Temperatures and man-made snow

For the first time in many years, Park City wasn’t able to make any snow until November 17. And it’s not the only resort. 

All across the country a number of resorts have pushed back opening dates: Mt. Snow, Stowe, and Okemo in New England; Solitude, Alta, Snowbasin, and Brian Head in Utah; Steamboat and Telluride in Colorado; Heavenly and Northstar in California; and, Arizona Snowbowl. 

Mammoth Mountain, thanks to an October providential snowfall has been open for some time with 43 trails open and seven lifts running. 

This brings a new element to early season snow coverage and of course, skiing. Up until now, November has been a usually very cold month and ski areas took advantage of that to build their base and most trafficked runs. 

This year was quite different and might be a harbinger of things to come as our planet keeps on warming up, eventually rendering the most sophisticated snow-making infrastructure and equipment totally useless in a few years from now...