Warm Spell Pushes Back Utah Openings—A Look at the New Dates and Chances for Snow

The anticipation for opening day is palpable across Utah, but a recent stretch of unseasonably warm weather has put a freeze on initial plans. Resorts that typically aim to be among the first to open have been forced to pump the brakes, rescheduling their highly anticipated winter debuts.

Specifically, both Brian Head Resort in Southern Utah and Solitude Mountain Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon have had to adjust their timelines due to challenging conditions. This is a reminder that even in the age of advanced snowmaking, Mother Nature ultimately dictates the schedule.

Brian Head Resort, known for its high base elevation at 9,600 feet, was initially eyeing one of its earliest openings on record. However, the persistent warm temperatures in recent weeks made it difficult to make snow efficiently, causing a first delay from November 7th to November 14th. Following a second adjustment, the resort's new scheduled opening day is now Friday, November 21st.

Up north in the Wasatch Mountains, Solitude Mountain Resort is facing similar battles. Solitude, which wants to be the first resort open in the Wasatch, initially targeted a November 14th opening. However, the resort recently pushed its opening day back to Sunday, November 16th.

Meanwhile, neighbor Brighton Resort is taking a more cautious approach. Like Beaver Mountain, Cherry Peak, Nordic Valley, and Sundance, Brighton is holding off on announcing an opening date until conditions improve—though the resort is known for waiting until just hours before to drop the news and snag the coveted first chair in the Wasatch.

In addition to Solitude, other major Wasatch resorts have set target dates:

The waiting game might be nearing an end. Looking at the short-term forecast, a crucial shift appears to be on the horizon.

For Solitude, temperatures in the Wasatch are projected to tumble about 20 degrees over the next few days. This cold front—though expected to lose some steam as it moves east—should bring a light dusting across the range, with a few inches possible in spots. More importantly, the temperature drop will open key snowmaking windows, crucial for resorts eyeing early openings. Solitude is looking at highs in the low 30s and lows in the mid-20s by Monday and Tuesday, November 17th and 18th, with chances of snow Sunday into Monday.

Just up the road in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta could see a more substantial refresh, with forecasts calling for up to 15 inches by Wednesday morning. Beyond that, models hint at an unsettled, potentially active pattern heading into Thanksgiving—though confidence remains low this far out.

For Brian Head, the forecast for the week leading up to their November 21st opening shows a promising cold spell with snow expected. Forecasts indicate the potential for 8-18 inches from Sunday through Wednesday.

This incoming cold weather and moisture will be the key to success. We are all hoping this system delivers enough white gold to get the lifts spinning. Keep checking the conditions, and prepare to get back out there!