A freak weather event is about to transform ski season across the United States, and the lucky resorts are bracing for something nobody was expecting.
If you’ve been on the fence about booking a ski trip this winter, this forecast might be the nudge you needed.
What’s Driving the Snow
A “potentially historic, super El Niño” is shaping up to be the defining weather story of the 2026-2027 ski season, according to OpenSnow, the weather forecasting platform that skiers and resorts rely on for early-season planning.
The phenomenon works by energizing what forecasters call an active southern storm track, which pushes above-normal precipitation across a wide swath of the country.
The West Coast, the Southwest, the Southern Plains, the Southeast, and even parts of the East Coast are all in line for a snowier-than-average winter.
The catch is that not every resort sits in the sweet spot. Where you book matters enormously this year.
Colorado: Southern Resorts Win Big
Colorado is a tale of two halves. Above-normal snowfall totals are predicted for both the southern and eastern parts of the state, putting resorts like Telluride and Winter Park in a strong position heading into the season.
The story is less clear for the northern and central corridors. Popular spots like Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen don’t have the same favorable outlook, which is worth knowing before you commit to a trip.
Alan Smith, meteorologist at OpenSnow, put it simply: timing matters. Booking a trip seven to ten days in advance, targeting a region that looks stormy in the near-term forecast, is the best strategy for catching prime conditions regardless of which resort you choose.
Utah: Park City Is the One to Watch
Utah is looking exceptionally good across the board, with above-average snowfall expected statewide and across northern Utah in particular.
Park City stands out as the headline pick. Smith noted it has “one of the strongest correlations with above-normal snowfall during the strongest El Niño events,” making it one of the most statistically reliable bets of the season for powder seekers.
California and Nevada: Big Snow, With a Caveat
The Central Sierra is forecast to see above-normal snow conditions, and Mammoth Mountain is poised to benefit significantly from the strongest signals in the forecast.
Strong El Niño years in California do come with a complication worth understanding. The same atmospheric patterns that bring major snow events can also produce warm atmospheric rivers, which push rain and higher snow levels into the mountains.
The powder days will come, but so will some mixed conditions. Flexibility in travel dates will be an advantage.
Where to Temper Expectations
Not every corner of the country is getting the same favorable outlook. New England, New York, Montana, and Washington state are all predicted to see below-normal snowfall totals this winter.
Strong El Niño winters on the East Coast typically bring above-normal temperatures alongside the reduced snow, a combination that makes for unreliable conditions at resorts across the region.
The Pacific Northwest faces similar challenges, with warm temperatures associated with the phenomenon affecting snowfall across the board.
For anyone set on skiing in Washington or New England, Smith’s advice is to target January, when conditions historically improve under this pattern.
What About Canada?
Skiers looking north won’t find much relief. Resorts in both British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies are expected to have a below-average season.
Smith acknowledged there are occasional years that go against the trend and bring near to above-average snowfall to parts of the region, but the overall outlook is cautious.
How to Book Smart This Season
The variability built into an El Niño winter means rigid trip planning carries more risk than usual. The resorts in the southern Sierra, southern Colorado, and Utah have the strongest fundamentals for the season, but conditions can shift week to week.
Watching short-range forecasts and keeping some flexibility in your booking is the single most practical move you can make this winter, whether you’re chasing a powder day at Mammoth or lining up a long weekend at Park City.