These 10 Mountains Are Already Getting Snow

Our Winter Gear Guide has dropped, season pass sales are winding down, and it’s just about time to get the sprinklers blown out for the season. To the average person, there are signs that autumn is here. But for skiers, they represent a high likelihood that it’s snowing somewhere, right this very second.

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Indeed, a handful of ski resorts have already notched their first flakes, mostly in the high elevations of Colorado’s Rockies, the Tahoe Basin, and upper reaches of the Canadian Rockies. And with the projection of a triple-dip La Niña teasing us with a potentially snowier than usual winter in certain parts of the country, there’s sure to be more on the way soon.

Here’s where Ullr has already left his mark. We’ll update this space as more ski resorts don their winter whites, so check back often.

Where It’s Already Snowing in Ski Country

Marmot Basin, Alb.

• First Snow: Sept. 19
• Opening Day: Nov. 19

The first storm of the season came in quick and powerful at this northern Alberta ski area, making it look almost skiable.

Mt. Rose, Nev.

• First Snow: Sept. 19
• Opening Day: Nov. 3

Flakes were a’swirling around Rose’s Zephyr Express six-pack chair earlier this week. The resort has the highest base elevation in the Tahoe region at 8,260 feet.

Big Sky, Mont.

• First Snow: Sept. 16
• Opening Day: Nov. 24

There was enough of the white stuff at the top of Big Sky’s tram that the construction crew working at the 11,166-foot summit was able to make a little snowman.

Loveland Ski Area, Colo.

• First Snow: Sept. 15
• Opening Day: Oct. 29

Great shot of Loveland’s Ptarmigan Chair on the right, Chair 2 on the left, and an expansive view of the Basin.

Copper Mountain, Colo.

• First Snow: Sept. 15
• Opening Day: Nov. 19

The first storm of the season blew in on the morning of Sept. 15, swirling around the terminus of the Excelerator chair. These images were taken later that day.

Breckenridge, Colo.

• First Snow: Sept. 15
• Opening Day: Nov. 11

A pretty little dusting on Breckenridge’s hike-to, high-alpine bowls. 

Arapahoe Basin, Colo.

• First Snow: Sept. 15
• Opening Day: Oct. 22

Bundle up if you plan to partake in A-Basin’s last summer weekend. This was the view from the summit, at 13,050 feet, last week.

Aspen Snowmass, Colo.

• First Snow: Sept. 15
• Opening Day: Nov. 24

Gorgeous images from local photographers Jeremy Swanson and Tamara Susa of the high peaks around Snowmass Resort.

Keystone Resort, Colo.

• First Snow: Sept. 15
• Opening Day: late October

A dusting of snow over Keystone’s Independence Bowl, where you can hike or take the snowcat for powder turns come mid-winter.

Banff Sunshine, Alb.

• First Snow: Sept. 9
• Opening Day: Nov. 10

Winter comes early to the high peaks in the Canadian Rockies, and Banff Sunshine is often the first to reap the benefits. Good thing, as there’s no snowmaking at this resort.