Book Early for the Best Pricing and Availability

La Niña Is Back And What That Means For Ski Season

La Niña Is Back And What That Means For Ski Season

You heard it here folks, La Niña is in full effect for the 20-21 winter season and according to NOAA, "La Niña = Skiers Delight over the Northern United States."

Related: RSVP - Refundable Ski Vacation Packages

In its most basic form, La Niña is the meteorological interface between temperatures in eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean and temperatures in the atmosphere directly over those portions of the Pacific Ocean. The female version of this romantic relationship between sea and sky, La Niña is signaled by low temps in the equatorial Pacific, which in turn, tends to move the jet stream's positioning further north, bringing with it moisture and cold temperatures to the northern half of the Western United States.

La Nina Winter 20-21 ForecastPowder turns in Jackson Hole | Photo Credit: Barclay Idsal

Generally speaking, La Niña events favor the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Alberta, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Northern/Western Colorado in terms of snowfall.

Forecast for November - January [NOAA]

NOAA Winter Temperature and Precipitation Outlook

"La Niña conditions are present and are likely to continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter (~75% chance)." - NOAA

Average snowfall during La Nina

La Nina Winners

Montana

Montana's northern orientation is about as favorable a location for snowfall during a La Nina winter than anywhere else in the lower 48. Big Sky and Whitefish Mountain Resort both benefit heavily from a northwest flow and should see plenty of powder this upcoming ski season.

Idaho

Sun Valley can be the place to be during a La Nina winter. On big years, any skier will tell you that Sun Valley is up there with the best ski resorts in the world and is home to both a vibrant history as well as impressive vertical totals. When La Nina was in effect for the 2016/2017 winter, Sun Valley saw a whopping 359" of snowfall.

Oregon

Oregon and in particular, the higher elevation resorts such as Mt Bachelor are often powder capitals during La Niña events and if the Pacific turns on the hose, it's is typically pointed directly at the Cascade Range from November through March. During that same 16/17 La Nina that saw big snow in Idaho, Mt Bachelor saw 469" of snowfall.

https://twitter.com/Skicom/status/1305902996933419012

Wyoming

Jackson Hole has had some of its best winters on record during La Nina events. In particular the 2010/2011 winter will go down as nothing short of ridiculous as the Rendezvous Bowl snow plot saw over 600 inches of snow during the season and if they'd been able to stay open through the end of April, could have seen upwards of 700 inches.

Northern/Western Colorado

Aspen Snowmass, Vail and Steamboat are typically favored for above average snowfall with Steamboat often receiving the lion's share due to its close proximity to the I-80 corridor which is usually a popular path for the jet stream during a La Nina season. During that same season Jackson saw big snowfall so did Steamboat, with the resort reporting 393" of total snowfall on Storm Peak.

British Columbia + Alberta

The mountains of British Columbia and Alberta also benefit from La Niña with Whistler Blackcomb favored to see EPIC snowfall. The same is generally true for interior British Columbia as well as the Canadian Rockies, including Banff.

https://twitter.com/Skicom/status/1301961584965607424

What About The Rest Of Ski Country?

Central Rockies:

The Central Rockies including most of Colorado and Utah typically sports equal chances for average precipitation during La Nina years. This means you can expect snow as normal, just maybe not as abundant as locations whose latitude is further north.

The Southwest:

The Southwest including Arizona, New Mexico, and Southwestern Colorado can receive below average snowfall during a typical La Nina season.

The Midwest:

The Midwest typically gets the tail end effects of La Nina and as such, Midwesterners can expect below average temps and above average snowfall.

The Northeast:

The Northeast isn't as directly affected by La Nina as the Western mountains in terms of snowfall outlooks. However in general, La Nina events can bring colder than normal temps to the East Coast but moisture predictions drop off when you get east of the Great Lakes, whom tend to see above average precipitation.

Ready to book the perfect powder getaway during this La Niña winter? Ski.com's 65+ Mountain Travel Experts know exactly where you have the best chances to score powder. Fill out free quote and get matched with a Mountain Travel Expert today.

TAGGED: climate prediction, la nina, outlook, aspen ski area, stoke-worthy snow, snowboarding, travel, weather

Barclay Idsal

Author

    How Our Free White (Ski) Glove Service Works: 

    Step 1
    Connect With a Mountain Travel Expert

    Reach out to a Ski.com Mountain Travel Expert by phone, chat, or our online form. Share details about your group size, interests, and budget and your Expert will begin to craft your dream ski vacation.

    Step 2
    Receive a Trip Proposal 

    Get a curated proposal with personalized suggestions from your Expert via email. Book directly online or request additions or revisions from your Expert until it’s perfect

    Step 3
    Travel with Support

    If you have questions, want to add or modify your reservations or need anything assistance, your Expert is always by your side to help before, during and after your trip. 

    Sign up for our newsletter

    Sign up for exclusive offers, news, updates and more.

    • Discounts
    • Latest News