A Very Deep Christmas: The 6 US Resorts Leading the Snowfall Race
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The holiday season is officially upon us, and while Santa is checking his list, the snow gods have been checking the charts. After a rough start to the 2025-26 season for much of the western US, several resorts are sitting on double-digit snow depths that have turned early-season jitters into full-blown powder panic.
From the "Jay Cloud" in Vermont to the legendary maritime storms of the Cascades, these six resorts are currently the deep-snow kings of the United States.
1. Jay Peak Resort, Vermont: 194"
The East Coast is currently schooling the West. Jay Peak is having its best start in over 25 years, smashing the 100-inch mark on Thanksgiving and sitting at a staggering 194 inches of season snowfall as of mid-December. The mountain is effectively skiable top to bottom, proving once again that the Jay Cloud is no myth.
2. Alyeska Resort, Alaska: 150"
Alaska remains the proverbial king of snowfall. Following a record-breaking previous season, Alyeska has maintained a relentless pace, tallying 150 inches of snow. With Arctic temperatures and heavy precipitation burying the panhandle, the Chugach are primed for a legendary Christmas.
3. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming: 118"
After a slow start, December delivered a massive turnaround for the Tetons. Jackson Hole recently recorded nearly eight feet of snow in a three-week window, pushing its season total to 118 inches. The timing couldn’t be better: the iconic Aerial Tram just opened for the season to celebrate the resort’s 60th anniversary, making Jackson Hole one of the few resorts in the U.S. currently skiing top to bottom.
4. Smugglers' Notch, Vermont: 117"
Continuing the Vermont dominance, "Smuggs" has officially surpassed the 117-inch mark for the season. The resort has benefited from consistent cold temperatures that have kept the historic early-season snowpack in pristine condition.
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5. Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont: 110"
Rounding out the list is Stowe, where Mount Mansfield recently set a new record by hitting a 50-inch snow depth earlier than ever before in its recorded history. With a current season total of 110 inches, the legendary Front Four are looking more like mid-winter than early season.
Possible: Mt. Baker, Washington: 121"
After flooding forced the closure of Highway 542, Mt. Baker Ski Area is aiming to reopen the road as early as tomorrow, with plans for a passholders-only day followed by a public opening on December 21. The Cascades are currently under multiple blizzard warnings, with Mt. Baker expected to receive 2 feet of snow. The resort is sitting at 121 inches for the season. Just keep an eye on the road reports—the only thing standing between you and the deep is the plow.
Dropping Into a Record-Breaking Holiday
Whether you’re chasing the legendary “Jay Cloud” in the Northeast or navigating the deep, maritime snowpack of the Pacific Northwest, this holiday season is a reminder that snow is falling—but not everywhere. With much of the U.S. sitting below average snowpack, these six resorts stand out as places where conditions have aligned in a big way. If there’s any season to stay flexible and travel for snow, this is it. Keep an eye on the forecast, keep your kit dialed, and be ready to move when the window opens.
