Northern America Weekly Snow Roundup #338

• Ski areas in Colorado race to open first as colder temperatures allow snowmaking to restart. STOP PRESS: Arapahoe Basin wins race and is first to open for 26-27 season in North America.
• Canada’s season due to start next week, but an hour later each day than usual.
• First resorts with named season opening dates now only a week from those dates arriving 6 Nov.

Canada Report

• Canadian ski areas are edging closer to the 26-27 season start with more fresh snowfall, now down to base levels, reported at ski areas across Alberta and BC. Banff's Sunshine has been particularly keen to stress it's looking very wintery there as the start of the season is just a week away, when it's likely to be one of Canada's first to open for the new season. Much of the talk in Canadian resorts this week, though, hasn't been about the snow but about the daylight, as for the first time in ski area histories, Alberta and BC won't be turning the clocks back on 1st November, but staying at the same time year round. As a result, there'll be darker mornings and lighter afternoons, leading most to announce they'll start their ski days at 9.30 rather than 8.30 now and finish an hour later in the afternoons. On the East Coast it has been milder, but some snowmaking has been reported overnight at some Quebec ski centres.

Canada Forecast

Canadian ski areas are heading into a generally encouraging week, if not spectacular, with the strongest early-season conditions expected in British Columbia and Alberta. Resorts in the Rockies and Coast Mountains should see a mix of sunny spells, cooler temperatures and occasional light snowfall at higher elevations, helping to maintain and gradually build snow cover. Freezing levels will typically sit between 1,000m and 2,000m, lower overnight and during colder periods. In Eastern Canada, including Quebec, conditions are more variable with milder temperatures expected at times, although cooler nights should aid snowmaking operations. Overall, the outlook remains favourable for continued pre-season preparation.

US West Coast Report

There's been more snowfall on high peaks in the Sierras and further North along America's West Coast ranges. It's been cold too, with overnight lows in the 20s Fahrenheit and daytime highs staying below freezing at altitude. November is also due to see the start of the peak of the super El Niño, which is expected to particularly benefit ski areas in the south of the region with above-average precipitation and below-average temperatures. As it is Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe may be the first in the country to open, having set a target date of November 6, 2026.

US West Coast Forecast

Ski areas along the US West Coast are expected to see generally favourable early-season conditions over the coming week, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Resorts in Washington, Oregon and California should experience a mix of sunshine, cooler temperatures and occasional snow showers on upper terrain, helping to improve snow coverage ahead of more openings. Freezing levels are forecast to vary between approximately 4,000 and 7,000 feet, occasionally dropping lower overnight and during colder periods.

US Rockies Report

After the promising snowfall and low temperatures in mid-October, things warmed up rather in the Rockies ahead of last weekend, melting the snowline back up the mountains and limiting snowmaking opportunities. That said, there have been some colder temperatures and fresh snowfall this week. Wolf Creek reported it had received 20" (50cm) of snowfall on higher terrain. Then Arapahoe Basin announced early on Wednesday that it would open for its 26-27 season a few hours later at 11am, the first in the US and North America to do so. They had said on Tuesday that they had a lot of snow now and had begun pushing it out with groomers. Keystone, Loveland and Wolf Creek are also expected to open soon. Breckenridge and Copper in Colorado and Brian Head in Utah are all now fast approaching their stated Nov 6 target season start date, now just a week away.

US Rockies Forecast

The Rockies look set for a generally favourable week of early-season weather, with cool temperatures helping resorts across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho continue snowmaking and slope preparation and hopefully the first openings. Several mountain areas may see light snowfall, particularly at higher elevations, although no major storm systems are currently expected. Periods of sunshine should dominate between any passing disturbances. Freezing levels are forecast to fluctuate between roughly 6,000 and 10,000 feet, lowering temporarily when colder air moves through. The best conditions will remain on higher terrain, where recent snowfalls and consistently below-freezing overnight temperatures are helping to establish a solid early-season base.

US East Coast Report

Despite generally warmer than late October temperatures, the digits have been dipping enough for multiple East Coast ski areas to be able to crank up overnight snowmaking operations this week, as the annual fall battle commences to take the title of first in the East to open for the season.

US East Coast Forecast

US East Coast ski areas are expected to see mixed autumn conditions over the coming week, with temperatures fluctuating but trending cool enough for more snowmaking at many northern and higher altitude resorts. Overnight temperatures should frequently dip below freezing, supporting pre-season snow production. Daytime conditions will be milder, with a mix of sunshine and variable cloud. No major natural snowfall is expected, although a few higher peaks could see light snow showers. Freezing levels will generally range between 3,000 and 6,000 feet, dropping lower during cooler overnight periods.