2011-12 Ski Season Summary

The following major weather patterns affected the ski season.
Late October and November: Only Wolf Creek had significant October snow to open early. November snowfall was strong in Washington State, Schweitzer and western Canada. Other U.S. western ski areas ranged from half to 2/3 of normal snowfall.
December to Christmas: This was one of the most severe midwinter drought periods of the past 30 years. California was totally dry and most western ski regions averaged only 1-2 feet of snow. The exception was the far Southwest, where Arizona and New Mexico got about 4 feet and Wolf Creek 7 feet.
Christmas to mid-January: The drought's second phase was most severe in southern regions, with no snow at all in the Southwest or California and less than half normal elsewhere in the U.S. Rockies. As in November snowfall was stong in Washington, Schweitzer and western Canada.
Second half of January: The heavy snow continued in the northern regions but spread and broke the drought in Oregon, Utah and the U.S. Northern Rockies. Snowfall was average elsewhere but significant terrain was still lacking adequate cover in California and I-70 Colorado at the end of the month.
First half of February: This was a milder version of the early December pattern, with 4+ feet of snow in the Southwest and no more than 1-2 feet elsewhere.
Second half of February: This was the best overall part of the season. All regions except California had above average snow and the I-70 areas of Colorado reached and maintained full operation.
March: Snowfall was huge in the Pacific Northwest and western Canada, over twice normal. California had about 150% of normal and at last reached and maintained full operation. The U.S. Northern Rockies were average and Utah below average. Colorado had its driest ever March so the I-70 areas that had started slowly lost coverage prematurely and were in limited operation by late March.
April/May: Spring was warmer and moderately drier than normal.
The early part of the season continued the La Nina of 2010-11, but only had a positive effect in Washington State, Schweitzer and western Canada. Elsewhere it was the worst early season since 1980-81. In the Northeast only the overall 1979-80 season was as bad and while not that many areas have complete data from that season to compare it is likely that the 4 record lows listed here are worse. In I-70 Colorado Berthoud and Winter Park were lower than the previous 1980-81 records, but from scattered monthly data it's evident that the other I-70 areas had worse seasons in either 1976-77 or 1980-81. On a positive note Lake Louise and Sunshine set record highs going back over 40 years. For more detail on snow incidence by month and region, see 2011-12 Ski Season Analysis.