Park Metropolis’s Ski Season Is Off to Its Driest Begin in Years—However There’s Nonetheless Snow on the High

Park Metropolis, Utah, one of many West’s most beloved ski locations, is having an unusually tough season. For a state that prides itself on its snow, 2026 has began on an unexpectedly skinny be aware.

By this level in winter, rooftops are sometimes glazed in white and aspen groves disappear beneath Utah’s signature “champagne powder.” This 12 months, that acquainted scene is lacking. Snowfall has been scarce, leaving the mountain city trying extra like late fall than peak ski season.

“I don’t imply to sound dramatic, however that is the driest season we’ve ever had,” McKensee Harris, a supervisor at a neighborhood ski rental store on the town, instructed Journey + Leisure.

After a handful of promising snow days of round Thanksgiving, December introduced rain as an alternative. Extra not too long ago, temperatures within the metropolis—set at 7,000 toes above sea stage—have hovered within the low 50s. For reference, Park Metropolis sometimes averages about 300 inches of snow a 12 months. To date, the overall stands at simply 85 inches.

Here is what vacationers ought to know.

It Seems to be Worse Than It Is

A Tiktok that circulated in December—displaying a chairlift drifting over a brown, snowless hillside—sparked speedy concern. In any case, what’s a skier to do on the high: roll again down? Information protection hasn’t been far more reassuring. Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts, which owns Park Metropolis Mountain, instructed Skimag.com that this has been amongst “the worst early-season snowfalls … in over 30 years.”

The information backs him up. In keeping with The Nationwide Water and Local weather Middle’s SNOTEL, a community of backcountry climate stations that tracks snowpack, ranges throughout Utah are among the many lowest on document. In Park Metropolis, the bottom depth at present sits at about 40 inches—respectable, however a far cry from the staggering 636 inches the area noticed in 2023.

What these headlines typically miss; nevertheless, is the place the snow really is. On the base of the mountain, the place most motels and apres-ski spots are clustered, there’s barely a hint. Climb roughly 1,000 toes larger, although, and the slopes flip white. And sure, individuals are snowboarding.

Regardless of the gradual begin, roughly two-thirds of Park Metropolis Mountain’s trails are open. Contemplating it is the biggest ski resort within the U.S., spanning 7,300 skiable acres, that also quantities to a considerable quantity of terrain.

The resort is cut up into two areas—Canyons and Mountain Village—and restricted snowfall has led to selective closures. On the Canyons aspect, for instance, the easternmost terrain served by the Tremendous Condor Categorical stays closed, as do lower-elevation lifts reminiscent of City Carry and Eagle Carry, the place snow protection is minimal or nonexistent. Increased up, circumstances are way more encouraging. McConkey’s and Jupiter, two of the resort’s hottest high-alpine bowls, are totally open.

Ought to You Go?

Professional skiers seeking steep, tree-lined black diamond runs might come away disillusioned, as these areas sometimes require a a lot deeper snowpack. With a lot of the mountain sitting on a roughly 40-inch base, nevertheless, intermediate skiers are faring much better.

“My expectations have been low,” one traveler visiting from Tampa, Florida, instructed T+L. “It was all around the information, how they haven’t had snow in a month.” He added that when on the mountain, he was pleasantly stunned by how a lot terrain remained skiable. Over the previous few days, he spent a lot of his time within the Tombstone Categorical space, which serves a cluster of blue runs well-suited to intermediate skiers.

Others have been much less optimistic. “It’s not likely nice circumstances,” Stephanie, a neighborhood nurse who was snowboarding together with her good friend, instructed T+L. “However at the least the lifts are open.” With pure snowfall scarce, she famous, the resort has leaned closely on snowmaking, which produces a denser, grittier floor—removed from the sunshine, fluffy powder Utah is known for.

Recalibrating expectations is essential. Early February sometimes marked the candy spot of the ski season, when pristine circumstances and miles of wintery slopes are at their peak. This 12 months; nevertheless, the expertise feels markedly completely different. “That is principally like March or April circumstances,” she stated.

An surprising upside of this 12 months’s snow drought is the shortage of crowds. Carry strains are nearly nonexistent, and it is not unusual to have a chair to your self—an nearly unheard-of luxurious throughout Park Metropolis’s sometimes hectic winter season. On the slopes, there’s room to unfold out, carve extensive turns, and ski at your individual place. For vacationers looking for a quieter, extra relaxed mountain expertise, Park Metropolis is delivering that proper now.

The Forecast

For now, Park Metropolis is slogging via the again half of a dry, underwhelming winter. Nonetheless, optimism hasn’t solely melted away. “Two good storms and we’re again to having enjoyable,” John Kanaly, Vail Resorts’ communications supervisor, instructed T+L.

Reduction could also be on the horizon. Temperatures are anticipated to dip into the low 30s subsequent week, and forecasters are hinting at the opportunity of contemporary snow by Valentine’s Day. Whether or not it is sufficient to salvage the season stays to be seen—but when the storms do ship, the transformation may very well be on the spot.