North America Weekly Snow Roundup #287

• Sunshine and Winter Park post earliest-ever openings
• Heavy snow in the Pacific Northwest boosts early base
• La Niña delivers cold, dry air to the Rockies
• East Coast and the Midwest record their first measurable snowfall
• More storms forecast for Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming

Canada Ski Season Launch and Snow Forecast

Canada’s 25–26 season was set to commence at the end of this week, with a focus on ski resorts in Banff National Park. Lake Louise was scheduled to open first this Friday, followed by Sunshine on Saturday, along with other areas including Nakiska, Jasper’s Marmot Basin, and Banff’s Mount Norquay shortly after. However, Sunshine announced last Saturday that it would open on Sunday, November 2nd, marking what is believed to be its earliest ever opening.

The start of the season did not go entirely smoothly for everyone, as 20 cm (8 inches) of snowfall in the 24 hours preceding opening caused some road access issues. Skiing is accessed via Sunshine’s Strawberry Express lift, which serves seven intermediate and beginner slopes, and there is also a terrain park with seven features for opening day. It had been the most successful pre-season week so far, during a largely cold and snowy autumn, with temperatures staying below zero during the day and lows dropping to -15 °C, along with substantial snowfalls.

“We’re thrilled to welcome guests back for another unforgettable season,” said Kendra Scurfield, Sunshine’s Director of Brand and Communications, adding, “There’s nothing quite like that first chair of the year, and we’re proud to lead the country in getting winter started.” Eager skiers and snowboarders arrived bright and early, some dressed in Halloween costumes. The Banff Sunshine Gondola began spinning at 8:00 am.

After Sunshine’s move, Lake Louise (30/60 cm / 12/24”) also decided to open earlier than planned, moving its start date from this Friday to Tuesday 4th, reporting 29 cm (11.5”) of snowfall in the previous 48 hours.

There have also been significant accumulations further west, with BC's Whistler Blackcomb performing notably well. Another BC ski area, Apex Mountain, reported 16 cm (6”) of snow in 24 hours. On the East Coast, the first dustings of snow appeared on high slopes at ski resorts, including Quebec's Tremblant, and snowmaking systems were also activated. Here, Sommet St Sauveur usually begins its six-month ski season by mid-November.

Canadian Rockies and West Coast Snow Forecast
Canadian ski resorts are entering a promising early-season period, with cold weather and fresh snow forecast across key mountain areas. In western Canada, La Niña’s influence is expected to bring ongoing cooler temperatures and increased precipitation, boosting powder build-up at high elevations. Forecasts indicate fresh snow and sub-zero temperatures for Canadian ski resorts, with Whistler Blackcomb expecting up to 34 cm of new snow and resorts in Alberta set for a cold, powdery period.

West Coast resorts are likely to see further heavy snowfall towards the end of the week, followed by lighter flurries and freezing conditions throughout the weekend. Temperatures will fall to -6 °C, with light winds and a freezing level dropping below 1,500 m. In Alberta, resorts such as Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Norquay are forecast to experience cold, dry conditions, with lows around -15 °C and possible light snow mid-week. Overall, the week ahead appears ideal for building a base, with the highest powder potential in BC’s coastal ranges and crisp, dry snow in the Rockies.

United States Ski Resorts and Snow Forecast

After recent snowy weather in western North America, Stevens Pass Ski Resort in Washington State reported a 17” (42 cm) storm total, with similar snowfall for nearby Oregon areas such as Timberline and Mt. Bachelor. Conditions have warmed and dried over the past week, especially in the Rockies. Although not ideal for early November, this was expected, and it did not stop Winter Park from opening on Halloween, making its earliest-ever opening and becoming the third ski area in Colorado to open after Keystone and Arapahoe Basin.

Snowpacks are slightly below seasonal averages, but there still appears to be enough to open terrain, and Keystone now has a top-to-bottom, two-mile (3.2 km) long slope open. The Pacific Northwest remains the snowiest region of North America, with Alaska's Alyeska reporting 10–15” (25–38 cm) of recent snow.

More ski areas, including Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Wolf Creek, are expected to open in Colorado in the coming days, along with the first in Utah and possibly the first on the West Coast, with Timberline in Oregon and Mt. Rose at Tahoe among the first.

Things have become quite wintry in the East and Midwest as well, with mountains turning truly white in the Northeast and snowmaking systems being activated in many areas. Michigan also reported its first measurable snowfall of the autumn.

USA Weather and Snow Forecast
Ski areas across the USA will experience patchy early-season snowfall throughout the rest of this week, with the most significant accumulations again in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. Up to 10 inches (25 cm) more is expected on high terrain in Washington State, as well as Oregon and Wyoming.

Light snowfall is also anticipated on the East Coast, with 1–4 inches (2–10 cm) likely. However, many central and eastern resorts remain dry, although colder air is gathering across the Midwest and Northeast, indicating stronger systems later in November. Overall, the short-term outlook favours western regions for the deepest early snowpacks, while the East begins to see the first stages of seasonal snowmaking and flurries.