Wintry Tease Brings Half a Foot of September Snow to Washington Ski Resort

Another wintry tease has blown across western states and provinces, delivering, in some cases, solid and measurable snow accumulations.

One of the big winners was Crystal Mountain, Washington, which previously saw its first snow in August but more recently reported a hefty-looking six inches of fresh flakes over this past weekend. 

“The crew geared up, grabbed the shovels, and got to work this morning clearing pathways for summer operations and a wedding,” the resort wrote in a social media post on Sunday. “The snow might not stick around for long, but seeing this much white in September has us thinking about what’s next.”

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The snow has, indeed, thinned out since then. But atop Crystal Mountain’s iconic Chair 6, there’s still a solid bit on the ground. It’s not often to ski, of course, but plenty to get the imagination going. For the next week, more seasonally appropriate weather is expected at the ski resort, with clear skies and highs in the 60s, according to the National Weather Service.

Crystal Mountain wasn’t alone in picking up snow. At Banff Sunshine Village, Alberta, Monday morning kicked off with a reminder that, yes, winter is on the way. 

“Good morning to a September snow day here at Sunshine! Winter is ready to come back. Who’s excited to get out here and ride!?” the resort wrote on Instagram. 

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That snow is sticking around for now. Here’s a look at Sunshine Village’s webcams.

Snow also fell at Montana’s Glacier National Park, where the Logan Pass webcam picked up a decent coating, alongside Bridger Bowl Ski Area.

Is a Wild El Niño Winter Coming?

The return of snow to the mountains comes ahead of a season that’s already prompting much speculation: a potentially historic El Niño has arrived, and skiers, ski resorts, and snow fans are adding their two cents on what that might mean. Last winter, which largely skunked the West in dramatic fashion, adds some urgency. There are lots of hopes resting on the outcome of the 2026-27 season.

Obviously, no winter can be described in full this far ahead. But El Niño is a valuable forecasting tool for long-term thinking, and meteorologists are continuing to weigh in. Here’s a selection of takes to help you form a clearer picture.

For a straightforward winter outlook: turn to Chris Tomer, OpenSnow, or the Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal outlooks.

For a note of caution: check out meteorologist Luke Stone’s series of Instagram posts that hedge against the El Niño hype.

For a long-form detailed breakdown of El Niño’s potential impact on California: watch Dr. Daniel Swain’s September update.

Related: Early Morning Ski Commutes Aren’t Painful, They’re Glorious