How does snow depth stack up: Idaho ski resorts versus nearby states

The amount of snow at Idaho ski resorts has cooled as things warmed up. But how does the snow here at our resorts stack up to resorts in other nearby states?

Idaho ski resorts saw a spectacular start to their season, with lots of snow in November and December. Depth was extremely strong at many resorts but warmer conditions emerged, due to several ridges of high pressures. This in turn, has melted off some snow, leaving depth a little lighter.

Here's the current snow depth and seasonal snowfall totals in a few SW Idaho resorts, plus Grand Targhee, as of Friday, Feb. 17.

Note: Snow depth is measured at base/mid-mountain, unless otherwise specified. Snow depths at summits are typically higher than base depths, but not always.

IDAHO

Bogus Basin: 58" depth, 171" season total

Brundage: 75" depth, 200" season total

Tamarack: 71" depth, 204" season total

Sun Valley: 71" depth, 130" season total*

Grand Targhee: 92" depth, 312" season total

Idaho's snowpack has weakened down to near normal levels but the SE corner of the state is still holding strong, well above average. It's yet to be seen what a major snowmaker event next week could do.

Now let's take a look at what other states are seeing. Keep in mind, this is a look at some of the most famous resorts in the country; these resorts are generally known for their yearly snowfall totals, so they're expected to be higher.

WYOMING

Jackson Hole: 66" depth, 279" season total (381" at summit)

Some ski areas in the Gem State are actually holding pace with Wyoming's most famous resort, though Jackson Hole's summit (10,450 feet) has seen 381" of snow, a total much higher than SW Idaho resorts. Grand Targhee however, is matching and outperforming it's next-door neighbor Jackson Hole.

UTAH

Park City: 88" depth, 336" season total

Alta: 134" depth, 502" season

Park City, and especially Alta, are dominating this season. Alta is having its best snow year in recorded history, with the resort typically averaging 347" per year. It's gone well above that, and the powder has kept coming.

COLORADO

Vail: 70" depth, 247" season total

Breckenridge: 50" depth, 202" season total

Keystone: 41" depth, 169" season total

Idaho resorts are keeping up and surpassing most of the Colorado resorts near Denver. The three popular resorts are all varied in depth and seasonal snowfall totals, but all in all, they're a bit behind where they should be for this time of year. They're not majorly behind, but they certainly aren't keeping up with the resorts near Salt Lake City.

MONTANA

Big Sky: 58" depth, **

Big Sky's depth right now is comparable to Bogus Basin, a testament to how well Bogus' snow depth is. Big Sky averages 261" of snow per year, but since the resort doesn't report seasonal totals day of, we'll have to wait till the end of the season to see how much snow fell.

VERMONT

Killington: 21" depth, 107" total

Admittedly, nowhere near Idaho, the East Coast's most famous ski resort is well behind most Idaho resorts, as it typically is. This is just to show the disparity in not only general elevation but snowfall totals from east to west.

*Sun Valley's seasonal total is not listed on its website. Third-party websites were used.

**Big Sky does not report season-to-date total, something they address on their website.

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