The West Coast’s first chairlifts spin November 13 in California, Black Friday in Washington, and December 4 in Oregon
Ski season on the West Coast doesn’t start everywhere at once, and the gap between the first lift and the last is bigger than you’d think. California’s Mammoth Mountain is aiming to open November 13, while Oregon’s Mt. Bachelor is targeting December 4, three full weeks later.
Washington lands in the middle. Here’s the order the lifts are scheduled to start turning, so you can plan your first turns instead of guessing.
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Mammoth Mountain, California: November 13
Mammoth, in the Eastern Sierra above the town of Mammoth Lakes, has announced Friday, November 13 as its opening day for the 2026-27 season. That makes it the earliest of the three by a wide margin, and my pick for the first weekend of the year.
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The date is a target, not a promise. The resort says early-season operations depend on cold temperatures and early snowfall, so keep an eye on the forecast the week before.
Crystal Mountain, Washington: Black Friday
Crystal Mountain, next door to Mount Rainier National Park, is targeting Friday, November 27 to open. That’s the day after Thanksgiving, which is either the best or worst timing depending on how you feel about crowds.
Like every other date on this list, it depends on snow, snowmaking, and weather. If Thanksgiving week brings a storm, you’ll know quickly.
Mt. Bachelor, Oregon: December 4
Mt. Bachelor, outside Bend, plans to open Friday, December 4, the last of the three. Oregon skiers itching for early turns have a long wait, or a road trip south or north.
Mt. Bachelor’s date is also a target. Resorts regularly move opening day earlier or later once the snow decides what it’s doing.
How to plan around moving dates
Book flexible lodging if you can, and wait to lock in nonrefundable plans until the resort confirms its opening. A rental car also makes it easier to pivot from one state to the next if a storm favors a different mountain.
So which first chair are you chasing: the early California start, the Black Friday Washington crowd, or the December Oregon opener?
Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.
Rules and fees change, so always confirm current requirements before you go.
