Where To Ski in November, as Predicted by Open Snow Experts

Some folks may think skiing in November is crazy: the snow is rarely good, and the mere thrill of lifts spinning often attracts crowds larger than downhill capacity should allow.

It can be difficult to know where, if anywhere, it is worth skiing in November. While resorts are making snow around the clock, the decision to open boils down to weather.

Colorado

For Colorado skiers, the weather may finally be on your side. According to Open Snow meteorologist Joel Gratz, November is set to start with a “bang.” He predicts a storm arriving Sunday will drop 6 to 12 inches on nearly all mountains, with some spots seeing up to 20. Did someone say powder day?!

Several Colorado resorts are opening their lifts before Halloween is over. Arapahoe Basin opened Oct. 28, Keystone follows on Oct. 30, and Wolf Creek on Oct. 31. Snow is thin at all three for now, but their high elevations should set them up for a stronger start to November.

Breckenridge and Copper Mountain are planning to open on Nov. 6, and if the snow comes in like Gratz is predicting, their opening days could feature more than just a white ribbon of death.

A little later into the month, Vail and Eldora are both planning Nov. 13 opening dates. It’s too early to tell if temperatures will preserve the snow from earlier storms, but as long as cold air remains, these are resorts to keep on your radar for potentially decent skiing.

Utah

Neighboring Utah resorts aren’t expected to receive as fruitful a snow bounty. They’ll see the same storm as Colorado, with the highest accumulations on Sunday, says Open Snow forecaster Evan Thayer. “Cooler air will eventually lower snow levels, with some decent accumulations possible up high.”

As of the time of publishing, Brian Head is planning on opening on Nov. 6. If Thayer’s prediction is accurate, the Southern Utah resort could see “decent accumulations” on its highest peaks. Alta, Park City, and Solitude are all planning on opening on Nov. 20. It’s too early to say how these resorts will fare, but cold temperatures will be the biggest asset.

California

California skiers will have to wait a bit longer. Open Snow forecaster Bryan Alleretto predicts the Tahoe region’s snowy start will likely come after Nov. 10, which could be good timing for Mammoth Mountain, set to open Nov. 20. Mammoth isn’t a Tahoe resort, but it tends to share weather patterns with those to the north.

New England

The East Coast has had a warm fall, but that could change. There’s no official snow report yet, but Maine’s Sugarloaf plans to reopen Nov. 20, likely making it the region’s first resort to welcome skiers back. Vermont’s Sugarbush follows on Nov. 21, while nearby Killington, which often opens early, hasn’t announced a date as of press time.

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