As the 2025-2026 ski season approaches, we thought it would be fun to look back and reminisce on some of the more impressive winters the West has enjoyed over the past few decades.

After much research, we've come up with a list of what we believe are the top 10 deepest winters in the West since 1980.

Methodology

Here are some of the loose criteria we used to come up with our top ten list.

• Focus on the Western U.S. and Southern Canada – We examined snowfall and snowpack data across this region, where weather patterns are most similar. We did not examine Alaska, as weather patterns and winter seasons vary substantially in Alaska versus the contiguous Western U.S.
  
  
• Focus on seasons with heavy snowfall (relative to average) across large portions of the West – There are many past winters that were deep in some parts of the West and dry in others. We prioritized winters where a majority of the major ski regions of the West had big winters.
  
  
• Focus on seasons with ski resorts that experienced record or near-record (top 5) winters. 
  
  
• Focus on consistency of snowfall, including strong starts to the season.
  
  
• Secondary focus on temperature, with priority given to winters with near to below average temperatures (better snow quality) across large portions of the West, in addition to abundant snowfall.

Snowfall and Snowpack Data

The greatest challenge is finding reliable historical snowfall data, which is less available than you might expect.

There are a number of ski resorts with long periods of season snowfall records, and we certainly utilized this data. 

In other instances, we identified press releases, articles, etc., which contained season snowfall records at various ski resorts.

Also, we evaluated snow-water-equivalent (the amount of water contained in the snowpack) at Snotel locations as a measure of snowpack relative to average for the West as a whole. 

Some Snotel locations are located within ski resorts, so we used this data to evaluate how "deep" the snowpack was on April 1st relative to average, and to past years.

In the maps we display for each season, you'll notice that for some areas, we use the wording "deepest season" instead of "snowiest season". This is used for areas where snowpack (snow water equivalent) data is available, but actual snowfall numbers are not available.

And finally, please note that many ski resorts do not have past snowfall data, so if you don't see your favorite resort mentioned anywhere, that is why.

In particular, past-season snowfall data is lacking across the Southwest, and to a lesser extent, the Northern Rockies and the Interior of Canada. But we still examined Snotel data in these regions to factor into the overall rankings.

Why Only Winters Since 1980?

The availability of snowfall and snowpack data at or near ski resorts is extremely limited prior to 1980. While there were certainly some amazing winters back in the day, it was too difficult to compare pre-1980 winters to post-1980 winters due to the lack of data. 

The Top 10 Deepest Winters

Now that we have all of the background info out of the way, let's dive into the list of the top 10 deepest winters...

10) Winter of 1994-1995

This moderate El Niño winter was above-average across most of the West, near-average in the Pacific Northwest, and a bit below-average in Northern and Central Montana. Snowpack in the Southwest and the Sierra was over 150% of average on April 1st.

Consistent with other El Niño winters, this was a mild winter temperature-wise (above average in most areas) despite the abundance of snowfall.

This winter also started out relatively slow in most areas in December and January before cranking up in February and March, resulting in a strong second half of the season.

Alta had its third snowiest season on record with 746 inches, while Wolf Creek also notched a top 5 deepest winter based on Snotel data.

Here are some of the notable snowfall totals from 1994-1995:

• 746" - Alta
• 598" - Central Sierra Snow Lab
• 540" - Mammoth
• 510" - Loveland

9) Winter of 2005-2006

This weak La Niña winter was above average across most of the West, while the Southwest, including New Mexico and Southern Colorado, was below average. Snowpack in California, Oregon, Nevada, and the Wasatch in Utah was over 150% of average on April 1st. 

This winter did not feature many "extreme" snowfall values, but it was just a really solid winter across most of the West with colder-than-average temperatures and consistent snowfall. 

At least one all-time snowfall record was set at Red Mountain in British Columbia with 307 inches, although there is a caveat that records here only date back to 2004. 

Here are some of the notable snowfall totals from 2005-2006:

• 579" - Mammoth
• 507" - Jackson Hole
• 432" - Steamboat
• 307" - Red Mountain (*record*)

8) Winter of 1996-1997

This ENSO-Neutral winter was above-average across most of the West, though there were some pockets of below-average snowfall over Northern California. Snowpack was over 150% of average across portions of the Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Southwest on April 1st.

This winter featured the deepest April 1st snowpack on record at Snotel sites at Stevens Pass, Lookout Pass, and Big Sky, while many other locations in the Northwest and the Central Rockies experienced top 5 winters.

Snowfall was heavy and consistent throughout the season in the Northwest, while over the Central Rockies, the season started out strong in December-January before slowing down later in the season in February-March.

