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White Pass and El Niño

Less snow

El Niño winters bring White Pass about 10% less snow than a typical winter.

Based on 14 El Niño winters since 1986: 5 of them beat White Pass's median snowfall. That's a clear, consistent pattern, not just noise. Ranks #120 of 152 Western resorts for El Niño snowfall.

El Niño winters (14) −10% snowfall vs. a typical winter 0.6°C (1.0°F) warmer 4 days fewer of natural ski season
Strong El Niño (4) −6% snowfall vs. a typical winter

Checked against a real snow station: at the White Pass E.S. SNOTEL station, measured precipitation in El Niño winters ran −8% vs. its average (46 winters of measurements).

Every winter since 1986

Snowfall each winter compared with White Pass's 40-winter average, colored by what the Pacific was doing.

El Niño La Niña Neutral

Mid-mountain, November–April. Any single winter can buck the pattern; that's why we look at averages.

Planning a White Pass trip this winter?

El Niño winters have run leaner here. If you're flexible, see which Pacific Northwest & Alaska resorts hold up best, or where El Niño brings the most snow.

Lodging near White Pass

More lodging at White Pass →

Right now NOAA's latest Oceanic Niño Index reading (Jun–Aug 2026) is +1.8°C: strong El Niño conditions. NOAA's outlook says how long it's expected to last.
El Niño speaks Hear what's in store from El Niño himself.

← All resorts: El Niño map & rankings Pacific Northwest & Alaska: El Niño by resort → White Pass climate change profile →