Image by Soren Egeberg Photography
Over all North America had a below average season with just 90% of its normal snowfall during the 2013 -2014 winter ski season. Most of that deficit came from California, which had its second lowest season on record and is now facing a severe drought. The Pacific northwest, Idaho, Utah and the southwest were also below average, while most of Montana, Wyoming and Colorado enjoyed an above average season. Here is a look at the winers and losers of the 2013-2014 ski season.
California saw just 48% of its average seasonal snowfall. This was the third straight season of below average snowfall for California. Squaw Valley saw just, 60% of normal snowfall, at it summit but only 33% of normal at its base. Other California resorts did not fair much better. Heavenly saw just 48% of normal snowfall.
Utah also had a below average season with just 74% of it’s historic average. Park City finished their season with 86% of normal snowfall with Alta coming in at 80%. In the far south of the state, Brian Head had its lowest snow season on record with less than half it’s normal snowfall.
Colorado overall had a very strong season with 106% of its average snowfall. The heaviest snowfall fell near the Continental Divide (Loveland led the region with 417″ or 120%) and the least in the south-west (Taos 80%). Aspen had warpped the season up at 116% of normal snowfall but Vail failed to hit 100% of normal coming in at 93%. Arapahoe Basin was another big winner with 128% of historic snowfall.
The Northern Rockies just beat out their average with 101% of normal snowfall. But the averages were sharply divided between below average in Idaho (Sun Valley 82%) and above average in Montana (Big Sky 127%). In Wyoming, Jackson Hole had a solid season with 109% of average snowfall.
The Northeast came in at 93% of its average seasonal snowfall. November and early December were above average for days where snow-making could occur, though mostly below average for snowfall. Killington saw just 80% of its average but Cannon in New Hampshire saw 114%.
The Pacific Northwest saw below average snowfall with just 82% of its historic norms. However, Mt. Baker easily led North America in snowfall with 582″, despite being well below average at 89%.
And up in Alaska Alyeska had its lowest season on record at 291″ just 57% of its normal snowfall.
[Image credit: Shutterstock]