Western North America Conditions 2025/26

In addition to my imminent departure for two weeks with questionable connectivity,
1) My home internet has crashed; a tech is coming out tomorrow.
2) My OpenSnow subscription (group with Adam) expired and even though he renewed mine isn’t working yet.
 
Problems above were resolved this morning. This is now the rainiest SoCal November since 1965. The 3 days last weekend were 100% rain in the ski areas. but round 2 Wednesday-Friday snowed 17 inches at Mt. High and 12-20 at Baldy, both of which opened today. 9 inches at Big Bear, where they are making snow but have not announced an opening.
 
Steamboat opened. lol 😂


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That's a week out with lots of variability, but probably better than nearly anywhere else.
I started looking at the total snowfall forecast map for Colorado. As of this morning, only Wolf Creek and Purgatory have the potential to get into a purple zone of 30+ inches by Dec. 7.

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Whistler isn’t as bad as I feared. Yes, coverage and conditions are bad on the lower third of Jersey Cream and Catskinner, but coverage above 1800m is great. Much more skiable terrain than the 3 trails officially open.

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Skiers coming down Saudan

The runs off Chainsaw Ridge and elsewhere in the alpine were already in and fair game (False Face, Saudan Couloir, Cougar Chutes). Technically it’s all out of bounds, but that’s more to do with staffing than coverage. How many mountains can you get into that kind of terrain for opening weekend?

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Uphill travel permitted via 7th
 
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