Weather
This forecast was created at 10 a.m. PST on Monday, November 3, 2025.
A progressive, three-act week lines up for the Northern Rockies with a light early-week brush in the Idaho Panhandle and northwest Montana, a milder midweek surge with rising snow levels, then a cooler, gustier Thursday night–Friday push that drops snow levels and focuses the better tallies in the Teton high country and central Idaho mountains. Expect variable snow quality that starts on the denser side midweek and improves late. Brisk ridge-top winds peak on Thursday–Friday, and there will be only modest refreshes for the Canadian Rockies, except for a small, high-quality top-off near Banff late in the period.
Monday and Tuesday bring a quick, light wave that favors the Idaho Panhandle and northwest Montana, while most other zones remain breezy and mild. Light snow develops first in far northwest Montana and the Selkirks/Monashee-adjacent peaks with snow levels generally around 3,700–4,900 feet, so accumulations focus above mid-mountain. Snow quality is fair, with mid-week liquid ratios around 9–11:1, yielding a soft but slightly denser feel. Winds remain modest in this first pass. This is a small base-builder for places like Schweitzer and Whitefish, with better burst on Monday night into Tuesday, while the Tetons and southwest Montana largely sit it out, aside from clouds and a breeze.
Wednesday–Thursday ushers in a warmer, moist push that lifts snow levels and spreads precipitation south to north before a cold front follows. Central Idaho mountains experience the most consistent midweek accumulation, especially from Wednesday night into Friday morning. However, snow levels trend high for part of this window, near 6,000–7,000+ feet, which pushes the best stacking to the upper mountain. Snow quality there trends denser with liquid ratios around 7–8:1 through Thu, improving late. The Tetons pick up a steadier cadence beginning Wednesday night with moderate liquid ratios around 9–11:1. In British Columbia’s interior, Big White and Revelstoke notch light refreshes Tue night–Wednesday with mixed snow levels, then another light shot later in the week. Winds increase over ridgelines Wed–Thu, particularly along the Panhandle, Cascadian lee zones, and southwest Montana.
Thursday night–Friday is the main event of the week, with a more robust wave, stronger ridge-top winds, and lowering snow levels into Friday night and Saturday. The Teton crest (Grand Targhee/Jackson) experiences the most snow accumulation during this period, with gusts occasionally reaching 40–50 mph on exposed ridges and improving snow quality as colder air arrives late Friday into Saturday. Southwest and southwest-facing Montana zones (Big Sky, Bridger) receive a late-week boost as snow levels drop to around 5,000 feet by Saturday, although winds can be impactful on upper lifts. The Idaho Panhandle is expected to see an additional round of snow Thursday night through Friday, with some heavier bursts, but still relatively dense snow in spots. Winds peak across the Spokane–Palouse corridor and adjacent mountains, easing by Saturday. In Alberta, Banff Sunshine stays on the modest side but benefits from colder air and high liquid ratios late, resulting in a soft top-off. Lake Louise is similar and is slated to open on November 7.
Saturday’s trends show tapering showers, cooler air, and improving snow quality, followed by a milder, drier interlude late this weekend into early next week, before another western trough likely reloads the pattern in the 6–10 day window. Broadly, temperatures are expected to be near or somewhat above seasonal levels early next week, with periodic moisture returning thereafter, maintaining a “step-down then reload” look in the Northern Rockies. Most ski areas in the U.S. portion of the region remain closed, so this cycle is largely base building there. Banff Sunshine is open, and the small late-period refresh with light winds should ride nicely on sheltered leeward aspects Friday into early Saturday.
Resort Forecast Totals
- Grand Targhee – 9″–16″ Wed night (11/05) – Sat (11/08)
- Brundage – 8″–12″ Wed night (11/05) – Fri night (11/07)
- Jackson Hole – 6″–9″ Wed night (11/05) – Sat (11/08)
- Big White – 6″–9″ Tue night (11/04) – Fri night (11/07)
- Big Sky – 5″–8″ Wed night (11/05) – Sat (11/08)
- Revelstoke – 5″–8″ total (2″–3″ Wed (11/05) – Wed night (11/05) + 2″–4″ Thu night (11/06) – Sat (11/08))
- Schweitzer – 5″–7″ total (4″–5″ Mon (11/03) – Tue night (11/04) + 2″–3″ Thu night (11/06) – Fri night (11/07))
- Whitefish Mountain – 5″–7″ total (3″–4″ Mon (11/03) – Tue night (11/04) + 2″–3″ Thu night (11/06) – Sat (11/08))
- RED Mountain – 3″–4″ Thu (11/06) – Fri night (11/07)
- Banff Sunshine – 2″–3″ Thu night (11/06) – Sat (11/08)
- Bridger Bowl – 1″–2″ Fri (11/07) – Fri night (11/07)
- Lake Louise – 1″–2″ Thu night (11/06) – Sat night (11/08)
