USA — If you’re looking to find quality ski conditions this winter, forecasters are saying that the Northeast, Midwest, and Northwest will be the places to go.
Yesterday, Accuweather® issued an updated 2025-26 ski season forecast. They’re calling for strong early and late season conditions. The fear is that a mid-season dry stretch could impact ski resorts, especially in the Southwest.
“Snow lovers won’t have to wait long for great conditions on the slopes this winter,” said Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather® Lead Long-Range Expert. “Some of the best conditions are expected during the first few weeks of the season, with fresh powder, cold blasts and ideal weather to make snow and groom the trails. The heart of the season could be challenging at many mountains, with midseason thaws and long stretches with little snow.”
The strongest conditions are expected in the Northeast (particularly in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine), the Midwest, and the Northwest (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Oregon).
An average winter is expected for Northern Utah and the Northern/I-70 corridor of Colorado. Currently, I’d say skiers there would be satisfied with an average winter.
Southeast skiers have already seen a bit of snow, so they won’t be surprised by AccuWeather saying that they should also expect an average winter. Unsurprisingly, the Southwest and California/Nevada are expected to struggle this winter. If the forecast is accurate, this would be their second consecutive down winter.
Accuweather’s forecast also detailed the impact of climate change on the U.S. ski industry. Climate change is leading to more frequent temperature swings and heavier storms, which can be beneficial (such as larger snowstorms) and detrimental (rain). Accuweather is calling for ski resorts to capitalize on their shorter windows of opportunity to make snow. The good news for skiers is that operators are prioritizing continuous investment in their snowmaking infrastructure and slope maintenance.
Image/Video Credits: AccuWeather®
