Industry News
Everyone dreams of chasing the best powder and conditions throughout the season. Unfortunately, jobs, kids, and life can get in the way of making that a reality. However, we all try and make that one big ski trip each season to be where the best snow will be at that specific time. Sometimes, Mother Nature cooperates with the models and forecasts, and other times, she doesn’t. Some months throughout the year provide some of the best skiing at particular resorts in North America.
Timing and location are the keys to finding the best conditions at ski resorts throughout the season. Being at these ski resorts during those times can take your ski trip to the next level. Early-season skiing options are limited, while there are numerous great mid-season skiing options in North America, and late-season skiing options are again limited. These ski resorts are spread throughout the country, giving skiers who might not have the lifestyle to chase the best snow conditions the opportunity to visit them during the season.
Although this list may have left out some ski resorts, there are tried-and-tested regions and ski resorts known for having the best skiing at certain times throughout the season. Early and late-season skiing choices are limited and, therefore, easier to identify. However, determining the best places to ski during mid-season is a little more difficult because of all the great options.
October: Ski Ward, Massachusetts
2024-25 Opening Date: October, 21
Every year, ski areas across the country have an informal ‘race’ to see who can get their snowguns running the fastest and their ski lifts running first. In years past, Arapahoe Basin in Colorado has often snagged the title of first to open with a late October or early November opening while other resorts like Keystone, Breckenridge, and Wolf Creek fight to make enough snow to beat them.
Somehow, a small ski resort in Massachusetts has figured out how to become the first to open the last two seasons, making it the best option for skiing in October. Ski Ward boasts a Latitude 90 snowmaking machine capable of blowing snow when outdoor temperatures are as high as 76 degrees, which enables it to open before other resorts. The terrain is limited at the beginning of the season, but after a long summer hiatus of not being on the slopes, most would take the opportunity just to be back on their skis.
Quick Facts:
- 220 feet vertical drop and 45 acres of skiing and snowboarding terrain
- 9 trails and four lifts, including a triple chair, T-bar, and a 250-foot carpet lift
- Up to 12 Tuba Slide lanes approximately 800 feet long with a 75 feet vertical drop serviced by two lifts
- Race facility with dual course timing gear, including a start shack and finish shack
- Fireside lodge with snack bar
- Slopeside Bar & Grill: serving beer, wine and food specials
- Ski and snowboard school with over 100 instructors
- Rental shop
- 100% snowmaking and expert mountain grooming
November: Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Wolf Creek, and Breckenridge, Colorado
2024-25 Opening Dates: First week in November
Historically, Colorado is one of the first states to open for the ski season. The Rockies provide the elevation and cold weather needed to get early-season snowfall for ski resorts to open. Thanks to their great locations, A-Basin, Keystone, Wolf Creek, and Breckenridge are usually the first to open in Colorado.
Wolf Creek did open this season on October 22, taking second place in the race to open first. The Colorado resort offered considerably more terrain than Ski Ward, with 11 trails open and a snow depth of 16 inches. Keystone opened their season on November 2, with over two miles of skiable terrain. A-Basin also opened this season on November 2 with skiing on High Noon, accessed via the Black Mountain Express. Breckenridge opened November 8 with the BreckConnect Gondola, Colorado SuperChair, and Five SuperChair, with access to primarily intermediate terrain on the 4 O’Clock and Springmeier trails. In addition, two learning carpets were available at the base of Peak 8 for beginner guests.
These mountains are all known to be open during the first week of November. Early-season skiing at these resorts is usually limited to intermediate to advanced terrain and warns that beginner terrain is not available. Uphill travel is also limited or not allowed. However, throughout the month of November, these ski resorts can see snow storms that dump several feet of snow. Which allows them to open new trails and terrain quickly. Colorado is the place to be early in the season if you are searching for ski resorts that will be consistently open in November and where conditions will only improve throughout the month.
