Early-Season Snow Reaches Western Ski Areas

Early-season winter weather has brought snow to ski areas across the West, including western Montana, Park City Mountain and areas around Lake Tahoe, as well as Yellowstone and Utah’s higher elevations. Some Yellowstone roads were temporarily closed, and Utah resort bases remained rain-soaked amid warmer conditions. Forecasts call for more mountain snow this week, potentially in significant amounts, as resorts prepare to open; Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe has begun snowmaking ahead of the 2026–27 season. Looking further ahead, a strong El Niño could bring above-average precipitation to western ski states including California, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, but more precipitation does not guarantee more snow, and seasonal conditions remain uncertain.