Poor Start to Winter Continues in North America

2nd January 2024

Last modified on January 11th, 2024

Both Canada and the USA have seen below average natural snowfall. Resorts are doing their best in some difficult circumstances.

In contrast to many parts of the Alps it has been a slow start to winter across the Pond.

There has been little natural snow with some of the smaller resorts even having to close.

After a record-breaking snow year last winter in many parts of the USA, snowstorms have been few and far between this season.

Utah is a case in point.

Alta has a claimed season total so far of 3.9m and a base depth of 1.37m.

Resorts are open, backcountry riding is available and there’s certainly skiing to be had – but it is not as good as it should be for January.

As 2024 gets underway other resort in Utah are trying to be positive.

Welcoming in 2024 with sunshine, blue skies and over 3,000 acres of terrain for skiing and riding accessible by 34 lifts. Cheers to our team for their continued hard work to making this all possible. And remember to ❄️THINK SNOW❄️ pic.twitter.com/NBu40a7OkD
— Park City Mountain (@PCski) January 2, 2024

Nearly every part of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming has significantly less snow than usual for early January.

The latest data from a region-wide network of snow sensors shows snow in many areas with totals around 60% or 70% of the average.

The next few weeks are unlikely to bring much immediate relief.

The medium to long range forecasts that go out about two weeks suggest there may be some small storms, but overall there is no significant amounts of snow predicted.

A winter pattern will take hold across the West at last with cold temperatures and snow on the way. https://t.co/RGBjpHPC0s
— OpenSnow (@OpenSnow) January 3, 2024

The one current bright spark at the moment is California that is finally seeing some fresh snow.

There has been some fresh snow in Mammoth and it now has around 2/3 of its slopes open – the most this season so far.

Here is the latest from weathertoski.co.uk:

USA

Most western US resorts have below average snow depths for the time of year, though there is still plenty of reasonable piste-skiing on offer in the likes of Vail and Jackson Hole, both of which have around 1m up top.

One of the better bets right now is Wyoming’s Grand Targhee, which has a 120cm upper base.

Canada

Thanks to recent snowfalls, conditions in Whistler have partially improved although snow depths remain far below average for the time of year, with just 108cm mid-mountain.

Snow conditions are more consistent further inland, despite less new snow having fallen.

Lake Louise currently has 90cm mid-mountain and is set to turn colder over the next few days.

Lake Louise, Banff, Canada. Image c/o Ross Young.

PlanetSKI has had reporters in Banff and Whistler in Canada so far this winter.

Ross Young has been in Banff, skiing the resorts of Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mt Norquay and sent in some reports in December.

“Sunshine’s groomed runs are in excellent shape, and with 10 of its 12 lifts and 78 of its 138 pistes open, there was plenty of terrain to cover.

“Thanks to recent snowfall there was plenty of rewarding skiing to be had off-piste too, even though Delirium Dive, Sunshine’s signature freeride run, is currently closed.”

Sunshine Village, Banff, Canada. Image c/o Ross Young.

“The off-piste in Lake Louise is skiable and great fun but it’s early season, so there’s still the occasional exposed rock to watch out for.

“Lower down the mountain, the skiing was good in the morning, but towards the end of the day the runs became icy in places.

“With no big dumps predicted over the next few days, we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed that the occasional flurry will top snow levels up.

“If that doesn’t happen, at least we’ll have the scenery to console us – Lake Louise is gorgeous.”

“Today I visited Mt Norquay, Banff’s local ski hill and the smallest of the SkiBig3 resorts with just the six lifts,” said Ross.

“The good news is that they’re all running and 45 of Norquay’s 60 pistes are open.

“Conditions at Norquay definitely have an early-season feel – another few inches of base would really make a difference.

“Even so, at the start of the day the groomed runs were in excellent shape – perfect for a cobweb-removing blast.

“By the early afternoon it was a different story.

“With the temperature only a couple of degrees below zero, the snow began to slush up a little.

“Norquay’s off-piste is skiable in parts, but coverage is still patchy, with the occasional rock visible. I was thankful I’m on rental skis.”

Mt Norquay, Banff. Image c/o Ross Young.

While PlanetSKI’s Katy Dartford has been in Whistler.

Some forecast models are predicting a welcome change in the weather in the USA:

The first half of January looks much more interesting for snow potential across both the West and Eastern US. https://t.co/tlUMLpxUC1
— OpenSnow (@OpenSnow) January 1, 2024

Fingers crossed.

More to follow…