Happy New Year, Shredders!
If you are looking to start 2026 with faceshots and bottomless turns, you are in the right place. At ShredIndex, we have crunched the numbers for the week of December 29, 2025, to January 5, 2026, analyzing data from over 1,000 resorts.
The verdict? The Pacific Northwest and British Columbia are entering a legendary storm cycle. While the holidays are usually busy, the snow gods don't care about lift lines—they just deliver the goods. We are seeing "Epic" conditions flagged for our top contender and solid "Excellent" ratings across the board for the chasers.
Here is your guide to the deepest snow in North America this week.
The Powder King: Tulsequah Heliskiing
Forecast: 166.8cm (65 inches) | Powder Score: 88/100
This isn't a typo. Tulsequah Heliskiing in Canada is forecasted to receive a mind-bending 166.8cm of fresh snow over the next 7 days. With a ShredIndex Powder Score of 88/100, conditions are officially rated as Epic.
Located in the rugged Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Tulsequah offers terrain that is already the stuff of dreams. When you add nearly 1.7 meters of fresh snow to the mix, you are looking at potentially the best week of the entire season. If you have a heli trip booked here for the New Year, you have won the lottery. The heaviest snowfall is expected mid-week, so expect deep storm skiing followed by bluebird glory days.
The Chasers: Deep Snow in BC and Alaska
While Tulsequah is in a league of its own this week, the surrounding regions are also getting hammered. Here are the top resorts offering excellent conditions:
1. Bella Coola, Canada
Forecast: 78.5cm (31 inches) | Powder Score: 67/100
Another heavy hitter in the heli-skiing world, Bella Coola is expecting a massive dump of 78.5cm. The maritime snowpack here is stable and deep, allowing for aggressive skiing on steep terrain. This is the place to be for steep, gladed tree skiing while the storm rages.
2. Shames Mountain, Canada
Forecast: 61.9cm (24 inches) | Powder Score: 71/100
For those of us relying on chairlifts rather than helicopters, Shames Mountain is the place to be. With a Powder Score of 71/100, Shames punches well above its weight class. Known for its incredible backcountry access and laid-back vibe, Shames is going to be a winter wonderland. The 62cm refresh will fill in the famous "Fayz" terrain perfectly.
3. Eaglecrest, United States
Forecast: 58.4cm (23 inches) | Powder Score: 67/100
Crossing the border into Alaska, Eaglecrest in Juneau is set to receive nearly 60cm of fresh powder. As one of the few community-owned ski areas that offers big mountain terrain, Eaglecrest is a hidden gem. This snow will open up the Pittman's Ridge terrain, offering steep, hike-to chutes that rival any big resort in the lower 48.
The Wildcard: Disko Island, Greenland
Forecast: 44.7cm (17 inches) | Powder Score: 67/100
Technically sitting on the North American tectonic plate, Disko Island offers an Arctic adventure like no other. If you are looking to combine heli-skiing with viewing icebergs and the Northern Lights, this week offers nearly half a meter of fresh snow to soften the landings.
Best of the Rest
The storm track is favoring the Northern latitudes heavily this week. Other notable mentions in Canada include:
- Saddle Mountain: Expecting 46.7cm with excellent conditions.
- Table Mountain: A solid 41.6cm on the way.
- Mont Béchervaise: Bringing some love to the East with 25.4cm.
- Sunday Peaks: Looking good with 28.1cm.
- Station Gallix: Rounding out the list with 21.8cm.
Gear Tip: Surviving the Storm
With over 1.5 meters of snow falling in some areas, standard all-mountain gear won't cut it. You need flotation and warmth. Here is what we recommend packing for this cycle:
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Fat Skis: You need width underfoot to stay on top of 166cm of snow. Look for anything 110mm+ underfoot.
- Recommendation: Wide Powder Skis
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Low Light Lenses: It is going to be dumping, which means flat light. High-contrast, yellow or rose lenses are essential.
- Recommendation: Smith 4D MAG Goggles
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Heated Gloves: January in Northern BC and Alaska is cold. Don't let frozen fingers cut your day short.
- Recommendation: Heated Ski Gloves
Final Thoughts
The first week of 2026 is shaping up to be one for the history books in British Columbia and Alaska. Whether you are booking a last-minute heli seat at Tulsequah Heliskiing or hiking the ridge at Eaglecrest, stay safe, ski with a buddy, and enjoy the deep stuff.
Want to see how your local hill stacks up? Check out the full rankings for thousands of resorts on ShredIndex.
