Kelly Walsh Ski Teams face another year of snow shortage throughout the state of Wyoming due to climate change and warmer winter weather. The lack of snow has prompted the cancellation of events meant to take place this December.
The Kelly Walsh Nordic Ski Team expected their first race of the season this week, December 12th and 13th, in Jackson Hole. However, the races have recently been called off.
According to Kelly Walsh Nordic Head Coach Leif Johansson, “The upcoming races have been cancelled due to warmer temperatures and rain forecasted in Jackson all week.”
This year, the Western Region of the United States in particular, has experienced less snowfall to start the season. Wyoming has been undergoing less snowfall in certain areas.
According to Buckrail and OpenSnow meteorologist Alan Smith, “This past November has been one of the warmest on record for Wyoming towns.”
For example, this November has been one of the warmest in Jackson since 2010, with below average precipitation. Particularly, the Tetons had unusually low snowfall this November; however, forecasts predict an above average amount of snowfall in the Tetons this December.
Comparatively, Casper got its first significant snowfall for the winter season on November 28th, 2025. A predicted 1-3 inches of snowfall was expected.
Not only have races already been cancelled, but practice has also been looking different for the Nordic Team, as they are replacing snow training with dryland workouts.
“The lack of snow has definitely affected my season as I feel like we are behind on training compared to other teams that have been on snow for weeks,” said senior Jacob Ruble. This will be Jacob’s 4th year on the Nordic Team.
The lack of snow can be stressful for athletes and lead to feelings of being unprepared. Not only is the race in Jackson the first high school race, but it is the first chance for high school skiers to qualify for Junior Nationals.
“Dry land workouts aren’t the same as being on snow. With a race next weekend, every day not on snow feels like seconds wasted toward the goals I have for each race,” said Ruble.
The Nordic Ski Team is not the only winter sport affected by the lack of snow. Kelly Walsh’s Alpine Ski Team is facing similar issues.
Although the team is used to doing dryland practice as a part of their regular in-season routine, the chances of being able to ski soon have been sparse.
The Alpine Team is not as pressed for time as the Nordic Team is, however. The first Alpine race is scheduled for January 8th and 9th at Hogadon in Casper.
“Honestly, the lack of snowfall hasn’t really affected us that much this season so far. We usually end up starting on snow training after Christmas break,” said junior Jean Wells.
Wells has been doing the Alpine Team for three years and got the chance to ski at Western High School Nationals last year at the Grand Targhee Resort.
According to Wells, the Alpine Team tends to focus on strength at the beginning of the season because the first races often aren’t until after Christmas break, based on the Wyoming 4A Conference Calendar.
“As for right now we are focused on getting stronger in the gym to make sure we are ready for when the snow comes!” said Wells.
