Most of Western U.S. expecting heavy snow storms

A multitude of early season snow storms across much of Western North America  is prompting many ski resorts  to open early, including Aspen/Snowmass and Whistler Blackcomb. We’re happy to hear  that yet another large snow storm is currently brewing over much of the Western U.S. Snow forecasters are predicting well over a foot of snow for many ski areas in Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and parts of Wyoming and Montana Friday through Sunday morning.

By Friday afternoon the Pacific Northwest had already started seeing significant snowfall. Mt. Bachelor should see around a foot of snow, and Idaho’s Schweitzer ski resort is expected to see totals as much as 20 inches.

OpenSnow forecaster Evan Thayer is predicting several feet of snow for Salt Lake City ski areas. Little Cottonwood Canyon’s Snowbird and Alta should see about 14 inches by the time the storm’s over, but could see more. This snow is coming just in time for Alta and Snowbird’s opening days—Alta will open on Friday, November 22 and Snowbird will open on Wednesday November 20. Big Cottonwood Canyon’s Solitude ski resort, which also recently opened is expected to receive about a foot of snow over the weekend.

In Colorado, the heaviest snow is expected to head further south to the San Juan mountains, according to OpenSnow forecaster Joel Gratz.  Telluride could see around a foot. Aspen Mountain is opening up tomorrow, November 16, 2013 for the weekend, about two weeks earlier than expected, and thanks to the impending storm the potential for a powder day on Sunday is high. Aspen Mountain is expecting nearly a foot, while Snowmass will likely see more than a foot. Westerly winds will favor Aspen and Beaver Creek, which will likely see about eight inches.

New Mexico’s Taos ski area could see nearly a foot, too. And Whitefish ski resort in Montana is expected to receive more than a foot.

Wyoming’s Grand Targhee could see anywhere from eight inches up to 16 by Sunday, and Jackson Hole could experience five to 13 inches.

If you’re lucky enough to experience some powder this weekend we’d love to see your snow photos, share them on Ski.com’s Facebook page  or  by mentioning our Instagram handle @skicom.

Happy shredding!