La Ni?a Winter '24/'25: Ski Resorts in the Bullseye

La Ni?as, with their elusive promise of endless powder days, have taken on an almost mythical status amongst skiers.

You’ve probably heard a friend or two tell you, because of the prospective—but not guaranteed— that La Ni?a will deliver a bunch of snow next winter. Finance bros have the stock market. Free spirits have astrological signs. Skiers have the El Ni?o–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). We all need something to believe in.

As one end of the ENSO climatic pattern, La Ni?a occurs when ocean temperatures across the central and eastern tropical Pacific go cold. This pushes the Pacific jet stream north, shaking up winter weather outcomes. During a La Ni?a, the northern tier of the U.S., namely the Pacific Northwest, trends colder and stormier. An opposite pattern occurs in the south. La Ni?as are more of a toss-up in central states like Utah and Colorado.

To be clear: the La Ni?a and its ENSO cousin, the El Ni?o, don’t promise anything. Instead, they load the dice in one direction, increasing the odds of a few areas across North America receiving more snowfall than usual. With that caveat out of the way, these ski areas and resorts could see snowier winter weather should the fabled La Ni?a reappear this fall.

Ski Resorts That Could Benefit from La Ni?a During Winter '24/'25

Mt. Baker Ski Area, Washington

Situated in the North Cascades, Mt. Baker Ski Area claimed the national and world record for most yearly snowfall during the 1998-1999 ski season. Ninety five feet of snow fell that ski season (1,140 inches), and a La Ni?a was in effect. Outside of that historic ski season—which oscillated between euphoric and cataclysmic—Mt. Baker regularly receives some of the most snowfall in North America. While this snow is sometimes wetter and heavier than the cold smoke found elsewhere on the continent, “Cascade Concrete” makes you a better skier. And it builds character.

Mt. Hood Meadows, Oregon

As its name suggests, Mt. Hood Meadows stands on the flanks of Mt. Hood, providing killer views of the towering Oregonian peak. The terrain, too, is plenty satisfying, with rolling groomers, hidden glades, and some above tree line skiing serviced by the Cascade Express. Intrepid skiers can push the envelope and vertical feet further by hiking into the Super Bowl. The potential La Ni?a boost only sweetens the deal.

Fernie Alpine Resort, British Columbia

One of eight ski areas on the Powder Highway, Fernie Alpine Resort hits a few key marks. It has loads of varied terrain for every kind of skier, and, during an average season, sees 29 feet of snow. The resort’s Polar Peak Chair serves up the high alpine goods, but there’s plenty of action lower down, too. Here’s a taste.

Bridger Bowl Ski Area, Montana

Bridger Bowl is a skier’s mountain—flat out. The terrain can be challenging, and the locals are rowdy. The resort’s upper reaches are serviced by a chairlift called Schlasman’s and require an avalanche beacon. Here, you’ll find plenty of committing big mountain test pieces. If gnarly skiing without the frills is what you’re after, Bridger’s the place to be. Still, beginners will find plenty to cut their edges on in lower mountain areas.

Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho

Earlier this summer, Schweitzer excitedly posted on social media about the possibility of a La Ni?a. As I already noted, getting stoked this far in advance is a bit risky. But NOAA’s current seasonal outlooks do look encouraging for Schweitzer skiers. Plus, Schweitzer recently unveiled a new high-speed quad in its base area designed to reimagine the skier arrival experience, the Creekside Express. While that might be less exciting than a new upper mountain chair, crowd management is vital when the flakes really start flying.

Stevens Pass, Washington

To wrap things up, we return to Washington. Stevens Pass is a Seattle-area staple that tends to benefit when the La Ni?a comes to town. After skiing there, the appeal’s pretty obvious. For the more adventurous skiers, Big Chief Bowl and Court’s Meadow boast interesting, technical lines provided you’re not afraid of some billy-goating (portions of these zones are designated “no easy way down” for a reason). The 7th Heaven lift is a must-visit for expert skiers, too. Plenty of groomers cover the other side of the coin, and the resort’s terrain parks are regularly firing. But I’m not sure you’d want to spend too much time hitting rails and jumps if this La Ni?a business pans out.

Related: Farmers' Almanac Predicting "Crisp" Fall 2024

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