Salt Lake City, Utah, typically a premier destination for world-class skiing, is currently experiencing its least snowy winter on record. According to Matthew Johnson, a Salt Lake City-based meteorologist, the disparity is staggering . While the average snowfall for this point in the winter is 28.2 inches, a measly 0.1 inches has fallen in Salt Lake City.
The primary culprit of this less-than-stellar snowfall this winter is the unseasonably warm temperatures. Salt Lake City has experienced its warmest November and December on record. This January is also on track to be the 7th warmest on record. This concerning pattern is directly impacting the tourism and outdoor recreation industries synonymous with the region.
While Salt Lake City is hurting, the surrounding ski resorts are not faring much better.Park City Mountain, just a short 30-mile drive outside of the city, is also feeling the effects of the low snowfall. With just 83 inches of snow falling this season and a 41-inch base depth, Park City has yet to open 100% of its terrain this year. But Park City is not alone in this struggle; other major resorts are also navigating the challenges of this La Niña winter.
Brighton Resort is in a similar situation, having received just 67 inches of snowfall but retaining 67 inches of base depth.Deer Valley Ski Resort, the luxurious skier-only resort, is similarly hurting with only 85 inches of snowfall and a paltry 30-inch base depth. While other resorts, such as Alta Ski Area, Snowbird, and Solitude Mountain Resort, have eclipsed the 100-inch mark, they are still well below their averages…