WESTERN CANADA SNOW CONDITIONS DECEMBER 2023

Written by Ethan Shaheen

As many of you know, it's been a very so-so start to the season here in Canada. Some resorts have had a few big pow days, giving us a solid base, while others have record-low snowfall. It seems for the 2023/24 season, snow conditions will be more important than ever when deciding where you should be going.

Here is a breakdown of every major AB and BC resort in alphabetical order as of December 20th, 2023:

Alberta Ski Resort Current Conditions 

Banff Sunshine Village Conditions 

Settled Base: 76cm 
Total Snowfall: 202cm 
Lift/Run Status: 12/12 lifts, 90/120 runs 

After a very rough start, Sunshine is doing well with multiple powder days in early/mid-December! With Goats Eye Mountain now open, Sunshine is ready to rock and roll. 

Castle Mountain Resort Conditions 

Settled Base: 40cm
Total Snowfall: 165cm 
Lift/Run Status: 5/6 lifts, 35/95 runs 

According to today's weather report, Castle is struggling with warm weather (2°C today) and light rain. Fingers crossed that Castle gets some of that nice fluffy snow that it's so well known for, especially before our January 6th demo day.

Lake Louise Ski Resort Conditions 

Upper Mountain: 95cm base, 232cm total snowfall 
Mid Mountain: 72cm base, 194cm total 
Lift/Run Status: 11/11 lifts, 111/164 runs 

Louise is off to a good start - and can list itself as one of the best resorts in Canada for snow conditions. Speaking from personal experience, I had a fantastic powder day on December 7th, including some waist-deep turns in the trees under Ptarmigan. I've been rocking the VICE 97s and 105s at Louise as of late. 

Marmot Basin Conditions 

Settled Base: 39cm 
Total Snowfall: 98cm 
Lift/Run Status: 5/7 lifts, 38/91 runs 

Marmot has been hit with some unfortunately warm weather lately (1°C degree today at the mid-mountain). With the new Knob Chair ready to run, we're keeping our fingers crossed that Marmot gets dumped on and has some cold weather soon. 

Mt. Norquay Ski Resort Conditions 

Settled Base (mountain top): 72cm 
Total Snowfall: 145cm 
Lift/Run Status: 6/6 lifts, 46/60 runs 

Only having skied one day at Norquay this season back when only two lifts were open in early December, it's improved a lot over the last couple of weeks. As a primarily groomer-focused resort, Norquay is a great option if you're looking to shred some groomers or hit the park. 

Nakiska Ski Area Conditions 

Settled Base: 44cm
Total Snowfall: 98cm 
Lift/Run Status: 4/6 lifts, 39/79 runs 

With no first-hand experience skiing Nakiska this season, I think it's going okay for groomed runs. 

British Colombia Ski Resort Current Conditions 

Big White Ski Resort Conditions 

Alpine Base: 88cm 
Total Snowfall: 138cm 
Lifts/Runs Status: 10/15 lifts, 53/118 runs 

With a delayed start to the season, the snowfall has been rough for Big White. However, they've gotten 20cm in the last week and are forecasted to get 7cm this Friday.

Fernie Alpine Resort Conditions 

Settled Base: 113cm
Total Snowfall: 253cm 
Lift/Run Status: 83/142 runs, 8/10 lifts

Fernie is in! 7cm in the last 24 hours only adds to the solid base that they've built. Skiing there on December 9th, I was treated to a beautiful 40cm pow day - rocking the VICE 113s - it was fantastic. 

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Conditions 

Base: 88cm 
Total Snowfall: 215cm 
Lift/Bowl Status: 4/5 lifts, 2/5 bowls open 

Kicking Horse is getting decent snow, we're hoping that they can get a couple more dumps and have all bowls open in the upcoming month. 

Kimberley Alpine Resort Conditions 

Base: 52cm
Total Snowfall: 97cm
Lift/Run Status: 3/5 lifts, 42/80 runs 

A low base - let's hope that Kimberley can get some dumps here soon! It's warm today but it is supposed to get colder soon. 

RED Mountain Resort Conditions 

Base: 58cm 
Total Snowfall: 114cm 
Lift/Run Status: Currently closed 

RED has had a tough go with a delayed start due to low snow. They're projecting an opening day of December 22 - keep up to date with their opening date here. 

Revelstoke Mountain Resort Conditions 

Settled Base: 112cm 
Total Snowfall: 306cm 
Lift/Run Status: 32/75 runs, 4/5 lifts

I'm biased, Revy is my favourite mountain and I can't wait to get out there. It looked like Revy was off to a really rough start to the season, having delayed opening day. But now, it looks like it's going great! Friends who have skied there got multiple pow days in the last couple of weeks. 

SilverStar Mountain Resort Conditions 

Base: 81cm
Total Snowfall: 129cm 
Lift/Run Status: 7/10 lifts, 50/132 runs 

A solid base - SilverStar is forecasting some snow before this weekend. 

Sun Peaks Resort Conditions 

Alpine Base: 61cm 
Mid-Mountain Base: 66c 
Lift/Run Status: 10/13 lifts, 44/137 runs 

Hit with a bout of warm weather, a weakening weather system has stalled across southern BC - they've been hit with 5cm of snow overnight, but there isn't much more forecasted for the immediate future. 

Whistler Blackcomb Conditions 

Base: 75cm 
Total Snowfall: 191cm 
Lift/Run Status: 19/27 lifts, 106/276 runs 

As I'm sure many people have seen on social media, the largest resort in Canada is dying for snow. Good news though, by Monday, December 25th Whistler is forecasted to receive over 90cm of the goods! 

Alberta and British Colombia Ski Resort Current Conditions Summary 

It's not a great start overall for Canadian ski resorts. If you're skiing in Alberta, Lake Louise or Banff Sunshine Village would be my recommendations. If you're in BC, Revelstoke and Fernie seem to be the play! 

Canadian Winter Expectations

With the El Niño weather pattern coming across Canada this winter, we can expect below-average temperatures and snowfall in AB & BC this season. When is more snow coming? BC is forecasted to receive heavy snowfall from January to March or April. In Alberta, it's looking like we'll have a typical dry January with big dumps coming in February. 

Where are you planning on going this season? I hope this helps if you're looking for a ski resort over the Christmas break!