The Association of Canadian Mountain Guides is Canada's only internationally recognized guide association. On their web site, at http://www.acmg.ca , you can find Mountain Condition Reports, written by trained and certified professional guides.

Until the last storm cycle, which ended on Friday, December 13, base conditions were marginal here. Most of the backcountry bowls were in, but the access and exits were often difficult. Grand Targhee was open, but wasn't worth a trip unless you were an Eastern skier by heart and had some serious rock skis. But the last storm brought 3 feet of snow. Heavy, dense, wet snow that coated the mountain sides like glue. Bad for skiing but great for base.

Lesson Learned: Go and see for yourself. The snow is often better than you expect.