December: Wyoming: Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole, Wyoming
2024-25 Opening Date: November 29
In December, Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee offer great ski conditions and activities for all mountain enthusiasts. The season is not at full throttle yet, which means there are fewer crowds, but there is still great snow. This allows guests to enjoy a more relaxed skiing and snowboarding atmosphere. Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee average 81 to 103 inches of snow in December, providing plenty of snow for skiers to hit. Both resorts offer almost daily events throughout December and offer holiday-themed activities for the whole family to enjoy.
January: Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
2024-25 Opening Date: November 8
The Canadian Rockies can get cold in January, with the average temperature in the low 20s during the day and in single digits at night. Snow totals for January range between 36 and 41 inches, with the average base of 61 inches to 79 inches. For the last two weeks of January and the first week of February, there are events all over Banff that everyone will enjoy. Banff is known for its large outdoor displays of snow sculptures throughout town during this month. Skijoring is something Banff also offers during this time and gives skiers the chance to get pulled by a horse, which could make for some great memories. Banff also consists of three ski resorts: Banff Sunshine, Lake Lousie, and Norquay, which gives skiers and snowboarders plenty of opportunities to hit the slopes.
February: Alta, Snowbird, and Brian Head, Utah
2024-25 Opening Dates: November 8, 22 and 30
Utah is known for having the best snow in the United States. It’s light and fluffy and is what every powder chaser dreams of. The “Alta Magic” is famous for these conditions. Alta receives an average of 83 inches of snow in February and an average base depth of 100 inches. While Snowbird and Brian Head are in this region of the United States that gets blessed with amazing snow conditions, they still don’t match Alta. Location is everything; being 30 minutes farther south can make all the difference. However, the conditions are still top-notch, and any skier or snowboarder would be foolish to think that Snowbird and Brian Head do not have great snow conditions and terrain. These three resorts average over 200 to 400 inches of snow each season. Don’t forget that Brian Head Resort offers some of the best daily lift ticket prices in the whole country, with some tickets costing $19. Brian Head Resort is usually one of the first ski resorts to open in Utah each season and opened this year on November 8.
March: Telluride, Colorado
2024-25 Opening Date: November 28
March during the ski season can get a little more tricky when finding the best places to ski. This month marks the end for some ski resorts in warmer climates, which may struggle to make it to the end of the month. That’s not the case for Telluride, which is securely located in the Centennial State at the Rocky Mountains. The resort and town are the poster child for the iconic Western ski resort with their charm and rustic feel. Telluride receives an average of 50 inches of snow during the month and an average base depth of 61 inches. Due to colder temperatures, elevation, steep terrain, and north-facing slopes, March is the best time to ski in Telluride.
April: Palisades, California
2024-25 Opening Date: November 22
Spring brings warmer weather, but conditions at ski resorts quickly deteriorate. Ski resorts located at higher elevations, in colder climates, or with great snowmaking capabilities are usually the ones still going strong at this point. Palisades is one of those resorts that seems to get hit every spring with a massive snowstorm. Sometimes, these storms can dump several feet of snow, allowing Palisades to ski into the summer. Last spring, Palisades got hit with a monster storm that dropped 102 inches of snow, bringing the base depth to an incredible 165 inches. Although the average snowfall in April at Palisades is only 31 inches, snowfall from December through March provides more than enough base to keep the mountain rocking in the spring.
May: Killington, Vermont
2024-25 Opening Date: November 14
Spring skiing is special. All the recreational skiers and snowboarders have put their skis and boards away for the season. But the die-hards live for spring skiing, and Killington is the place to be for its atmosphere, vibes, and conditions. Killington is usually the last mountain standing in the East each year. It even beats out some resorts in Colorado, Utah, and California and tries to keep the lifts spinning until the first week of June every season. Typically, the place to be is Superstar Glacier, the iconic slope that hosts the FIS World Cup Race every Thanksgiving weekend. It is one of Killington’s most recognizable slopes, and it attracts the best skiers up and down the East Coast every May, enjoying every bump from top to bottom. This season will be different, though. With the new Superstar lift being installed this spring, skiers will have to go to other slopes at Killington to find the best place to go for spring skiing. Killington has already released the spring operations plans and hopes to stay open as long as possible.
