December Delivers: Living the Storm
We are in the storm cycle, folks! Believe it. Winter started slow, not even sloppy, it was dryish and lean. Great for skeptics. The revered white snowline took its time appearing and did not drop to valley bottom. Things looked skinny. The situation called for patience and reflection — we have been here before.
December has a reputation for some of the best, if not the best, storm skiing of the season. Why? The quality of snow is unique. At this time of year, the sun is too low, and the days are too short to mess with December snow’s delicate, featherweight density. These specific conditions are brief and beautiful; they never happen quite the same again.
True to form, this year’s cycle arrived like a freight train. Energetic pulses of moisture hammered through, one after another, filling in the runs and setting up the snowpack. For the rest of the season, we will refer to the underlying layers buried under these cycles. It’s an exciting month, full of energy and great powder skiing.
December 2012
Historically, 2012 was a standout year for the BC Monashees. Our weather book records 453 cm in 18 days. On average, 25 cm /day fresh. December 17, 2012, the HS reached 303 cm. That adds up to a lot of shovelling, snow blowing, and thigh-high trail breaking. No one seemed to mind.
December 2025
So far this year, we are trending heavy. The storm board is being put to the test.
Timeline to date:
December 4, 2025: Height of Snow (HS) 110 cm
December 5, 2025: HS 110, 75 cm on the storm board
December 6, 2025: HS 170 cm = Game on!
December 10, 2025: HS 200cm, 95 cm on the storm board
Total snowfall December 1 – 13 = 163 cm. View the current conditions.
Stay and Ski
Lodge-based ski touring is the way to go in December. Short days, long nights, and easy access to a solid snowpack is a gift. Forget wild rides through alders and heavy slogs to reach a few turns on early season legs. Go for the blower powder. You may catch a glimpse of the alpine in between storms.
Booking December skiing to some feels like a gamble. We don’t think so. Santa Claus may not be real, however the storm cycle lives and delivers. The payoff is huge.
Live the storm, live the life.
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