |
All content herein copyright C 1996-2024 Bestsnow.net
All Rights Reserved.
No copies or reproductions may be made in whole or in part without express permission by
Tony Crocker.
Prices for commercial users will be determined based upon intended use and distribution.