El Nino/La Nina Defined and Ski Areas Favored by El Nino (as of 2026)
The 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons were close to neutral, but since April 2026 there has been much media hype of an upcoming strong El Nino. The whole point of El Nino as a weather predictor is that it tends to be stable from about August to February. Since the northern spring is when El Nino … Continue reading El Nino/La Nina Defined and Ski Areas Favored by El Nino (as of 2026)
2025-26 Ski Season Summary
The following major weather patterns affected the 2025-26 ski season. Late October to mid-November: There was moderate snowfall in northern regions but zero south of Oregon/Wyoming. Second half of November: One isolated storm tracked from California into the Southwest but was mostly rain at low elevations. First week of December: This was the only early … Continue reading 2025-26 Ski Season Summary
2025-26 Ski Season Analysis as of May 23, 2026
2025-26 was the second worst overall North America season on record to 1976-77, and the worst in northern and central Colorado. The primary feature was excessively warm weather. Many storms had high rain/snow lines and the entire U.S. West suffered a record heat wave the last 3 weeks of March. Western Canada and the Northeast … Continue reading 2025-26 Ski Season Analysis as of May 23, 2026
Welcome!
FirstTracksOnline was founded in 1994 by Marc Guido, who grew up in New England and patrolled at Jay Peak for many years. In 2005 he moved to the skier’s Promised Land of Utah, where he enjoys his Alta season pass (picture above). Tony Crocker, based in Glendale, California, wrote the October 1995 Powder Magazine cover … Continue reading Welcome!
2025-26 Ski Season Progress Report as of April 11, 2026
During the first week of March there were scattered but locally intense storms in areas as far south as northern Utah and Colorado. During the second week of March a major dump hit Washington State with moderate snowfalls in nearby regions, but was followed up the next week with rain to high elevations. During the … Continue reading 2025-26 Ski Season Progress Report as of April 11, 2026
2025-26 Ski Season Progress Report as of March 31, 2026
During the first week of March there were scattered but locally intense storms in areas as far south as northern Utah and Colorado. During the second week of March a major dump hit Washington State with moderate snowfalls in nearby regions, but was followed up the next week with rain to high elevstions. During the … Continue reading 2025-26 Ski Season Progress Report as of March 31, 2026
2025-26 Ski Season Progress Report as of March 15, 2026
After modest snowfalls in most regions averaging a foot during the second week of February, western conditions were the worst in at least 40 years. The third week of February was the snowiest of the season, with all regions getting some snow and major dumps in California and Utah. Unfortunately the last week of February … Continue reading 2025-26 Ski Season Progress Report as of March 15, 2026
2025-26 Ski Season Progress Report as of February 28, 2026
After modest snowfalls in most regions averaging a foot during the second week of February, western conditions were the worst in at least 40 years. The third week of February was the snowiest of the season, with all regions getting some snow and major dumps in California and Utah. Unfortunately the last week of February … Continue reading 2025-26 Ski Season Progress Report as of February 28, 2026