Parts of US Endure Dreadful Start to Season But Snow Now Falling
23rd January 2026
Last modified on January 27th, 2026
In Colorado it’s been the worst in decades, though some snow is forecast for this weekend. Other areas in the Rockies have also started badly, though it’s been much better in the east. strong>UPDATED
Resorts in the main ski state of Colorado have seen their lowest snowfall for three decades.
“We experienced one of the worst early-season snowfalls in the Western U.S. in over 30 years,” Rob Katz, Chief Executive Officer, said in a press release.
“This has limited Vail Mountain and other resorts from opening new terrain and has decreased skier visits.
Vail Resorts has seen visitor numbers down 20.0% compared to the same period last winter.
Vail itself is one of the worst affected areas and has its lowest snowpack for almost 50 years.
“The snowfall numbers for Western resorts are reporting 50% below their historical 30-year average, and the Rockies are down almost 60%,” added Katz.
“This has resulted in approximately 11% of the terrain being opened in December.”
Resorts had to cancel their openings as we reported at the time on PlanetSKI:
It has got better, but only just, as snow has been falling.
In Colorado the biggest winner is Silverton Mountain which received 50cm.
Purgatory Resort in had with 13cm.
Monarch Mountain and Sunlight Mountain were close behind with 28cm 25cm of fresh snowfall, respectively.
At Breckenridge, skiers and riders have had access to their first lift-served laps at the treeline this season.
“The snow isn’t done yet. Additional snowfall is expected today and tomorrow, setting the stage for a strong weekend of skiing and riding as fresh snow continues to refresh on-mountain conditions,” said Loveland.
The resorts in Utah and Wyoming have not been quite so bad, though it has been far short of a bumper winter.
Overall British skiers in the USA this winter have had a disappointing time of it.
The resorts in Utah make the bold claim to have ‘The Greatest Snow on Earth’, but people should remember this is a marketing phrase and not a statement of fact.
This has been proven so far this winter with poor conditions, many closed slopes and resorts forced to delay their openings.
California is holding up with Mammoth Mountain claiming a base of 2.4m base at the top of the mountain which is about average for the time of year
The lack of snow is not only a concern to resorts and skiers, but also to the Rocky Mountain Region as a whole.
The Rockies rely on the winter snow pack for water in the spring to sustain cities, towns, and agriculture.
Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and New Mexico have also seen poor winter snow.
In the ski resorts of the eastern USA it is a different picture.
Killington has seen great snow and 90% of the resort is open.
It has been a cold and snowy week across the region.
“Another bitterly cold week lies ahead, with deep-freeze temperatures, light snowfall and moderate winds,” said Snow Forecast.
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