Snowbasin To End Season Prematurely: "This Is Not What We Wanted"
As a record-setting heat wave sends the mercury sky-high across the American West, ski resorts are pulling the plug on the season.
Snowbasin, located northeast of Salt Lake City, is among the first to declare an early-than-planned closing date.
In a candid video to social media followers, COO & General Manager Davey Ratchford announced that Snowbasin's final day of the winter season will be Sunday, March 22, 2026.
"We've had a bit of an interesting season this year," says Ratchford in the video. "It's crazy to think that just three years ago we had the most snow we've ever had, and three years later we've had maybe one of the more challenging seasons in history."
Snowbasin has received just 124 inches of snowfall this season, or about 38% of its advertised annual average of 325 inches. Tap or click below to watch the full message from Ratchford.
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Snowbasin isn't alone in closing early this season.
Eagle Point, located in Southern Utah, intended to remain open through Easter Sunday, April 5, but was forced to end its season this past Sunday due to the deteriorating snowpack.
Elsewhere across the West, multiple ski resorts have already ended their seasons in Idaho, Oregon, and California, and more early-closing dates are expected to be announced as temperatures remain far above average.
Even Palisades Tahoe, California, which is known for typically having one of the longest ski seasons in the world, is struggling with snowpack. The resort has moved many of its spring events from May to April.
One of Dr. Seuss's most famous quotes feels pertinent during this challenging season out West: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
Stay tuned here at POWDER for more closing day announcements. We've got you covered.