Ski resorts along North America's west coast have started to announce extended ski seasons following the huge amount of snow that has fallen in the region this season – and continues to fall.
Squaw Valley in California has announced it will be open at least in to May now, and says it will then reassess. It currently has a 420cm (14 foot) base and received another 60cm/2 feet of snow this week. Similar volumes more are expected in the week ahead too.
"As a result of El Niño snowfall topping 36 cumulative feet for the season, the resort anticipates a long spring skiing and snowboarding season. Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has committed to offering the longest season in Tahoe and will offer skiing and riding into May as long as weather and conditions permit," said resort spokesperson Liesl Kenney.
The last time that spring snow depths were on a par with this season, five years ago, around 10 West Coast ski areas were open for 4th July Independence day celebrations on their ski slopes.
The deepest snow depth south of the Canadian border is at Mammoth Mountain to the south of Squaw Valley which is now reporting a 510cm (17 foot) base and also looks set top stat open late in to spring. It has made it through to August in the past.
However the resort posting the most snowfall in the world this winter is located to the north, in Alaska, where Alyeska has now had 18.3 metres (721 inches) of snowfall so far this season.