Temperatures were also colder than average across the Northwest and the Rockies, while California and Nevada were warmer than average.

Here are some of the notable snowfall totals from 1996-1997:

• 577" - Jackson Hole
• 539" - Loveland
• 448" - Steamboat

7) Winter of 2016-2017

This weak La Niña winter was above-average across a large portion of the Western U.S. and near-average over the Eastern Rockies and across portions of the Pacific Northwest. Snowpack was over 150% of average in California and over portions of the Central Rockies.

This was one of the deepest winters on record in Tahoe, and Mt. Rose set its all-time snowfall record with an impressive 768 inches. All-time snowfall records were also set at Revelstoke (491 inches) and Sun Valley (318 inches), and many other areas in the West had top-5 seasons.

The Sierra and the Rockies had a strong early to mid-season with consistent snowfall through February, before tapering off somewhat late in the season. The Pacific Northwest, on the other hand, had a slower start to the season but a stronger finish in February and March.

Temperatures were a mixed bag, with colder-than-average temperatures across the Northwest, warmer-than-average temperatures over the Southern and Central Rockies, and near-average temperatures over the Sierra.

Here are some of the notable snowfall totals from 2016-2017:

• 866" - Mt. Baker
• 795" - Sugar Bowl
• 768" - Mt. Rose (*record*)
• 707" - Palisades Tahoe
• 618" - Mammoth
• 585" - Jackson Hole
• 515" - Whistler
• 491" - Revelstoke (record)
• 484" - Deer Valley
• 318" - Sun Valley (record)

6) Winter of 2007-2008

This strong La Niña winter was above-average across virtually the entire West. Snowpack was over 150% of average across Oregon, Southern Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona on April 1st.

This was another all-around solid winter across the entire West with colder-than-average temperatures and consistent snowfall, though snowfall was heaviest early to mid-season in December and January, before slowing down somewhat in February and March.

Numerous all-time snowfall records were set across the Central Rockies, including 605 inches at Jackson Hole, 550 inches at Silverton, 489 inches at Steamboat, and 426 inches at Whitefish.

You could make an argument that this winter deserves to be higher on the list, and we certainly considered it, but we ended up not ranking it quite as high due to a relative lack of extreme snowfall values compared to other winters.

Here are some of the notable snowfall totals from 2007-2008:

• 702" - Alta
• 605" - Jackson Hole (*record*)
• 550" - Silverton (*record*)
• 489" - Steamboat (*record*)
• 450" - Snowmass (*record*)
• 430" - Beaver Creek (*record*)
• 426" - Whitefish (*record*)
• 418" - Crested Butte (*record*)

5) Winter of 1998-1999

This strong La Niña winter was the toughest winter to rank, as it featured record snow across the Pacific Northwest, including a world record, while the Central Rockies and Southwest, including the major ski regions of Utah and Colorado, experienced a poor winter with well below average snow.

The clear highlight of this winter was Mt. Baker, which received an incredible 1,140 inches of snow. As of 2025, this still stands as the world record for the most snowfall recorded in a season at a single location.

All-time snowfall records were also set at Whistler, which received 643 inches, and Brundage, which received 430 inches.

Timberline Lodge in Oregon also recorded its deepest snowpack on record, and numerous other locations in the Northwest had top 5 winters. Snowfall was consistent across the Northwest all season long, and temperatures were also below-average.

The Sierra managed to have a good season as well, though snowfall amounts were less extreme.

This season may very well have ended up near the top of our list if it weren't for the fact that Utah, Colorado, and the Southwest had such a warm and dry winter.

Here are some of the notable snowfall totals from 1998-1999:

• 1,140" - Mt. Baker (*world record*)
• 643" - Whistler (*record*)
• 606" - Mt. Bachelor
• 592" - Crystal Mountain
• 552" - Jackson Hole
• 430" - Brundage (*record*)
• 412" - Schweitzer

4) Winter of 1982-1983

This strong El Niño winter was above-average across nearly the entire West except for some pockets of near to below-average snowpack in Montana. Snowpack was over 200% of average across much of California and Nevada, and over 175% of average across portions of Utah.

In fact, the overall average snowpack across all of the major ski regions of the West combined was the second deepest of any winter on this list.

There are not as many publicly available snowfall stats from the early 1980s compared to more recent years, but the ones that are available are very impressive.

This includes Sugar Bowl in California, which received 880 inches of snow, which still stands as its all-time snowfall record. Several other locations across the West had top 5 winters as well.

Snowfall was consistent throughout the season across most of the West, with a strong start and a strong finish. Temperatures were a mixed bag, however, with below-average temperatures across the Southwest and above-average temperatures across the Northwest. 

