California ski resorts could see a much better winter after a disappointing season last year, with El Niño expected to bring more frequent storms and opportunities for significant snowfall across the Sierra Nevada.
The 2026-27 ski season could get off to an early start in parts of California, setting the stage for a winter with improved snowpack and potentially excellent conditions for skiers and snowboarders.
El Niño is expected to drive this winter's weather pattern, favoring a more active storm track across the Southwest and parts of the West. California is among the states AccuWeather identifies as having some of the best prospects for ski conditions this season, alongside Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.
The outlook would be
a welcome change after last winter's disappointing conditions across much of the West, when unusually warm temperatures and inconsistent snowfall challenged ski resorts.
Sierra Nevada could see more frequent snowstorms
The Sierra Nevada is among the areas that could benefit most from the developing El Niño pattern, with storms potentially bringing more consistent snowfall to mountain communities and ski destinations.
Resorts around Lake Tahoe, including Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort, could benefit from an active winter storm pattern, according to AccuWeather. Farther south, Mammoth Mountain also stands to benefit from increased opportunities for snowfall.
An earlier transition to winter could help some California resorts build their snowpack sooner, while additional storms throughout the season could allow ski areas to maintain better conditions and potentially extend operations into the spring.
However, a stormier winter does not necessarily mean consistently ideal conditions across every resort.
Warmer periods could bring rain to lower elevations, particularly during storms carrying warmer Pacific moisture. That could create challenging conditions at resort bases even when higher elevations receive substantial snowfall.
Major winter storms could also make travel to mountain resorts difficult, particularly along mountain highways and routes through the Sierra Nevada.
El Niño could bring a wetter winter, but conditions will vary
El Niño is expected to influence the broader winter weather pattern, increasing the likelihood of storms across California and other parts of the southern United States.
However, seasonal forecasts describe broad trends rather than predicting exactly when or where individual storms will develop. The timing, strength, and track of each storm will ultimately determine how much snow individual resorts receive.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's winter outlook also favors above-average precipitation across much of the southern United States, including California. Northern California, however, is among the areas where NOAA favors warmer-than-average temperatures this winter.
That distinction matters for ski resorts because precipitation alone does not guarantee snowfall. Elevation and temperatures during individual storms will play an important role in determining whether precipitation falls as snow or rain.
For skiers and snowboarders, the outlook offers reason for optimism after last winter, particularly across the Sierra Nevada. Still, the season's success will depend on how consistently storms deliver cold enough temperatures and snowfall at resort elevations.
Brandi D. Addison covers weather nationwide as the Weather Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network and contributes to Texas Connect coverage statewide. She can be reached at baddison@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Facebook here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California ski season forecast: Could El Niño bring more snow this winter?
