Each year, the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. marks the unofficial start to the ski season in North America. Sure, there have been some resorts that have already been open for a few weeks now, but most aim to fire up their lifts just in time for the Thanksgiving weekend. Since that is now just a few days away, here is a report on snow conditions at various locations across the country.
Killington Ski Resort (Vermont)
Killington was the first resort to open this year, welcoming its first guests as far back as mid-October when an early season snowfall dusted the slopes.
Since then, the resort has continued to make snow and now has a base of up to 12" depending on the area. It has 8 trails open and 2 lifts, with 21 skiable acres ready for the weekend. Colder weather in the forecast means that conditions should improve as the week goes on.
Sugarloaf Mountain (Maine)
Maine's premiere ski resort is Sugarloaf, which opened its doors for the first time this season this past weekend.
It too is gearing up for a good season ahead, but at the moment the offerings are a bit sparse. Of the resorts 160 trails, just three are currently open, and the snow base is still being built, mostly by man-made powder. Things will improve as the winter wears on, but much like the rest of the eastern U.S., there isn't a lot of white stuff to enjoy just yet.
Aspen Snowmass (Colorado)
Things out west are bit better, with heavy snow falling in certain parts of the country. In Aspen or instance the base is already at 16" of snow for the year, with 27 trails and 250 acres open for business. Over the past week, the resort received 8" of snow, which helped to get it ready for opening weekend this past Saturday.
Vail (Colorado)
Vail has received more than 60" of snow already this year, with 21" coming in the past seven days. As a result it was able to open on scheduled this past weekend as well, and now has 24% of its terrain open. That equates to 63 runs, 11 lifts, 1258 skiable acres.
Steamboat (Colorado)
Over at Steamboat the snowfall totals are up to 15" over the past week, with a season total already topping out over 50".
That gives the mountain a 22" base, with more snow in the forecast for Wednesday evening and into Thanksgiving Day. The resort has been open for several days now, and promises to be more than ready for holiday visitors.
Big Sky (Montana)
As the largest ski resort in the U.S. – in terms of area – Big Sky never really feels all that crowded. The resort has been receiving steady amounts of snow for days now, and boasts a base depth of 30" at the top of the mountain. The staff at the resort is busy grooming the fresh powder and preparing for opening day, which will come on November 26 – Thanksgiving itself.
Jackson Hole (Wyoming)
Also set to open on Thanksgiving Day is Jackson Hole, the resort that averages the most snow of any in the U.S. each year. The resort has already seen more than 62" of snow this season, and has a base of nearly 30" waiting for skiers and snowboarders. As usual, the mountain will have plenty to offer during the season ahead.
Snowbird (Utah)
Snowbird is another resort that sees plenty of snowfall on an annual basis, and already has seen more than 45" of fresh powder from so far this year. With an average base of about 22" currently on the slopes, the resort has 3 lifts, but just 8 of its 169 trails ready to go.
Alta Ski Area (Utah)
Another Utah ski resort renowned for its heavy snowfalls is Alta, which currently has similar numbers in terms of snowfall and base depth as Snowbird. It currently has 9 trail open, with 3 lifts in operation.
Squaw Valley (California)
California had a down year in terms of skiing last winter, but with the arrival of the massive El Niño this year, there are high hopes that things will change. At Squaw Valley there is already a 23" base in place, with more snow in the forecast for the week ahead, including on Thanksgiving Day. The resort has 5 trails already open, with the hopes of more to come very soon.
Mammoth Mountain (California)
Mammoth Mountain is gearing up for what promises to be a good return to form for California skiing. The resort has already seen 41" of snowfall this year, and has a base depth of 30" on the summit. That has allowed them to open more than 60 trails, and 14 lifts, already this year. It looks like it will be a promising winter to ski in the Sierra Mountains.
This is just a rundown of some of the top resorts and areas in the U.S. in terms of skiing each season. If I didn't get to your favorite resort, be sure to check out its website before you head to the slopes. Most will post updated info on ski conditions, with information on their base levels, open trails, and the forecast for fresh snow. Remember, it is still early in the season, and there will be plenty of opportunities to ski in the weeks to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment