As December 2024 comes to a close, Mount Washington, B.C., defends its crown with the deepest snowpack in North America.
Early Monday morning, snow depth measurements reached an impressive 340 cm, cementing this Vancouver Island resort as a snow leader. Mount Washington outshines formidable competitors south of the border, including Timberline Lodge in Oregon (272 cm) and Mount Baker in Washington (269 cm).
A favourable snow setup
Despite temperatures running a few degrees above normal across British Columbia, freezing levels have remained relatively stable, holding below 1,200 metres––perfect conditions for consistent snow accumulation.
A favourite for gold
Mount Washington’s record-breaking snowpack isn’t just luck.
Its unique geography on Vancouver Island positions it perfectly to capture abundant Pacific moisture, which meets modified Arctic air to deliver relentless snowfall. This season, the storm track has been particularly active, allowing the snowbase to build at a remarkable pace.
A look back at record seasons
While this season is impressive, it’s not quite 2010.
On Dec. 27, 2010, Mount Washington was buried in more than five metres of snowfall––taller than an adult giraffe. That season remains the snowiest in the resort’s history, with more than 1,800 cm of snow by April 2011, surpassing the 1998-99 season total of 1,835 cm.
Speaking of records, Mount Baker, located in Washington state, holds the ultimate accolade.
Verified by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), its 1998-99 season brought a jaw-dropping 2,896 cm––nearly 30 metres of snow.
A stormy start to the season
As we move into January, the relentless storm conveyor is expected to take a brief pause. With a healthy base now established, skiers and snowboarders will have ample opportunity to enjoy the incredible snowpack across some of British Columbia’s resorts.
Thumbnail courtesy of Dave Hutchison Photography/Getty Images/1441476188-170667a.