How Much Snow Does the Ski Resort Need to Open?

The amount of snow needed to open a ski resort depends on its terrain. A mountain resort with more rocks and fewer shrubs will require more snow in season to protect the ground. As a general rule, higher-altitude resorts require more snow than lower-altitude resorts. For example, most French and Swiss resorts are above 200m, where there is virtually no ground cover and little to no plant life. By contrast, low-altitude ski resorts usually only require six inches (15cm) of snow to open for skiing.

Less Than 6"

The amount of snow needed to open a ski resort varies by location. Resorts at higher altitudes and those that are not fed by livestock usually require more snow. Some of these resorts need more than 6 inches (15cm) of snow. In rare seasons, a ski resort may be partially open or may only open a few runs. It depends on snow how long snowboarding season will be.

For example, Mt. Baker opened with a base of 5-7 feet, Crystal was at four feet, and Blackcomb and Timberline were operating on a 3-6-foot base. While snowfall was low in most areas, a few ski areas in the Washington and Oregon coasts received an average of two to three feet in early December. These base levels allowed the resorts to open for the holiday season. In Whistler, 20 inches of snow fell in the first half of December. Then, Christmas and New Year's storms topped it off. The alpine of Whistler was covered by up to 7 feet of snow, with some lower areas experiencing variable conditions.

In northern Colorado, resorts in snowboarding season started to open earlier this year, with Big Sky and Crested Butte opening Lone Peak in November and Jackson Hole opening all lifts on December 10. The snowfall was below average throughout the holiday season, but most resorts were still in full operation by December. On average, the area received six to 11 inches of snow in January, but it was dry mid-month. Across the West, February snowfall was about average, with the exception of Sun Valley, which had a huge storm in the Sierra in early March.

Snow Cannons

It's crucial for ski resorts to have enough snow to open. Typically, a ski resort needs 20 inches of snow to open, but this varies. Some ski resorts rely on snow cannons to add additional snow to open their ski areas. If there isn't enough snow to open the entire mountain, the resort may partially open the season or only open some runs.

Another important factor to consider is how much snow the resort gets throughout the year. Some of the best ski resorts don't receive as much snow as others, but their snow lasts longer. The elevation of the resort is also a big factor. Higher elevation means colder temperatures, which means that snow will stick better.

Many ski resorts will close runs if the base is too low, causing dangerous ice and protruding rocks. Typically, the snowiest months are January, December, and February. It is best to go on a ski vacation during these months for the best conditions. However, if you can't wait until these months, you might be better off taking your vacation in early or mid-season. There are less people during those seasons, so you'll get the best skiing.

Valleys

The amount of snow a ski resort needs to open varies. Some resorts have little natural snow, so they rely on snow cannons to pump out fresh powder to keep the ski runs open. Other resorts may only open some of the runs or have a short season. However, very few ski resorts close during a winter because of snowfall.

Each ski resort will have different requirements, but the minimum snow depth is usually around 20 inches (50cm). For a typical ski resort, 20 inches of snow is required, while rockier resorts require more snow. The higher the snow, the more skiable terrain will be. In addition, resorts equipped with snow cannons may open early if there is less snowfall than average.

In addition to the amount of snowfall a ski resort needs, it needs to be stable enough to retain snow. For this, a deep base layer is important, since a deep base layer will help new snow stay longer. Also, snow-making equipment must be able to compact the pistes to avoid melting.

Mountain Terrain

The average amount of snow a ski resort receives throughout the winter months depends on a number of factors. The slope aspect and topography of a mountain will have an impact on the amount of snow that can accumulate. The number of snowy days per month at a particular resort may vary widely, and the percentage of days with less than 30 inches of snow is also a factor. If a ski resort is located in an area where snow falls frequently, it may be at risk of opening with a limited snowpack by Christmas.

When planning your vacation, consider how much snow a ski resort needs to open in order to make the most of the season. When the base of snow is low, ski runs may be closed and snow-covered terrain may be dangerous. Check the temperatures daily to make sure they are safe for skiing. Also, look at the base depths on the pistes to see how deep they are. Although base depths are not a standard measurement, they should give you an idea of how deep the pistes are.