No resort is open for skiing today, but the season just got a real head start. A winter storm is snowing at Alta this morning and the National Weather Service expects it to keep going through Monday morning. The one thing to know is that this is base building snow, not opening day snow. The first Utah opening is still Brian Head on Friday, November 6.
Resort status
- Alta: closed, projected opening November 20
- Snowbird: closed, projected opening November 27
- Brighton: closed, opening date not yet announced
- Solitude: closed, projected opening November 20
- Deer Valley: closed, projected opening December 5
- Park City: closed, projected opening November 20
- Snowbasin: closed, projected opening November 27
- Powder Mountain: closed, projected opening December 11
- Brian Head: closed, projected opening November 6
All dates are from Ski Utah, checked this morning, and all are conditions permitting. Eagle Point will not operate this season.
What changed
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory on Saturday night that runs until 11 a.m. Monday. It calls for 8 to 12 inches of snow above 8,000 feet, with 18 to 24 inches possible in the upper Cottonwoods above 9,000 feet. Winds could gust to 45 mph. Ski Utah also now lists Sundance opening on December 4. Sundance had been listed as not yet announced in October.
Conditions
At Alta, snow falls today with a high near 36 degrees, falling to about 33 this afternoon. The forecast calls for 4 to 8 inches today, then 5 to 9 inches tonight with a low near 28. Snow continues Monday morning with 1 to 3 more inches and a high near 31, then skies clear Monday night. Tuesday looks mostly sunny with a high near 40, before another chance of light snow Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Roads
The advisory warns that travel could be difficult at times and that traction law restrictions may be enacted for the canyon roads, SR-210 in Little Cottonwood and SR-190 in Big Cottonwood. No specific restriction was confirmed in this check. If you drive to either canyon today, carry proper winter tires or traction devices and check UDOT Cottonwood Canyons updates before you leave.
Today’s call
Do not plan on lift served skiing today, because nothing is open. Use the storm day to get ready instead. Check your gear, watch Brian Head this week as it aims for Friday, and expect the Cottonwood resorts to report this storm as their first solid base. If you head into the backcountry, check the Utah Avalanche Center first, because new snow on gusty winds is a classic recipe for unstable snow.
Sources checked this morning: National Weather Service forecast and alerts for Alta, Ski Utah opening dates, and UDOT traction guidance.