Here are some of the notable snowfall totals from 1982-1983:

• 880" - Sugar Bowl (*record*)
• 700" - Kirkwood
• 671" - Central Sierra Snow Lab
• 557" - Loveland
• 546" - Mammoth

3) Winter of 1981-1982

This ENSO Neutral winter was above average across virtually the entire West, and snowpack was over 150% of average across a large chunk of the West on April 1st.

This was the gold standard winter for a long time across the West until the more recent top 2 winters on this list. Some areas had all-time snowfall records set in 1981-1982 that were not broken for a long time.

As of this writing, there are no currently active snowfall records during this season that we were able to find, though it's certainly possible, if not likely, that there are still some out there from this season that just aren't readily available.

This season started out strong in December, and snowfall was consistent throughout the season. Temperatures were also below-average throughout the West.

Here are some of the notable snowfall totals from 1981-1982:

• 819" - Mt. Baker
• 748" - Alta
• 624" - Central Sierra Snow Lab
• 522" - Jackson Hole
• 503" - Mammoth
• 495" - Whistler
• 475" - Snowbasin
• 384" - Steamboat

2) Winter of 2010-2011

This strong La Niña winter was above-average across most of the West, except for New Mexico, where snowpack was below average. Snowpack was over 150% of average across California, Nevada, and Utah.

This was a huge winter covering a large area, with many areas spread out across the West experiencing a top 3 season. All-time records that were set include 606 inches at Mt. Bachelor, 600 inches at Crystal Mountain, and 595 inches at Loveland.

Snowfall was abundant throughout the season, with storms favoring nearly all major ski regions except for New Mexico. While snowfall was plentiful all season long, the beginning of the season in December and the end of the season in March featured some of the heaviest and most consistent snowfall.

Temperatures were also below average across most of the West, and near average across the Southwest.

Here are some of the notable snowfall totals from 2010-2011:

• 857" - Mt. Baker
• 783" - Snowbird
• 669" - Mammoth
• 643" - Central Sierra Snow Lab
• 622" - Whistler
• 606" - Mt. Bachelor (*record*)
• 600" - Crystal Mountain (*record*)
• 595" - Loveland (*record*)
• 557" - Jackson Hole
• 488" - Revelstoke
• 433" - Steamboat

1) Winter of 2022-2023

We tried our best to avoid recency bias and to NOT select this winter as number one. But after examining the data closely, we realized that sometimes the obvious choice is the correct choice.

This weak La Niña winter was above average across a large portion of the West, but near average from Washington to Northern Idaho and below average from Northern Montana into Canada, which gave us some pause to put this at the top of the list.

However, despite these mentioned exceptions, a majority of the West was above average during this season, and snowpack values from California to Utah were nothing short of extreme, ranging from 200 to 300% of average on April 1st.

The snowfall numbers from this season were just ridiculous, and they encompassed a large area extending from the Sierra to the Rockies.

Alta shattered its all-time snowfall record with 903 inches, which is also the deepest total ever recorded in the Rockies. Brighton was not far behind with 861 inches, and even Park City set an all-time record with 628 inches.

In the Sierra Nevada Range, numerous all-time records were also set, including 710 inches at Palisades Tahoe and 708 inches at Kirkwood. Mammoth also shattered its all-time records with 715 inches recorded at its base lodge and 870 inches recorded at the summit.

Further east, Jackson Hole and Steamboat recorded their second snowiest winters.

This was a monster winter for most of the West, with frequent storms starting in November and December, giving way to consistent snowfall throughout the season into March and April. Temperatures were also colder-than-average throughout the West, ensuring good snow quality.

Here are some of the notable snowfall totals from 2022-2023:

• 903" - Alta (*record*)
• 870" - Mammoth summit (*record*)
• 861" - Brighton (*record*)
• 797" - Sugar Bowl
• 754" - Central Sierra Snow Lab
• 715" - Mammoth base (*record*)
• 710" - Palisades Tahoe (*record*)
• 708" - Kirkwood (*record*)
• 628" - Park City (*record*)
• 595" - Jackson Hole
• 448" - Steamboat

To summarize, here is our list of the top 10 deepest winters in the West since 1980:

1. 2022-2023
2. 2010-2011
3. 1981-1982
4. 1982-1983
5. 1998-1999
6. 2007-2008
7. 2016-2017
8. 1996-1997
9. 2005-2006
10. 1994-1995

Honorable Mention

Here are a few other strong winters that we considered, but didn't quite "make the cut" into our top 10 list:

• 1983-1984
• 1984-1985
• 1995-1996
• 2018-2019

Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this article and were able to reminisce about some of these past epic seasons.

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Alan Smith