With another El Niño winter potentially taking shape, skiers and snowboarders are already looking ahead to the 2026-27 season and trying to figure out where the best snow could fall. El Niño winters can shift the typical storm track across the United States, making some regions more favorable for snowfall while creating warmer or less favorable conditions elsewhere.
We took to Facebook to ask the Unofficial Networks community where they think El Niño will produce the best skiing this winter, and the responses created a few recurring locations. Mammoth Mountain, Southern Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah all received strong support, while Tahoe wound up as another frequent pick.
Mammoth Emerges as the Favorite
Mammoth Mountain could be one of the biggest winners of the upcoming El Niño winter if the predictions from Unofficial Networks readers are any indication. Several commenters singled out the area as their top choice, with some pointing toward past El Niño seasons as evidence. That same confidence in Mammoth’s success also lended some concern toward the snow around Lake Tahoe. One commenter predicted that Tahoe would receive the same storms as Mammoth but would see more rain while Mammoth would remain cold enough to see mostly snow.
Southern Colorado Gets Plenty of Attention
Mammoth was not the only clear favorite. Southern Colorado and New Mexico received significant support from readers who expect the southern portion of the Rockies to benefit from the storm track. One commenter specifically projected Wolf Creek Ski Area to receive the most snow in Colorado. Another said previous El Niño winters had produced super deep storm days at Wolf Creek, while also highlighting Silverton for its steep terrain. Other readers mentioned Taos, Wolf Creek, Santa Fe and Snowbowl as their preferred targets.
Utah and the Wasatch Are Still in the Conversation
Utah also appeared repeatedly in the responses, with several skiers pointing toward the Wasatch and its high elevation resorts. One commenter highlighted the canyon resorts in Utah and Colorado while expecting a relatively high snow level that could make elevation especially important. Another reader described a potential El Niño snow corridor running from Mammoth to the Wasatch before eventually reaching Steamboat. Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude were specifically mentioned as possible beneficiaries.
The Forecast Comes With Plenty of Uncertainty
Not everyone was ready to make a confident prediction. Some commenters argued that the best skiing would simply be wherever the snow actually falls, while others said they would believe the forecasts after skiing the snow themselves. For now the Facebook consensus points toward Mammoth, Southern Colorado, New Mexico and Utah as some of the regions worth watching as winter approaches.