June: Mammoth Mountain, California
2024-25 Opening Date: November 15
Summer skiing at Mammoth Mountain in shorts and bikinis is something straight out of Hollywood. Few resorts can offer the conditions and terrain open like Mammoth during June. Mammoth Mountain received a record amount of snowfall during the winter of 2022-23, with a season total of 715 inches at the main lodge and almost 900 inches at the summit. The resort closed for that year with an amazing 275-day ski season. This is why Mammoth is on the list of best ski resorts to ski at during June. Although it typically receives less than an inch of snow during the month, its average base depth is still a whopping 51 inches. This occurs because of its location and the big spring snowstorms it receives.
Last season, Mammoth’s closed on Memorial Day, May 27. Historically, it’s an early closing; the 3,500-acre ski area often runs daily lift operations into June and July, with the 2022-23 record season keeping its chairs spinning until August. However, Mammoth decided to shut down at the end of May last year because of major improvements the resort had slated for that summer. If you’re looking for a ski resort that offers great skiing conditions in June, Mammoth is the place to be.
July: Timberline Lodge, Oregon
2024-25 Opening Date: November 5
While most ski resorts in North America are closed for months by July, that doesn’t mean skiers can’t still hit the slopes at Timberline Lodge, Oregon. July is synonymous with summer, but there is still snow at Timberline in the Pacific Northwest. The skiing takes place on the Palmer snowfield, accessed by the Magic Mile and Palmer chairlifts. Being the only ski resort still open in North America attracts from all over.
Timberline’s 4,540 feet of vertical is the longest in the U.S. and can only be accessed when the Palmer chair runs. There are many different experiences down the 4,540 feet. Above the tree line, take in the wide-open views of the Mt. Hood summit and the Cascades to the south while skiing down the unique Palmer snowfield snow. At the mid-mountain tree line, enter the alpine forest with Kruser’s wide runs or Spraypaint and Paintbrush terrain parks. The Alpine Trail is quiet and sheltered with old-growth timber.
The Palmer Express chairlift gives Timberline the longest ski season in North America and opens in the spring. However, due to extreme weather throughout the winter, the Plamer Chair does not operate. Frequent and heavy winter storms coat the lift towers in thick snow and ice. These storms often have wind speeds exceeding 100 mph and brutally cold temperatures, making de-icing the lift virtually impossible. Timberline Lodge used to stay open until September; however, it has been closing in August due to warmer temperatures over the last few seasons.
August/September: BigSnow, New Jersey
2024-25 Opening Date: N/A
Not many ski resorts are usually open in North America by August and September. Timberline and Beartooth Basin are usually the last two standing, but they have been closing earlier than normal due to warmer weather. Beartooth did not even open last summer for skiing due to a lack of snow. Beartooth Pass usually gets cleared of snow in May, and the resort typically opens around Memorial Day. In 2022-23, the resort opened for just three weeks and had to cease operations on June 13, 2023, due to warm temperatures making operations unsafe.
That leaves just one option for anyone who wants to go skiing in July and August: BigSnow American Dream in New Jersey. It is the only indoor ski resort in North America and is open year-round. Many questions would definitely be in the mind of anyone thinking about trying an indoor ski park for the first time. The one thing that most could not imagine is having the opportunity to go skiing in August and September. The idea of packing up your skis and gear into your vehicle wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals is something that most of us have never done. Having the opportunity to hit the slopes, be back on your skis, and make some good turns is enough incentive for anyone to check out Big SNOW.
Quick Facts and History
- Big SNOW American Dream opened on December 5, 2019
- 4 acres of skiable terrain
- 3 trails (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
- 1 terrain park
- 4 lifts
- The longest trail is 1,000 feet
- Climate control is set to 28 degrees
Finding the best place to ski throughout the year can be a little challenging, but knowing what ski resorts have the best conditions and terrain can make all the difference. There are many ski resorts that could have made this list. Let us know which ones you think should have made it in the comments.
