The storm already underway across most of the state keeps snow going through today, then winds down overnight and early Wednesday. The guidance is well clustered on that timing and on snow levels holding between 6,500 and 8,500 feet while it is snowing.
The Black Lantern Inn was a familiar place where I ate with my kids, sometimes once a week. My room was well beyond my expectations for a last-minute booking: a king-sized bed, separate living area, jacuzzi bath, and many thoughtful details, including several back issues of Skiing History Magazine to flip through.
Both avid and casual skiers know that winter requires preparation. If you want to ski as many days as possible, you must have a game plan. After all, skiing is an expensive sport, so budget is typically one of the top considerations. But before you book flights, hotels, and lift tickets, or decide if you want to invest in an Epic Pass or Ikon Pass, you'll need to identify which ski resorts you want to explore over the course of a few months.
California's ski season was largely dry and warm, with only 18% of average snowpack by April 1, marking the second-lowest on record. Despite some quality skiing opportunities around Christmas and early January, the overall season remained disappointing.
The 2025-26 winter saw extreme weather, with the eastern half experiencing consistent cold and heavy snowfall, while the western half endured record warmth and a lack of snowfall.
Winter can be an ideal time to explore America's open roads. Cruising through a landscape blanketed with a fresh coat of snow is a dreamy way to travel during what, for many destinations, is the off-season. The fact that winter usually sees fewer tourists on the road is a bonus. Of course, winter driving comes with its own set of precautions.
Running between New York City and Pittsburgh, Amtrak's Pennsylvanian route shows travelers a side of Pennsylvania most who fly or drive miss. Passengers aboard the train weave past rivers, tree-lined hills, Amish Country, and historic rail towns that rarely get the spotlight. It's less about getting somewhere fast and more about watching the landscape change mile by mile, from urban neighborhoods to the rolling Allegheny Mountains, without ever leaving the seat.
When the numbers were added up, the Green Mountain State took the crown with a score of 9.49 out of a possible ten. With an average of 81.2 inches of snowfall annually, Vermont's precipitation was bested by only two other states in the top ten-Wyoming with 91.4 inches and New York with an impressive 123.8 inches. Temperatures from December through February hover around a frosty 19.4 degrees, perfect for maintaining snow accumulation on trails throughout the season.
For Colorado skiers and snowboarders, the 2026/2027 Ikon Base Pass now provides unlimited access to Arapahoe Basin in addition to 5 days of skiing or snowboarding at Snowmass. Plus, Ikon Pass holders will no longer be required to make reservations at the four mountains of Aspen Snowmass.
Mt. Baker is the PNW's snow vacuum. It's close enough to the Pacific to get storm after storm, and the North Cascades do what they do best: force moist air straight up, wring it out, and bury everything in sight. Maritime storms roll in wet and heavy, then pile up fast when they hit terrain.
The True West Pass is a limited-availability, premium daily add-on—similar to First Tracks—that provides valet parking, dedicated line access at select lifts, a concierge service and a lounge experience. Availability is capped, with users expected to represent less than 0.5% of lift capacity on peak days at lifts offering priority lanes.
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