2007-08 Ski Season Summary

The following major weather patterns affected the ski season.
October: Snowfall was average, resulting in limited backcountry options. Lift service was exclusively on snowmaking runs at Loveland and A-Basin.
November: In the western U.S. this was the driest November since the record drought of 1976-77. All areas in California, Utah and Colorado had less than half normal snow, and several had record lows. Western Canada was below average, but enough fell at Whsitler for a fairly normal opening.
Early December: The first week of December a massive storm from Mexico brought dense, base-building snow to the Southwest, ensuring good holiday coverage throughout Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Meanwhile a typical La Nina flow of storms commenced, tracking from the Pacific Northwest into the Northern Rockies and Utah.
The rest of December: The La Nina flow continued. Only one of these storms tracked into the Sierra, normal for December but not adequate to make up for prior dry weather. Elsewhere in the West snowfall was so heavy that nearly all areas were in full operation by Christmas on above average bases despite the dry November.
January and early February: This was one of the greatest periods ever in western skiing, averaging probably 150% of normal. No one had below average snow, and many areas in Colorado and California had over 200%.
Mid-to-late February: The storms tapered off, first in Canada, then along the Pacifc Coast, with scattered snow continuing in the Rockies. When stronger storms resumed in late February, the primary track was through California, Utah and Colorado.
Early March: Another lull, again with scattered snow in the Rockies, but some warmer weather and emerging spring conditions elsewhere.
Late March: The storm track reverted to a strong La Nina pattern, pounding the Pacific Northwest and U.S. Northern Rockies. Once inland, most of the snow continued into northern Utah and Colorado rather than farther north into Canada.
Spring: The April snowfall pattern was similar to late March, moving through the Northwest, then stronger in the U.S. Rockies. Spring in the Rockies was unseasonably cool, extending Snowbird's seson to June 22.
For more detail on snow incidence by month and region, see 2007-08 Ski Season Analysis.

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