CALIFORNIA SKI REPORT

March 22 2025
       

California ski resorts are seeing mixed snowfall conditions, with the heaviest accumulations in the northern Sierra Nevada and Modoc regions. Cedar Pass (near Mount Shasta) and Dismal Swamp report up to 3 inches of forecasted snowfall over the next five days, while Big Flat is expected to receive 4 inches. Snowpack remains deep at Independence Lake (124 inches) and Leavitt Lake (137 inches), ensuring solid base conditions at nearby resorts including Palisades Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain. Heavenly Valley and Kirkwood report no new snow but maintain snow depths above 60 inches, keeping ski conditions stable. Stouts Meadow saw the highest recent snowfall with 5 inches in the last 24 hours, while Poison Flat recorded 10 inches, indicating strong snow coverage in isolated areas.

Looking ahead, snowfall forecasts remain modest across the Sierra. Carson Pass and Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe) expect around 1 inch in the next five days, with limited fresh accumulation elsewhere. The Lake Tahoe region, including resorts like Northstar and Sugar Bowl, maintains deep snowpacks above 80 inches but will see little new snowfall. Northern areas such as Cedar Pass and Mumbo Basin may see up to 3 inches, potentially improving conditions for backcountry skiers. With stable snow conditions at major resorts and limited new snowfall expected, skiers should anticipate packed powder and groomed runs dominating most terrain.

Ski Area Air Temp (F) Snowfall Snowpack vs Avg SWE 24hr Forecast 72hr Forecast 120hr Forecast
36 -1 49 +91% 12 0 0 0
34 0 95 +28% 32 0 0 0
34 0 95 +28% 32 0 0 0
34 0 95 +28% 32 0 0 0
34 0 95 +28% 32 0 0 0
35 0 86 +26% 36 0 0 0
35 0 86 +26% 36 0 0 0
35 0 86 +26% 36 0 0 0
34 0 55 +13% 16 0 0 0
34 0 55 +13% 16 0 0 0
35 0 88 +11% 39 1 1 0
32 0 87 +6% 38 0 0 0
33 0 65 +5% 24 1 1 0
70 0 0 0% 0 0 0 0
70 0 0 0% 0 0 0 0
54 0 0 0% 0 0 0 0
70 0 0 0% 0 0 0 0
39 0 41 -1% 15 0 0 0
39 0 41 -1% 15 0 0 0
32 0 75 -5% 27 1 1 0
33 0 69 -7% 27 1 1 0
57 0 0 -100% 0 0 0 0
0 0 -100% 0 0 0 0
0 0 -100% 0 0 0 0
% 0 0
% 0 0
% 0 0
% 0 0
% 0 0
% 0 0


California boasts some of the best ski resorts in the United States, with world-renowned terrain and an average snowfall of 300 inches per year. Here are some popular resorts within the state.

1. Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort: Located in Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort is one of the most popular ski resorts in California. It boasts an average snowfall of 400 inches per year and a ski area of over 3,500 acres. The best month to visit is usually February.

2. Squaw Valley Ski Resort: Squaw Valley Ski Resort, located in North Lake Tahoe, is known for hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics. It has an average snowfall of 450 inches per year and a skiable area of 3,600 acres. The best month to visit is usually January.

3. Heavenly Mountain Resort: Located in South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in California, with a skiable area of over 4,800 acres. It has an average snowfall of 360 inches per year. The best month to visit is usually March.

Other notable ski resorts in California include Northstar California Resort, Kirkwood Mountain Resort, and Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort.

The average snowpack in California varies by region, but the Sierra Nevada Mountains typically have a snowpack of around 100-150 inches in early winter and up to 200-300 inches by late winter.

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