December 22, 2025

I wrote several weeks ago lamenting that except for the northeast there was very little snow in all of North America (missed it? read Where the Hell is the Snow!?). We hoped (assumed?) that we would not revisit the topic again. But here we are. Amazingly, there is very little good news.

Jay Peak still boasts nearly 200 inches, but it is located in the northeast where it is known to rain. And rain it did. On Friday, December 19th the northeast was pummeled with heavy rain, which of course was followed by plummeting temps. Coverage remains good at many resorts, but conditions throughout the northeast are generously described as firm.

One has to go way north to find snow. Northern sections of British Columbia have finally gotten several good storms. Kicking Horse outside of Golden, British Columbia has received 55 inches in the last week, and everything is open except its steepest off-piste terrain. Whistler/Blackcomb benefitted from the same storms allowing it to greatly expand its open terrain. But they still only have roughly a third of their terrain open.

Head south into southern British Columbia and the American Rockies, and dirt is more abundant than snow. Red Mountain in southern BC has yet to open, and Fernie has very limited terrain open. An atmospheric river of gargantuan proportions wiped out whatever snow the northwest areas had received, and many resorts are closed or only have beginner terrain open. A recent storm provided the first serious storm for the northern interior American Rockies. Jackson Hole has all lifts operating, but none of their more challenging terrain is open.

It only gets worse…As I write this I am sitting in Alta. It is a cold summer day – 50 degrees and spitting. Alta and Snowbird are barely open and we haven’t skied yet. Colorado is just as bad. Vail has 40 out of their godzillion trails open and almost all are of the green variety. Taos has 16 trails open. California is particularly depressing. Heavenly has 4% of it terrain open.

But the good news is the areas have deeply slashed ticket prices. NOT!! Even if you buy tickets in advance Vail is charging $284 and Heavenly wants $191 for a day ticket. Ridiculous!

There is a hint of a big Christmas storm but most areas have soooooo far to go it will take several large systems to make up for a VERY dry November and December.

By Kevin Dennis
conSKIerge co-founder

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!