Where's the Snow? Go to These Resorts to Kick Off Your Season

Val Thorens ski resort, the highest in Europe, is supplementing their packed snow with snow machines. (Jo Piazza/Yahoo Travel)

The mercurial whims of Mother Nature are forcing many ski resorts throughout the world to rely on snowmaking to begin their seasons this year, but fret not snow bunnies — from Japan to Sun Valley the slopes are open for business.

The short range forecast for natural snowfall is boding well for Eastern resorts in Maine, Vermont, and Pennsylvania — but not so stellar for the rest of the country. ”The next couple of weeks could produce a colder but drier weather pattern across the United States,” says Tom Kines of AccuWeather. “The exception could be along the east coast, where snow can accumulate throughout the mid-Atlantic and New England.”

Elk Mountain, which draws hordes of skiers from around the tri-state area, will welcome the anticipated snow. General manager Gregg Confer says, “Despite our reputation for snowmaking, many people don’t begin skiing until they see snow on their lawns.”

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Skiing Mount Snow (Photo: Mount Snow)

Mount Snow, Vermont, has been experiencing one of the best starts to a winter season in recent memory with consistent natural snow, in addition to ideal snowmaking conditions. “It’s got a January feel with a February look,” according to Snow’s Dave Meeker. “It’s nice and crisp weather and the mountain is completely covered in snow with a vast majority of our skiable terrain open.” Snowmaking manager Randy Barrows, who’s been making snow for over 30 years, says this is the best early season conditions he’s ever seen.

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The lifts at Whiteface (Photo: Whiteface)

At Sunday River in Maine natural snowfall and snowmaking have enabled the resort to offer mid-season snow in December with a great base. The resort has seen four feet of snowfall and even opened one of their glades earlier this month. It’s the same story at Whiteface Mountain, New York, two-time site of the Olympic Winter Games: “The combination of recent winter snow storms and snowmaking has allowed us to open more trails for this time of year than in the past,” says Aaron Kellet, mountain manager. Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont, received over two feet of natural snow in the last 10 days. “Cooler temperatures, improved snowmaking, and natural snow enabled Stowe to open more terrain earlier than ever this season,” says Stowe’s Scott Reeves.

Head out to Sun Valley for some packed powder. (Photo: Sun Valley)

Snow optimists who believe in the power of an El Nino can rejoice in the fact that a wintery weather pattern has been predicted over Colorado throughout January and February, possibly resulting in substantial snowfall.

Nestled next to the Continental Divide, where storms tend to congregate, Winter Park Resort in Colorado is usually blessed with an abundance of natural snowfall, and this season is no different: with snowfall totaling 103 inches thus far. At Colorado’s Crested Butte Mountain Resort, a small mountain resort with big skiing, 99 percent of the beginner and Intermediate terrain are available, and 96 percent of the advance trails are ready to be shred.

In fact, the majority of North American resorts are currently reporting packed powder conditions with a substantial percentage of trails open. Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe, California, which hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, currently has a base of 48 inches. To its east, Deer Valley Resort in Utah, one of the country’s most luxurious ski areas, reports a 27 inch base. And conditions at Sun Valley, Idaho, which operates North America’s largest computerized snowmaking system, are exceptional for this early in the season.

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Kiroro is well known for being the earliest opening ski resort in Japan. (Photo: Kiroro)

Those powder hounds who prefer natural snow may be best served this year by getting out of the country and heading to the western mountains in Japan. “They should have awesome conditions this ski season,” says Kines of AccuWeather, “because they’ve been hit with plenty of snow.” Such ski areas as Kiroro, known for its abundant snow and tree skiing, and Asahidake, which averages an astounding 45 feet of powder each season, are snow havens for ardent skiers looking for fresh powder early in the season.

It’s a different story in Europe: warm weather in November throughout the Alps has resulted in a slow start to the ski season there. Val Thorens, in the French Alps, is the highest ski resort in Europe and is one of the only ski resorts in Europe with some fresh snow. It snowed just last week as our writer was checking out the newly opened Club Med Val Thorens Sensations.

Snow clouds gather in the valley beneath Val Thorens. (Jo Piazza/Yahoo)

Approximately 65 percent of the Val Thorens ski area is open right now and the conditions are good, if a little icy. The French ski resort is also dependent on snowmaking to ensure quality conditions and the ability to maintain their snow during the season. Once foreign to the Alps, snowmaking is now an important ingredient for a successful European ski season.

However, famed French ski areas such as La Clusaz shows only a thin covering of snow, and Pierre Lestas could use another foot or snow before it becomes skiable.

Like many ski areas in France, Italy’s resorts need a good pounding of natural snowfall and consistent snowmaking conditions in order to attract skiers to their slopes. While northern Italy’s Cortina d‘Ampezzo is open for business with a 47 inch base, the same can’t be said for other Italian ski areas. As of Saturday, San Vito di Cadore, Misurina, and Auronzo Di Cadore were closed due to lack of snow.While ski snobs scoff at snow-making, the truth is that December skiing wouldn’t happen in most of the world if it weren’t for the faux snow. If you want an early start sometimes you have to make a compromise.

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