2005-06 Ski Season Summary

The following major weather patterns affected the ski season.
November: Several storms began in the Northwest but were most consistent in Montana, Wyoming and Northern Colorado. North of this track Canada had average snow but south of it Utah, California and the Southwest were very dry.
Early and mid-December: Montana, Wyoming and Northern Colorado continued to get heavy snow and had excellent conditions throughout the month. These storms extended into Utah, catching up those areas by Christmas. Adjoining regions (California and Canada) were below average and the Southwest was in severe drought.
Christmas through January: This was one of the most widespread snowy months in recent years. Everyone from Canada to the Sierra, Utah and Colorado had abundant snow, with only SoCal, Arizona and New Mexico missing out.
February: Snowfall was average early and late but the middle 2 weeks were much drier than normal.
March and early April: Storms consistently pounded the Sierra, with above average snow in the Northwest and Utah also. These storms finally broke the extreme Southwest drought. The northern areas favored in the early season had below average snow.
Late spring: While winter lasted deep into April in the Sierra and Utah, there wasn't much spring. Temperatures warmed rapidly to summer levels, and only Mammoth remained open until July.
For more detail on snow incidence by month and region, see 2005-06 Ski Season Analysis.