Skiers and snowboarders across the United States have noticed the lack of snow this season. While others are rejoicing in not having to shovel their driveways, skiers have been holding out hope for bigger and better storms on the horizon. That being said, there are still some mountains with great snow cover, specifically those that have invested in snowmaking technnology.
Whether you’re on the East Coast or out West, there are still opportunities abound to find powder and hit the slopes. For the best conditions, look for resorts with aggressive snow-making capabilities. Some are better equipped than others.
East Coast Skiing
The best bets on the East Coast are Stratton, Stowe, Okemo and Killington, all located in Vermont. Each of these resorts boasts a current base of over 24 inches. Sunday River in Maine is reporting a base of at least 32 inches.
Rocky Mountain Skiing
In Colorado, Wolf Creek leads the pack with a 90-inch base. The odd weather patterns this year have actually benefited Wolf Creek. Perennial powerhouses in Summit County, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe have all received at least 7 inches of snow in the past week and continue their snow-making efforts. Solitude and Canyons Resort boast the deepest bases in Utah. Most resorts are within a two hour drive of Denver International Airport.
West Coast Skiing
Kirkwood and Mammoth Mountain have the best snow cover in California. The Lake Tahoe basin had an especially tough start to the season as snowpack was just 9 percent of normal on January 1, yet are resorts are aggressively promoting spring skiing with some great deals on lodging and lift tickets. Northstar California, home to a new 22-foot superpipe designed by Shaun White, is offering 30% off lodging through the end of the season. The Washington Post is reporting that parts of Northern California just got 6 feet of snow, so if you’re looking for a last-minute ski trip that’s the place to be! There are a lot of great deals and events in the area to take advantage of and you can get flights to Reno which is under an hour’s drive from Tahoe.
For up-to-date snow reports check resort websites or check this handy snow stats tool.
