Mammoth Mountain in California is reporting a snow depth of 568cm (nearly 19 feet) on its upper runs following another week of storms. The snow is reported to be 403cm (over 13 feet) deep at its base.
More storms are due to hit the resort from the latter half of this weekend. In previous years this kind of snow depth in January, hen it has happened, has led to Mammoth staying open through to July or even August.
The snow levels at Mammoth are the most extreme result of a seemingly endless stream of huge storms to hit the North American West Coast for about two months straight now. Each time the storms cause major operational issues with ski areas having to dig out access roads, buildings and lifts and try to make a much terrain 'avalanche safe' as quickly as possible.
Big White in BC Canada issued a warning yesterday that the weight of snow was causing mature trees to fall and for dangerous snow slides from pitched rooves and advised skiers to be vigilant.
The world's second deepest reported snow depth is at Alta in Utah which reports 160 - 340cm (over 5 to over 11 feet) lying.