2017-2018 was a winter many skiers and snowboards would happily forget, after an underwhelming winter season in much of North America, those in Utah, Colorado and New Mexico are particularly praying for powder.
Related: NOAA – Winter Weather Forecast / Outlook For 2018 -2019
Last season the big winners for snowfall were Montana, Idaho and Washington. However the top 10 receivers for snowfall last winter in the United States might just surprise you after all.
Top 10 Snowfalls From Last Winter
1.) Mt. Baker, WA: O
nce again the North Cascades got more wet snow than anywhere else in the United States, Washington states beloved Mt. Baker Ski Area received 700”+.
2018/2019 Prediction: #1 Again.
2.) Lookout Pass, ID:
The resort on the Montana-Idaho border had a season for the books, reporting an above average snowfall of 500”+.
2018/2019 Prediction: Top 25.
3.) Silver Mountain, ID:
Idaho had a fantastic winter in the 2017-2018 season totaling to roughly 450” at Kellogg’s own Silver Mountain.
2018/2019 Prediction: Not in Top 40.
4.) Timberline Lodge, OR:
Although not a banner year for Oregon’s historic Timberline Lodge, 440” of snow was enough to be the 4th snowiest place this past winter.
2018/2019 Prediction: Top 8.
5.) Whitefish, MT
Whitefish closed out the season with 410″ of snowfall. That’s a big total for the MT ski area which saw its second 400+ inch year in a row.
2018/2019 Prediction: Not in Top 50
6.) Grouse Mountain, BC:
A strong year for Vancouver skiers was provided by the over 400” at local Grouse Mountain last winter, far above the average 102” the mountain receives.
2018/2019 Prediction: Not in Top 50.
7.) Crystal Mountain, WA:
The Pacific Northwest was a refuge for frustrated skiers and snowboarders last winter, as Crystal Mountain didn’t receive a record snowfall but a respectable 400”.
2018/2019 Prediction: Top 20.
8.) Jackson Hole, WY:
The famed ski resort of Wyoming, Jackson Hole only saw 397” of powder last season, not exactly the unbelievable conditions many expect, but a healthy winter nonetheless.
2018/2019 Prediction: Top 5.
9.) Snowbird, UT:
Utah skiers were itching for better conditions most of the season last winter, but even in a low flow season, Snowbird still saw an impressive 390”.
2018/2019 Prediction: Top 10.
10.) Schweitzer, ID:
Possibly the biggest winner for snowfall last year, Idaho’s Schweitzer Mountain resort saw an unprecedented 382” of snow last winter.
2018/2019 Prediction: Top 30.
Predictions For Top 2018-2019 Snowfall:
NOAA is currently predicting an El Niño event for the upcoming ski season. The ENSO positive event typically favors the Southwest and northern portions of Canada and Interior BC.
ENSO-neutral is favored through Northern Hemisphere summer 2018, with the chance for El Niño increasing to about 65% during fall, and to about 70% during winter 2018-19. – NOAA
Unofficial Picks:
- Alyeska, AK
- Alta, UT
- Wolf Creek, CO
- Silverton, CO
- Taos, NM
- Revelstoke, BC
