The prayers of hundreds of skiers throughout the West might have lastly been answered. It’s been a dreary ski season in locations like California, Oregon, and Washington, however simply in time for Christmas, the climate is anticipated to make a pointy flip.That’s already prompted the opening of some ski resorts that have been closed, like Crystal Mountain, Washington, and will result in a number of extra as the vacations get underway. That can assist you benefit from the December snow, we’ve detailed just a few massive winners. Whereas we are able to by no means assure powder days prematurely, these ski resorts throughout North America certain appear to be Santa’s favorites. The 2026 POWDER Picture Annual is right here! Search for a print copy on a newsstand close to you, or click on right here to have a replica shipped on to your entrance door.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort/Ikon Move Media Property
1. Revelstoke Mountain Resort, British Columbia
How does effectively over 150 inches of snowfall up to now sound? If you happen to mentioned, “Sure, please,” you would possibly need to make your approach over to Revelstoke Mountain Resort in a jiffy. Attractive footage has surfaced from the British Columbia stalwart in current days, shot by the likes of Ross Tester and Toby Rafford, two skilled skiers who know learn how to benefit from deep snow. Whereas we are able to’t ski like them, we wouldn’t thoughts spending just a few hours following (rigorously) of their tracks. We’re happy to report that the British Columbian powder bonanza hasn’t ended but. One other moisture band is pointed on the West Coast once more, and Revelstoke Mountain Resort is about to profit. Pack your snorkels.
Hanne Lundin
2. Banff Sunshine, Alberta
Simply over the province line, Banff Sunshine can also be having fun with a snowy begin to the 2025-26 season. The ski resort fired up its lifts on November 2, marking its earliest opening in many years. The flakes haven’t slowed down since, with a formidable 150-plus inches piling up up to now this winter. When you’re at it, it’s best to in all probability cease by Lake Louise, too, one other famed Banff space mountain that’s additionally swimming in snow.
Picture: James MacDonald/Bloomberg by way of Getty Pictures
3. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Whistler Blackcomb noticed a little bit of a lopsided earlier season, with fluctuating freezing ranges leaving the bottom space damp and moist. On the similar time, the higher mountain has been selecting up loads of snow. The decrease elevations are lastly catching up, too, with the Creekside base and Whistler Village sporting a pleasant white coat. Extra importantly, a lot of Whistler Blackcomb’s best-known lifts are already in play, just like the Peak Categorical.That concludes the British Columbia portion of this text, however, as you’ve in all probability gathered, the Canadian province is the place to be this Christmas. Each resort talked about right here is an effective wager. So are others. Go forward, throw a dart at a map and see the place you’d find yourself—odds are nice you received’t be dissatisfied.
Indy Move Media Equipment/Jay Peak
4. Jay Peak, Vermont
Good lord, Jay Peak. The Northeast Kingdom showstopper has had a barnstorming season up to now, with storm after storm laying down the powder thick. It’s made for a humorous, backwards-seeming state of affairs. West Coasters have bemoaned the shortage of snow. Jay Peak diehards, in the meantime, are dodging the “East Coast powder day” allegations in dramatic style. Not too long ago, the resort put it in phrases we ski bums can perceive by way of a intelligent social media put up. As of December 20, Jay Peak had tallied greater than “three Danny DeVitos” value of snow. That’s lots, and extra is on the way in which, with a foot-deep refresh doable earlier than Christmas arrives. You’ll be able to hear the most recent from Jay Peak’s winter wonderland by tuning in to native snow forecaster Tim Kelley.
capecodphoto/Getty Pictures
5. Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont
Stowe Mountain Resort is a bit additional south than Jay Peak and hasn’t stacked up fairly as a lot powder as its neighbor. Nonetheless, with greater than 100 inches of snow tallied since November, the ski resort has loads of momentum going into Christmas. And, like Jay Peak, one other refresh is within the playing cards, with a pleasant little storm monitoring to hit Stowe this week.
Dakota Snider, Mammoth Mountain
6. Mammoth Mountain, California
Among the many California ski resorts assailed by heat and moist climate, Mammoth Mountain has fared one of the best. It kicked off its season on November 20 after a brief delay, and has saved the lifts spinning since.Whereas December hasn’t confirmed significantly productive for the ski resort up to now, the week of Christmas is about to vary the established order. The Nationwide Climate Service is asking for ft of snow via and on Christmas Day, blanketing the resort throughout a traditional Sierra Nevada grand slam. One phrase of warning, although. Given the quantity of snow within the forecast—and the accompanying excessive winds—Mammoth Mountain might have a troublesome time opening on Christmas. Be ready for elevate delays and, possibly, a closure. Nonetheless, those that climate the storm shall be rewarded. That is shaping as much as be one of many most interesting and deepest storms up to now this season, offered the forecast holds. How’s that for a Christmas current?
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