I do recommend a day at Sunshine, as it should hold better snow as its base elevation is higher. With that, yes, LL has plenty to explore for sure! We barely scratched the surface due to poor visibility, which I don't tolerate well anymore.
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so, where is the snow?
- Thread starter sorcamc
- Start date
I'm checking this article every so often since the list is being updated as more announcements about closing dates are coming out. The list is broken up by state, all in the west. Won't be many places open after today, March 22.
First posted March 19, 2026
unofficialnetworks.com
First posted March 19, 2026
A List Of All The Western U.S. Ski Resorts Closing Earlier Than Expected
Various ski resorts across the Western U.S. are closing earlier than expected due to above-average temperatures and a lack of snow.
unofficialnetworks.com
We leave for Banff on Wednesday and will be there through April 3rd. Staying in Canmore though and splitting our time bw Sunshine and Lake Louise. It is our first time there in Winter(like you, I have been in the summer) and looks like conditions will be pretty good if not great based on recent forecast.
GladeDuchess
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Yep, got several inches of fabulous powder at Saddleback today. (Sunday).........and got in exactly one run before wind holds shut everything down. : (
I must say though, some wind hold days I'm like "come on, really?" Today we couldn't even walk up the mountain a bit to do side slip drills without feeling like I was going to get knocked over. @GirlfriendJustGo did get knocked over! lol.
Not here to say it was a dreadful day though. : )
MissySki
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Oh no, that stinks!! It was such an amazing day yesterday at Sunday River. A little wind at the top of lifts, but thankfully nothing to create any lift holds. My legs are so tired, it was refills all day and one of those days that just kept getting better on every run so you didn't want to stop. I skied until 3pm and then gave up because I was about to fall over as well.
Hope you get to enjoy the new snow this week!
Beckster
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Just got home from 4 days in the backcountry at the Rotondohütte (2600m). It had snowed 1.5 meters a few days before our departure so we skied some lower profile areas the first 2 days and we never needed our crampons to reach the peaks as the snow was well adhered to the icy rocks. Oh but day 3 avalanche conditions allowed us the best day to the Pizzo Lucendo.
I’ll attach a photo so you can see our ski tracks beginning from the saddle left of the peak. The final approach to the peak was from that saddle through a sunny back side bowl and then a bit of a narrow climb. Then our Bergführer had the nose to get us on every dreamy powder line back into the valley. You can see I’m just a tiny spec skiing down in the 2nd photo.
We‘re expecting a bunch more snow again this week so it’s looking good here for a spring season in the Oberland and Saanenland.
I’ll attach a photo so you can see our ski tracks beginning from the saddle left of the peak. The final approach to the peak was from that saddle through a sunny back side bowl and then a bit of a narrow climb. Then our Bergführer had the nose to get us on every dreamy powder line back into the valley. You can see I’m just a tiny spec skiing down in the 2nd photo.
We‘re expecting a bunch more snow again this week so it’s looking good here for a spring season in the Oberland and Saanenland.
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mustski
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
The snow was very good when we were in Banff for the gathering. I did not get to ski Sunshine on a good visibility day so can’t say much about it for that reason. I really liked Lake Louise- lots of varied terrain and plenty to keep you interested over multiple days. My biggest beef was that we stayed in Banff (which we loved) but it was 40 minutes either way to the slopes. A 40 minute drive to LL and 20 minute drive to Sunshine followed by a 20 minute gondola ride. We do that from Reno so I am used to it. I just don’t want that on vacation. I would move hotels and stay slopeside at Sunshine and stay in Lake Louise Village for LL. The shuttles worked well and were fine for a couple of days but got old as the week progressed
Banff - Hallmark Christmas movie worthy!
Banff in a clear day to illustrate the difference in visibility!
Lake Louise
Banff - Hallmark Christmas movie worthy!
Banff in a clear day to illustrate the difference in visibility!
Lake Louise
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MotherDuck
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Today is Alpine Meadows' last day of the season. According to UnofficialAlpine, this is the shortest season of AM. People in the know suggested that Palisades is to close on 4/19. Those who still have days left in their ski leases started to plan for water activities like SUP and kayaking already.
This is definitely a historical year.
This is definitely a historical year.
Zard
Certified Ski Diva
I also did Banff last week, snow was deep, with refresh all week. Didn’t get a chance to meet up with the SkiTalk group because I was with 7 women. As opposed to @mustski we spent most of the time at Sunshine due to the wind at lake Louise. If I go back, I’d book a night at the Fairmont hotel just so I can see the lake and hike around it, and spend more time at LL.
I did enjoy being in Banff in order to shop, use the IGA market and restaurant/happy hour scene. I recommend happy hour at the boots and dinner at the distillery!
Stayed at the Mount Royal which was perfectly situated in the middle of town, nice rooms, hot tub and had a shuttle pick up right behind.
I did enjoy being in Banff in order to shop, use the IGA market and restaurant/happy hour scene. I recommend happy hour at the boots and dinner at the distillery!
Stayed at the Mount Royal which was perfectly situated in the middle of town, nice rooms, hot tub and had a shuttle pick up right behind.
Fair to say that there is much less snow than usual for late March around Tahoe.
March 26, 2026
March 26, 2026
Christy
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I typically don't want to "commute" on a ski trip either since I also have to commute to a mountain here at home, and that's not my ideal ski trip. I found I didn't mind the drive from Banff to LL at all, though, and I suspect it's because it was so beautiful and quiet. Typically after skiing on the way back I would make scenic detours or stop at pull-outs. I saw or herd of bighorn sheep that way. But I think @mustski you are saying you did the shuttle all week. I think that would have gotten old for me too.
That's for sure..... am tentatively planning on going to Heavenly after Easter for a couple of days. Unfortunately, the gondola is open for sightseeing only, so that means a shuttle to the CA side. The upper mountain (albeit not much open) is in pretty good shape.... and some snow is expected this week.
It's quite sad as March is usually a great month for snow. Last year mid-late March I was at Heavenly for 8 days and it never stopped snowing.
MotherDuck
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
…so is rain. Heavenly is one of my favorite Tahoe resorts but I haven’t been to there this season. People suggested use the link below to check its weather forecast as it shows conditions at different elevations.
Heavenly Mountain Resort Weather Forecast (3068m)
Heavenly Mountain Resort, Carson Range, Sierra Nevada, United States Mountain weather forecast for 3068m. Detailed 6 day mountain weather forecast for climbers and mountaineers.
www.mountain-forecast.com
Another factor worth mentioning is the crowds. With many resorts closing early and reduced open area, it will be a very different experience from prior spring ski.
Oh yeah, rain is always a factor. This wouldn't be a full on ski trip, just a trip to the Sierras, get a little time on the snow with BF. I have a timeshare there so not a big deal. But, it will be spring break for many schools so there's that....
I'm thinking I'll head up to Summit later this week. There's some snow in the forecast and honestly this might be my last chance to get out this season, which is nuts. I can't go the following weekend and barring some sort of snow miracle (which isn't in the forecast) I'm not sure many places will still be open once we get into late April. A LOT melted with the warm temps over the last few weeks and I'm very also just very curious to see the situation up there first hand.
I knew Northstar was closing Sunday, April 5, but the big surprise I saw today was that Heavenly is now closing Sunday, April 5 as well instead of April 19. Looks like I’m likely to go to Kirkwood instead.
