Ski towns are already talking weeks before the first snowflake falls. In coffee shops and group chats, skiers keep asking the same question. Is this finally the big one?
Forecasters say the odds favor one of the strongest El Niño winters in decades. If you love chasing powder, that’s a forecast worth watching.
It’s not just talk, either. Ski resorts are already locking in opening dates for next season, a sign the industry is taking this forecast seriously.
Skiers are already checking snow reports and eyeing which resort to hit first this year.
Here’s What the Forecast Actually Says
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration puts the odds of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter at more than 90%. Its August outlook goes even further, giving a 69% chance this could be the strongest El Niño on record.
That doesn’t guarantee snow everywhere. But it’s exactly the kind of signal that gets resorts investing early in snowmaking, and it’s why so many skiers are paying attention this early.
Resorts Are Already Setting Their Opening Dates
Vail Resorts just released its opening dates for the 2026-27 season. The earliest lifts should spin in Colorado in October, with more resorts following through early December:
- Keystone, CO: as soon as possible in October
- Breckenridge, CO: Nov. 6
- Vail Mountain, CO: Nov. 13
- Whistler Blackcomb, BC: Nov. 20
- Park City Mountain, UT: Nov. 20
- Heavenly, CA: Nov. 20
- Northstar, CA: Nov. 20
- Beaver Creek, CO: Nov. 25
- Crested Butte, CO: Nov. 25
- Kirkwood, CA: Dec. 4
- Stevens Pass, WA: Dec. 4
More dates are coming in the next few months. Resorts say plans could still change depending on the weather.
Vail says it’s ramping up snowmaking again this year to make the most of whatever the season brings.
Nobody can promise powder days months out. But this is about as good a sign as ski season gets.
If you’ve been eyeing a resort for years, this might be your winter. Keep an eye on the forecast this fall. If the numbers hold, you’re in for something special.