By Tucker Volk | Denver Foothills Property | Evergreen, Colorado

If you’ve been driving through Evergreen, Conifer, or up to the high country lately, you’ve probably noticed something unusual: the mountains are still brown. This fall and early winter have delivered one of the driest starts to ski season in decades, and if you’re a mountain homeowner, prospective buyer, or backcountry enthusiast, you’re likely wondering what this means for the months ahead.

As someone who lives and works in the Denver foothills, I’ve been tracking this season closely—both for my own backcountry pursuits and for the clients I work with who are drawn to mountain living specifically for the winter sports lifestyle. Here’s what you need to know about where we are, where we’re headed, and what it all means for the Colorado mountain experience this year.

Where We Stand Right Now: A Historically Dry Start

The numbers don’t lie. This fall and early winter have been among the driest on record across Colorado’s high country. Persistent high-pressure systems have pushed storms north and west, leaving even high-elevation basins thin or completely snow-free through most of November.

From Bergen Park to Bailey, from the ski towns of Summit County to the peaks above Winter Park and Steamboat, the landscape has stayed stubbornly bare. Early December typically brings consistent coverage to mountain communities, but this year we’re still waiting for winter to truly arrive.

The Silver Lining: A Cleaner Snowpack Foundation

Here’s the surprising part: this dry start may actually be setting us up for better conditions later in the season.

Typically, an early-season storm dumps snow that sits on bare ground, creating a faceted weak layer that haunts us all winter long. This is the kind of foundation that leads to widespread avalanche concerns and unstable backcountry conditions. With so little early accumulation this year, many slopes simply didn’t develop that problematic layer. The foundation is cleaner than most seasons.

That said, isolated pockets on north-facing, shaded, or wind-protected slopes did pick up early flakes. These areas have developed weak layers that will become reactive once buried under heavier storms. The snowpack will be variable and patchy—classic Colorado conditions—but overall more manageable than seasons plagued by deep, persistent problems from early October storms.

The Winter Outlook: Slow December, Strong Finish

Long-range forecasts continue to point toward a slight La Niña or neutral pattern, which tells us a few important things about how this winter will unfold:

December will remain slow and inconsistent. If you’re planning a ski trip to Loveland, Arapahoe Basin, or the I-70 corridor resorts for the holidays, manage expectations. Conditions will be limited, and snowmaking will be doing most of the heavy lifting at lower elevations.

January and February should deliver. As we move deeper into winter, colder temperatures and more frequent storm cycles are expected to establish. The northern mountains—Summit County, Winter Park, Steamboat Springs—are particularly well-positioned to outperform the rest of the state during this window.

March through May could be exceptional. This is where things get interesting. Late winter and spring often provide the best backcountry conditions, and this year may be no exception. With a thin start leading to a cleaner upper snowpack, we could see outstanding stability, predictable avalanche cycles, and phenomenal spring corn skiing well into May.

For mountain homeowners in Evergreen, Conifer, and the upper foothills, this means your best powder days and backcountry access may come later than usual—but they’re likely still coming.

What This Means If You’re Headed to the Resorts

If you’re a resort skier or you’re considering a mountain home near ski areas like Eldora, Loveland, or the Summit County resorts, here’s what to expect:

Right now (early December): Resort terrain is limited. Lower elevations are relying heavily on snowmaking, and off-piste terrain is opening slowly. This is a great time for groomer laps, getting your legs back, and taking advantage of lighter early-season crowds—but it’s not yet true winter conditions.

Mid-January through February: The mountains begin to feel like winter again. Storm cycles become more regular, coverage improves, and high-alpine terrain finally fills in. Resorts start skiing like the Colorado everyone expects.

Late February through April: This may be the highlight of the season. If you’re planning a ski trip or hosting visitors at your mountain property, this window offers the best chance at quality conditions. Deep snowpack, stable weather patterns, and spring sunshine create the classic Colorado experience.

For buyers considering mountain real estate, this is an important reminder: Colorado winters are variable, but the lifestyle remains unmatched. A slow start doesn’t diminish the long-term appeal of living near world-class skiing and backcountry access.

What This Means If You’re Heading Into the Backcountry

The current backcountry snowpack is thin, variable, and tricky. The slopes that held early snow now contain faceted weak layers that will become reactive once buried under deeper storms. These early-season conditions call for a conservative approach, especially on north-facing descents above treeline.

As the winter deepens, travel improves. Some slopes will carry old weaknesses, while others—especially those that began the season bare—will develop much stronger foundations. It will be a patchwork snowpack, but overall far more manageable than seasons with widespread early problems.

The real opportunity arrives in late winter and spring. A thin start often leads to a cleaner, better-bonded upper snowpack once storms build. When the sun gets higher and the pack consolidates, high-elevation travel becomes more predictable. Big alpine objectives start to open. This could be an exceptional season for snowmobiling, high-elevation touring, spring corn cycles, and long mountain campaigns well into April and May.

For mountain homeowners in the Denver foothills and beyond, this means your backcountry access from your doorstep may be limited in early season but could deliver outstanding conditions later on.

The Bottom Line: A Late Bloomer, But a Strong Finisher

Colorado started this winter dry, thin, and slower than usual. But the later part of the season still holds significant promise. Resorts should see their best conditions from mid-January through spring, while backcountry travelers can expect isolated early weak layers followed by increasingly stable and rewarding high-elevation conditions.

A slow start doesn’t mean a lost winter. It simply means the best skiing and riding is still ahead.

For those of us who live in the Denver foothills and mountains—and for those considering making the move to mountain living—this season is a good reminder of what makes Colorado special. Yes, the snow can be variable. Yes, some winters start slow. But the access, the lifestyle, and the long-term rewards of living in these mountains remain exceptional.

Whether you’re waking up in Evergreen to ski before work, touring out your back door in Conifer, or driving up to Summit County for the weekend, Colorado winter living offers something you simply can’t find anywhere else.

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Thinking about mountain property or curious about the Denver foothills real estate market? Whether you’re an avid skier looking for backcountry access, a family seeking a mountain lifestyle, or an investor eyeing ski-town properties, I’m here to help you understand both the market and the mountains. Let’s discuss how to find your perfect Colorado mountain home.

Tucker Volk
Denver Foothills Property
Proudly Serving West Denver and the Foothills | Evergreen, Colorado

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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute avalanche safety advice or professional weather forecasting. Always check current avalanche conditions with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) before entering backcountry terrain. Real estate market conditions are subject to change.