California’s ski conditions are currently characterized by limited new snowfall, with the highest 24-hour accumulation recorded at **Forestdale Creek** (18 inches). Nearby ski resorts such as **Kirkwood Mountain Resort** and **Heavenly Mountain Resort** may benefit from this isolated uptick in snow, although regional snowpack depth varies. Other areas, like **Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows** (near **CSS Lab** and **Ward Creek #3**, reporting 47 and 42 inches of snowpack respectively), have seen no new accumulation but maintain solid bases for skiing. In contrast, **Mammoth Mountain**, linked to sensors like **Leavitt Lake** (60 inches snowpack), is experiencing stable conditions without recent snowfall. Notably, most of the state has a zero 5-day snow forecast, leaving existing snowpack as the primary skiing resource.
The heaviest snowpack in the state is centered around higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada, including **Independence Lake** (55 inches) and **Forestdale Creek** (56 inches), with the latter seeing the most recent snowfall activity. This may enhance conditions for resorts like **Northstar California Resort**, though continued dry weather could impact snow quality in the coming days. While no additional snowfall is expected, skiers should focus on resorts showing strong base depths, such as **Palisades Tahoe** (43 inches) and **Kirkwood** (near **Carson Pass**, 33 inches). Cities like South Lake Tahoe and Truckee will see stable but dry conditions, so plan trips accordingly to areas with deeper snowpack for optimal skiing.
Ski Area | Air Temp (F) | Snowfall | Snowpack | vs Avg | SWE | 24hr Forecast | 72hr Forecast | 120hr Forecast |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
28 | 0 | 24 | +7% | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
28 | 0 | 24 | +7% | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
0 | 11 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
30 | 0 | 44 | -10% | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
35 | -1 | 47 | -14% | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
35 | -1 | 47 | -14% | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
35 | -1 | 47 | -14% | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
35 | -1 | 47 | -14% | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
26 | 0 | 42 | -15% | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
26 | 0 | 42 | -15% | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
26 | 0 | 42 | -15% | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
34 | 0 | 43 | -15% | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
21 | 0 | 32 | -24% | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
31 | 0 | 19 | -28% | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
31 | 0 | 19 | -28% | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
30 | 0 | 33 | -31% | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
25 | 0 | 34 | -33% | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
% | 0 | 0 | ||||||
% | 0 | 0 | ||||||
% | 0 | 0 | ||||||
% | 0 | 0 | ||||||
% | 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.