AccuWeather’s El Niño snow forecast calls for a potentially record-setting winter, and the outlook points to a very different ski season from last year. That’s a great signal for skiers and snowboarders in California who had to persevere through the West’s horrible 2025-26 season. Forecasters expect a parade of storms, including several atmospheric rivers, to move in from the Pacific Ocean. The storm focus may start across Central and Northern California, then shift south toward the Los Angeles and San Diego areas as winter goes on.
Mammoth Mountain, California, received its first snow of the 2026-27 season on Monday, September 28, when a dusting fell at McCoy Station. Mammoth Mountain opening day is still planned for Friday, November 13. That would make Mammoth the first California resort to open, a week ahead of Heavenly and Northstar, which are scheduled to open November 20. Palisades Tahoe is targeting a Wednesday, November 25, opening date.
Here’s the list of California resorts’ opening dates for the 2026-27 ski season:
- Mammoth Mountain: Friday, November 13
- Heavenly Mountain Resort: Friday, November 20
- Northstar: Friday, November 20
- Palisades Tahoe: Wednesday, November 25
- Bear Valley: Friday, November 27
- Boreal Mountain Resort: Friday, November 27
- Mt. Baldy: Friday, November 27
- Ski China Peak: Friday, November 27
- Sugar Bowl: Friday, November 27
- Kirkwood: Friday, December 4
- Donner Ranch: Friday, December 11
- Tahoe Donner: Saturday, December 12
- Soda Springs: Friday, December 18
- June Mountain: Saturday, December 19
- Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort: Saturday, December 26
- Homewood Mountain Resort: Saturday, December 26
- Mt. Shasta Ski Park: Saturday, December 26
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: Saturday, December 26
- Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area: Saturday, December 26
With the super El Niño forecast to affect much of the United States, it is a big reminder of what could happen this season in California. The 2025-26 season saw a historic February storm dump 9.5 feet of snowfall on Palisades Tahoe in 5 days, with the resort reporting its highest five-day snowfall accumulation since 1970. Just weeks earlier, the mountain had experienced more than a month without any significant snowfall, with teams focused on preserving the existing snowpack. March was even worse, with Palisades Tahoe receiving no measurable snowfall; Palisades even considered closing in late April. However, with an additional 80 inches of snow in April, Palisades was able to stay open until May 24. It was just one of those unpredictable seasons, and hopefully, the upcoming season will be less volatile and more stable for California skiers and riders.
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