What Does a La Niña year Mean for the for the Ski Season?

It’s that wonderful time of year again—and no, it’s not Christmas; it’s the ski season, the true highlight of the new year. Every year, eager skiers and snowboarders hit the ski slopes as a new winter arrives. While the skier, the skis, the ski resort, and the ski lodges may be the same, one thing certainly is not: the snow. Each winter brings fresh, pearly white, dazzling and magical snow. However, not all snow is the same; it all depends on the weather of that day or rather that year.

When the field of meteorology intersects with this winter hobby, two complex and contrasting weather patterns emerge: La Niña and El Niño. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2025 winter is going to be a La Niña, with La Niña conditions starting in December and possibly continuing through April 2025.

All of this means that 2025 will be a major year for winter sports in the Pacific Northwest. This winter will be colder and wetter, likely with more snowfall. Colder temperatures are promising as skiers and snowboarders can be compensated for last year’s disappointing season.

Particularly enthusiastic hobbyists have already skied multiple times this season and are not disappointed.

“The conditions this year are good, much better than last year. Last year had poor coverage because it was an El Niño year, but skiing should be fun this season,” said sophomore Ozzie Kato.

Aside from the chilly weather, 2025 is an exciting year for skiing. Those who have skied at Snoqualmie this year have undoubtedly noticed the installment of a new chairlift, the Internationale chair at Alpental Ski Resort. A new Wildside chairlift at Summit West replaces the old one. Over at Mount Rainier, visitors at Crystal Mountain Resort are welcomed with a new ski lodge: the Mountain Commons Lodge. With promising La Niña ski conditions and the opening of long-anticipated chairlifts and lodges, the ski season this winter is guaranteed to be exhilarating.