US Ski Areas Open Weeks Early After Heavy Snow in California
27th October 2021
Last modified on November 6th, 2021
Three resorts in California have fired up some lifts after more than half a metre has fallen. There has been snowfall across some other ski states with another resort in Colorado opening at the weekend. UPDATED
In California the resort of Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley) opened on Friday.
It is only the third time in 72 years of operation that the resort has opened in October.
The last time it was able to open in October with comparable terrain was in 2004.
Nearby Boreal resort in Lake Tahoe has also begun its winter season.
Mammoth Mountain in California has also been walloped by the snow and has also open this weekend – 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
It follows early snow and the forecast of more to come.
PlanetSKI was in Mammoth at the start of its season a few years back.
Mammoth Mountain, California. Image © PlanetSKI
At lower elevations the storm has brought heavy rain which has helped ease the recent drought conditions in California.
The weather is set too remain unsettled with further snow and rain.
With post-pandemic skiing a real option some UK skiers and snowboarders are looking at a holiday in North America as a bucket list ski trip.
They want to re-start with a trip-of-a-lifetime.
One UK operator, Ski Solutions, reports growing interest and has noticed the good snow in California.
Great early season snow in @palisadestahoe!
Book a holiday here: https://t.co/bZtJJEFcPk https://t.co/QZ93LiDlTR
— Ski Solutions (@skisolutions) October 27, 2021
Meanwhile in Colorado there has been some snowfall too.
Loveland is opening today, Saturday 3oth October.
Great to see fresh snow at Colorado’s ski areas! Here’s a look at some 24 hour totals #cowx pic.twitter.com/bUKfiroPBQ
— Jessica Lebel (@JessicaLebelWX) October 27, 2021
Backcountry skiers and snowboarders are being warned to be careful due to the danger of avalanches.
#skiing – Well, it’s started. First avalanche of the season for Colorado results in a ride for skier who made an “interesting” decision to drop into the Kitchen Wall on Loveland Pass after new snow followed by several days of high winds (Summit County, CO Sheriff Dept pic.#lucky pic.twitter.com/61mJJuR4Mv
— tomwinter (@tomwintermedia) October 30, 2021
Some resorts have already opened in Colorado.
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado. Photo Credit: Ian Zinner, Arapahoe Basin
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has warned of a great er risk of avalanches especially on north- and east-facing slopes at high elevation, where deep early-season snow is building up.
In Wyoming excitement is mounting at one of PlanetSKI’s favourite ski areas in the USA, Jackson Hole.
See here for a story we have just posted on what is new in Jackson Hole for this winter.
13th October 2021. Image c/o Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
In Utah there has been some snow too.
No resorts are open but many people are reported to be hiking up into the back country to make their first turns of the season.
It comes as the White House has outlined new rules for foreign travellers to the US that will affect those heading to ski in the USA this winter.
Flight restrictions are lifted on November 8th.
Here at PlanetSKI we will be checking some other ski areas later and updating this article so do check back…
Skiing in the USA. Image © PlanetSKI.
