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California's northernmost ski area closes for the season amid paltry snowpack
Mt. Shasta Ski Park, the state's northernmost resort, is the latest casualty of a difficult winter for ski areas across the West.
Mar. 11, 2026 at 9:20pm
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Mount Shasta's only ski area, Mt. Shasta Ski Park, announced it will close for the rest of the season due to extremely warm temperatures and a rapidly deteriorating snowpack. The resort, which is the northernmost ski area in California, opened for just 55 days this season, five days short of its 60-day guarantee. Ski resorts across the West are struggling amid low snowfall and unseasonably warm weather, with some opening late or closing early.
Why it matters
The early closure of Mt. Shasta Ski Park highlights the challenges facing ski resorts in California and the broader Western U.S. this winter due to climate change. Low snowpack and warm temperatures have forced many resorts to cut their seasons short, impacting local economies that rely on winter tourism.
The details
Mt. Shasta Ski Park, the only ski area on Mount Shasta, announced it will close for the remainder of the season on March 2 due to the lack of snow and warm forecasts. The resort, which is locally owned, was only open for 55 days this season, five days short of its 60-day guarantee. Resort officials cited the "terribly warm" forecast with no precipitation as the reason for the early closure. This is California's worst snowpack since 2015, with more rain than snow this winter.
- Mt. Shasta Ski Park opened for the season on December 17, 2025.
- The resort closed on March 2, 2026, five days short of its 60-day guarantee.
The players
Mt. Shasta Ski Park
The northernmost ski area in California, located on Mount Shasta.
Brendan Hickey
The chief financial officer of Mt. Shasta Ski Park.
Rob Katz
The chief executive of Vail Resorts, which owns three major resorts in the South Lake Tahoe region.
Tim Bardsley
A National Weather Service hydrologist.
What they’re saying
“The forecast looks terribly warm with no (precipitation) at all. It's just not going to happen.”
— Brendan Hickey, Chief Financial Officer, Mt. Shasta Ski Park
“This has been the most challenging winter across the Rockies that we have ever experienced, with the lowest snowfall levels in more than 30 years for our Colorado and Utah resorts.”
— Rob Katz, Chief Executive, Vail Resorts
“Cross country ski centers will lose most of their remaining snow as most of those are at somewhat lower elevations than the downhill areas.”
— Tim Bardsley, National Weather Service Hydrologist
What’s next
Larger resorts with more extensive snowmaking systems are expected to fare better than smaller competitors as warm temperatures continue to impact the region.
The takeaway
The early closure of Mt. Shasta Ski Park is a stark reminder of the challenges facing ski resorts in California and the broader Western U.S. due to climate change. As warm temperatures and low snowpack become more common, the future of the winter sports industry in these regions is increasingly uncertain.
