Where the Hell is the Snow? – Take 3
January 29, 2025
I am stunned that I am writing yet another piece (our third!) entitled Where the Hell is the Snow? I wrote the first on December 2nd. At that point I was mildly surprised at the lack of snow in western North America, but it was way too early to panic. The second article was dated December 22 and written during a two day rainstorm in Alta, Utah. Mild panic had set in for the western ski community. At that point the central US Rocky Mountains had very little snow, the northwest had been plagued by rain and snow cycles, and only pockets of central British Columbia had reliable coverage.
Let’s first recognize that the northeast is having an incredible winter. The snow globe has rarely left Jay Peak in far northern VT and they have now received over 300 inches!! While snow amounts are less as one ventures south, most areas are exceeding their average snowfall. And while some immature snow has plagued southern New England, most areas have a substantial base and respectable conditions.
But here we are at the end of January and little has changed in the west. The good news – the storm that rumbled across much of the country in the last few days dropped 12-18 inches in the southwest and parts of Colorado. The bad news – that was on top of dirt. Even areas that benefited from this storm are reporting base depths in the 20-40 inch range and are cautioning that “early season” conditions exist. The problem is we are past the “early season” stage.
More northern areas in the west continue to suffer. Bachelor in Oregon has recently closed parts of the mountain due to lack of snow and is reporting a 28 inch base. Red Mountain in southern BC is “waiting on Mother Nature to provide us with a reset…” Whistler/Blackcomb features a banner at the top of their snow report that states – “EARLY SEASON CONDITIONS Stay On Groomed Runs.” The one bright spot – areas in more northern interior BC like Kicking Horse and the Banff resorts have decent coverage and conditions.
All you need to know about Utah conditions is that I am writing this as I sit on the coast of Maine looking at a frozen ocean. Alta and Snowbird are the only areas with OK coverage, but even there the skiing is essentially limited to groomed trails. I spent a week carving slick groomed trails and then headed east last week. Let’s just say the steeps aren’t deep. Park City and Dear Valet are relying mostly on manmade snow with very thin coverage on natural snow trails and bowls.
And here is the real kicker – there doesn’t seem to be relief in sight. We don’t trust long range forecasts when the general weather pattern is unsettled. But the weather pattern isn’t unsettled. Our most trusted forecast for Utah stated today – “A boring, depressing, you name it forecast will continue…nothing is (in sight) that will significantly ease the pain that is this winter.” OUCH!
Be Well; Ski Well.
PS – Pray for Snow!
Kevin Dennis is a life long ski bum with a 34 year legal career on the side. Now retired, he skis 80+ days a year. While he lives in Alta UT in the winters, he has traveled extensively through skiing and has skied almost every major resort in North America (and many you have never heard of). He continues to hit the road often throughout the western United States and Canada and trips over the last several years have included ventures in British Columbia, Montana and Colorado. Whether you want to know about the behemoths like Aspen or Squaw or are interested in the road less travelled (Lost Trail Powder Mountain in Montana or Whitewater in BC anyone?), Kevin has been there, has an opinion and you will most likely have to tell him to shut up after a half hour!
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