Salt Lake City, UT – Utah’s skiers and riders have coined November 2010 as “Snowvember,” after near record-setting snowfall graced the slopes of the state’s ski and snowboard resorts over the past month.nOver 96 inches of snow fell in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains in November alone. The past month’s snow has brought Utah’s season snow total to 140 inches in Little Cottonwood Canyon with base depths as much as 67 inches. Even down in the valley in Salt Lake City, November’s snowfall this year was the third deepest since they started keeping records.

National Weather Service Hydrologist Brian McInerney reports that as of Monday, watersheds from Little Cottonwood Canyon north to City Creek Canyon are an average of 133 percent of normal and the Snowbird watershed is 191 percent of normal. November water equivalent was the highest in Snowbird’s history.

“When we start early, we tend to get better all year long,” McInerney added.

Beyond that, water content is a critical figure for early season snowfall: the higher the water content, the more effectively snowfall compiles and builds a base to open terrain.

Snowbird and neighboring Alta Ski Area have racked up 140 inches of snowfall thus far this season, including more than two feet in the past week.

“November’s series of consistent, quality snowfall has made for what can only be described as incredible mid-winter conditions to kick off December,” said Snowbird Vice President Dave Fields. “With fantastic snow, tons of terrain and plenty of affordable lodging, there’s no excuse not to hit the slopes and experience this skiing for yourself!”