Skiers and snowboarders are gearing up to hit the slopes, and forecasters say the upcoming season could look dramatically different from last winter across much of the country.
As AccuWeather reports, the “Super” El Niño is expected to be the main driver of this winter’s weather pattern, favoring more frequent storms in some of the nation’s most popular ski regions. Elsewhere, prolonged warmth and fewer snowstorms could make it harder for resorts to build and maintain a reliable snowpack.
The West Will See a Big Improvement Over Last Season
The ski season could get off to an early start from the Sierra Nevada through the central and southern Rockies, setting the stage for a winter with frequent snow and excellent conditions on the slopes. In fact, some ski resorts in Colorado are already open, including Arapahoe Basin Ski Area.
This El Niño-fueled pattern will be a significant turnaround from last year’s disappointing season. Salt Lake City measured only 3.7 inches of snow last winter, its least snowy season since records began in the 1880s. AccuWeather is forecasting 50-65 inches this winter, slightly above the historical average.
The best ski conditions across the entire country are expected in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, California, and Nevada. “The storm track across the Northwest will be a bit inconsistent, so likely periods of snow and cold followed by several weeks with dry and warmer conditions,” AccuWeather Long-range Expert Paul Pastelok explained. “The best chance for consistent snow would be December to early January.”
An abundance of snow could allow some resorts to stay open later into the spring, extending the season after a difficult winter for many western ski areas last year. Major storms may occasionally make travel to mountain resorts difficult, even as they build the snowpack skiers and snowboarders are looking for. Lower-elevation resorts could also experience periods of rain and poorer conditions, as prolonged intrusions of Arctic air are not expected to be common.
Midwest Could Have a Bumpy Season
It is shaping up to be a bumpy season for skiers and snowboarders across the Midwest, with some resorts potentially closing earlier than normal. “A brief window for snowmaking and some natural snow in the middle to late part of November could allow an early start to the snowmaking season,” Pastelok said.
This could be one of the better stretches of the season, as much-warmer-than-average conditions and limited natural snow are expected during December. Another favorable window could arrive in mid- to late January, when colder air may allow resorts to make more snow and improve conditions. “Condition of the slopes will likely be a wet snowpack with some icy spots,” Pastelok added.
Without sustained cold air, resorts may struggle to make enough snow to compensate for a shortage of natural snowfall. Snowmaking requires sufficiently low temperatures, making extended warm stretches particularly challenging for ski areas.
The Eastern Season Will Be Inconsistent
November could provide an encouraging start for some New England ski areas, with early-season natural snow and periods cold enough for snowmaking. Maintaining those conditions could become more difficult as winter progresses. “Temperatures much above average in December and lack of snow could only allow a few trails to be open,” Pastelok said.
Storms should become more frequent during January and February, bringing opportunities for natural snow to New England and the southern Appalachians. Not every storm will bring all snow, however. “Many storms with ice and rain will keep conditions rather sloppy on the slopes with more bare spots than usual,” Pastelok said.
The best conditions across the eastern U.S. are forecast in northern New England and upstate New York. If a significant winter storm does unfold around late January to mid-February, it could provide the season’s best skiing conditions in the Northeast, allowing resorts to open more terrain.
Farther south, including portions of the mid-Atlantic and southern Appalachians, the ski season could wind down earlier than usual if sustained cold remains difficult to come by.
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