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Where to Hit the Slopes in 2009-10

The Farmers’ Almanac’s famous long-range weather forecast for the coming winter is calling for an “ice cold sandwich,” but what does that mean for skiers?

This year’s forecast indicates that central parts of North America, including the Great Lakes, Plains, and Rocky Mountains, will be cold and snowy, while coastal regions will see milder weather. While that’s great news for skiers who enjoy the rugged, mile-high peaks of the Rocky Mountains, East Coast skiers may be in for a less than stellar year.

All signs indicate an early start to the season in the Rockies. As usual, Colorado will be king. With 54 peaks above 14,000 feet, and an annual average of about 300 inches of snow, resorts in this skier’s Mecca should get more than enough powder this winter for a phenomenal season.

Look for a thick blanket of snow, accompanied by bitterly cold temperatures, to fall throughout December, with frequent storms dropping more of the white stuff through early spring, in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, and Alberta, Canada.

On the East Coast, this year’s weather may be a letdown to some Northeastern skiers, especially following on the heels of two very snowy winters. But don’t discount the region! Mother Nature won’t completely disappoint snow lovers east of the Mississippi. While skiing conditions are expected to be fair in New England, New York, and Eastern Canada through January, things will start to pick up in mid-February, when a blizzard is expected to dump as much as two feet of snow. Another large storm could pound the East near the end of the month, potentially laying down enough powder to carry skiers happily through the end of the season.

For a more detailed look at our predictions for your favorite slopes, see the Farmers' Almanac Long Range Forecast.