A warm Western winter is shrinking snowpack and ski seasons

Vail Resorts, Inc. cites weak snowfall

Vail Resorts, Inc. is a Colorado-based company that owns and operates a large network of mountain resorts. The company promotes a portfolio of 42 connected mountain resorts across multiple regions, including Breckenridge and Park City.

In a January report, Vail Resorts, Inc. said skier visits at its North American properties were down 20% compared with last year. The chief executive blamed one of the worst early-season snowfalls in the Western U.S. in over 30 years.

The same weather pattern is tied to a snow drought across much of the western Lower 48. Nearly all of Utah and Oregon are experiencing below-average snowfall, and Colorado has its most meager snowpack on record, according to the report.

Utah snowfall is below average statewide

Nearly all of Utah is experiencing below-average snowfall, according to the report. The report says the western Lower 48 is in a snow drought, even though snowfall can vary across high-altitude microclimates.

Dry conditions were visible near Midway, Utah, where people were shown walking outdoors amid limited snow cover. The report also describes patchy snow on a Park City golf course, which is typically used for cross-country skiing in winter.

Oregon resorts shut down indefinitely in winter

Three Oregon ski resorts shut down indefinitely because of dismal snowpack, according to the report. The resorts named were Mt. Hood Skibowl, Hoodoo Ski Area, and Mt. Ashland. The report also says soggy slopes and washed-out mountain roads delayed opening dates for many ski resorts in the Northwest.

The report describes a winter pattern that has kept many western mountain areas short on reliable snow. Outside a period around Christmas, when flooding rain and heavy mountain snow hit the West Coast, a high-pressure ridge dominated the Mountain West and pushed storms into Canada.

Colorado snowpack is the most meager on record

Colorado’s snowpack has been exceptionally low, with many SNOTEL sites reporting record low levels and statewide snow water equivalent well below median early in the season.

White winter horizons are giving way to browns, with robins singing and tire chains staying packed away. Colorado’s winter typically benefits from mile-high terrain, yet the report says residents are asking where the snow is.

At Copper Mountain, only about half of the black diamond and expert runs preferred by a University of Colorado Boulder ski club leader were open on Monday. Resorts are relying heavily on snowmaking machines, and most have about 70% or less of their terrain open.

Fun fact: Snowpack is tracked using SNOTEL stations, which measure basics like snow water equivalent, snow depth, and temperature.

The Colorado Department of Transportation plowed less

Colorado snowplows are idling more often this winter. From October to January, the Colorado Department of Transportation reported plowing 1.7 million miles of roads. Last season, the same period logged 4.2 million miles, according to the agency data cited.

This drop reflects fewer major snow events across key road corridors. The report also describes hikers in shorts on foothill trails and golfers using greens that would typically see winter recreation.

Alamosa set the warmest December and January

Alamosa, a southern Colorado town, had its warmest December and January on record, according to the report. Several other cities also set duplicate warm month records, including Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Reno, Nevada. These records were linked to a balmy winter pattern across much of the American West.

The West’s warmth is contrasted with colder conditions east of the continental divide. It also notes that the eastern United States was in a drawn-out thaw after back-to-back winter storms.

Lake Powell runoff forecast falls to 68%

Officials project that dramatically less runoff from the Rocky Mountains will flow to Lake Powell this spring. The report puts the expected runoff at about 68% of the average over recent decades. Lake Powell is described as a massive reservoir that feeds water to California, Arizona, and Nevada.

The Colorado River system serves about 40 million people across seven Western states, with water also delivered to Mexico, according to the report. Less snowmelt could compromise the water supply and reduce hydropower production at an adjacent dam.

Fun fact: Lake Powell is the second-largest U.S. reservoir by storage capacity, and it helps generate hydropower at Glen Canyon Dam.

The Central Arizona Project warns of lower snowmelt

The Central Arizona Project delivers Colorado River water into Arizona. A senior policy analyst with the project said conditions are “a lot less snow” and “about half the snow” compared with a similar time last year, according to the report. The reduced snowpack in Utah and Colorado has downstream impacts for millions who rely on runoff.

The Colorado River is used by about 40 million people across seven Western states and also supplies water delivered to Mexico. Officials project runoff into Lake Powell at about 68% of the average over recent decades.

Colorado ski towns expect 5% to 10% drop

Colorado resort cities expect hotel reservations to drop 5% to 10% in the first quarter of this year. Margaret Bowes, executive director of the Colorado Association of Ski Towns, said communities made it through the holidays without too much economic damage. Still, the outlook is weaker for the rest of winter, according to the report.

Towns are pitching alternatives to snow sports. Glenwood Springs held fly fishing demonstrations in January, and Telluride offered alpaca petting, according to the report.

Ouray Ice Park opened in late January

Ouray Ice Park is a public ice climbing park in southwestern Colorado. In a normal year, “ice farmers” start work in November using 250 spray heads connected to a two-mile water pipe to build frozen waterfalls, and the park usually opens before Christmas, according to the report. This year, warmth pushed the opening to late January.

The late opening came just days before an annual ice festival that typically draws about 3,000 people to Ouray, according to the report. The report says only 169 ice climbing anchors were available, down from 225 to 250.

Vail Resorts’ terrain often stayed near 70%

Many ski resorts are operating with limited terrain due to low snowfall, according to the report. The report says resorts are relying heavily on snowmaking machines to cover less advanced trails, while most have about 70% or less of their terrain open.

At Copper Mountain, the report says only half of the black diamond and expert runs preferred by a University of Colorado Boulder club leader were open on Monday. Skiers were also sharing memes about sludge conditions and wasted season passes, according to the report.

Wyoming cancels ice fishing derbies for thin ice

Wyoming state officials canceled three ice fishing derbies scheduled for last month because lake ice was thin to nonexistent, according to the report. The report notes that an upside is that fishing from boats is still possible in some places.

The report also says people are shore fishing open water on reservoirs, which a Wyoming Game and Fish Department deputy chief called unheard of for this time of year.

The deputy chief, Justin Binfet, said he could drive on roads near Casper that are typically impassable by November while elk hunting in snow-free conditions. He also saw mule deer in an area that past aerial wildlife surveys suggest the animals usually migrate away from by now.

For a change of scenery from the unusual winter conditions, read more about these 11 California towns that make winter coastal trips unforgettable.

Denver 9News forecasts hints of late February snow

Meteorologist Chris Bianchi said Colorado has “promising hints” of robust snow toward the end of February, according to the report. He also said storms can dump snow well into April, leaving time to reach what he called a “non-catastrophic position”.

At the same time, Bianchi warned the state is behind, saying, “We’re down 17 points in the third quarter,” and “We’re in trouble,” according to the report.

For practical travel updates during severe weather, read more about flights canceled as a winter storm grips the U.S. and what travelers should do.

What do you think about Warmer winter days in the West affecting moods in surprising ways? Could you share your thoughts and drop a comment?

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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