Warm November delays ski season

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s ski resorts are pushing back opening dates as warm temperatures delay winter storms.

After expected storms were delayed, Solitude Mountain Resort has pushed their opening day to Nov. 16 instead of the original date, Nov. 14.

Brian Head Resort had to push their opening date back two weeks from Nov. 7 to Nov. 21.

Usually first to open, Brighton Resort has yet to announce an opening day. It’s just been too warm to get the resort’s snowmaking machines running.

“So far in November we’ve been warmer and drier than we normally see, which is kind of a contrast to the very wet October we had,” said National Weather Service Senior Meteorologist Monica Traphagen. “We’ve been under the influence of high pressure, which is bringing, dry, stable, and pretty mild conditions.”

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Things might be changing though starting this weekend. Traphagen said there is a chance of precipitation Friday, but most of the storm will roll in on Sunday.

“It looks like southern Utah will probably do better than northern Utah, but there is a chance of snow for all the mountains of Utah,” Traphagen said. 

Although there might not be a large amount coming in, Traphagen said it’s a start.

“It’s hard for me to say, you know, precisely how much we’ll see, if it’ll be significant, and, you know, how much it would help these resorts get to their openings,” Traphagen said. “But we are looking at a change in the pattern.”

Looking forward into the season, Traphagen said it currently looks warmer than normal.

“It looks like with regard to precipitation across Utah, we’ve got about equal chances of seeing above average or below average,” Traphagen said. “So, not really a strong signal either way.”

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