California’s ski season seemed pretty lackluster until a massive snowstorm this week dumped more than 70 inches of snow on the region.
It’s still snowing this morning, and it’s expected that another foot of snow may accumulate before the storm subsides tomorrow (February 20, 2026).
In the spirit of celebrating some of the deepest powder skiing of the season (we’re powder It’s a magazine after all), so let’s take a look at some of the best photos taken at the ski resorts this week.
Check back with this post later today for more photos. We will continue to update as more footage becomes available. All reported storm totals are accurate as of 10:00 AM PST on February 19, 2026.
If you would like to submit a photo to be added to this story, please email me at matt.lorelli@powder.com.
The 2026 Powder Photography Yearbook is here! Find the print edition at a newsstand near you, or click here Have your copy shipped right to your front door.
tahoe fence
Storm total: 79 inches.
Chris Siegel&coma;Courtesy of Lake Tahoe Palisades
(Chris Siegel, courtesy of Palisades Tahoe)
Chris Siegel&coma;Courtesy of Lake Tahoe Palisades
(Chris Siegel, courtesy of Palisades Tahoe)
Chris Siegel&coma;Courtesy of Lake Tahoe Palisades
(Chris Siegel, courtesy of Palisades Tahoe)
Chris Siegel&coma;Courtesy of Lake Tahoe Palisades
(Chris Siegel, courtesy of Palisades Tahoe)
Chris Siegel&coma;Courtesy of Lake Tahoe Palisades
(Chris Siegel, courtesy of Palisades Tahoe)
Mammoth Mountain/Mammoth Lakes, California
Storm total: 75 inches (mountain), 51 inches (main cabin).
Samantha Lindberg @ Mammoth Lakes Tourism
(Samantha Lindbergh@Mammoth Lakes Tourism)
Samantha Lindberg @ Mammoth Lakes Tourism
(Samantha Lindbergh@Mammoth Lakes Tourism)
Samantha Lindberg @ Mammoth Lakes Tourism
(Samantha Lindbergh@Mammoth Lakes Tourism)
Samantha Lindberg @ Mammoth Lakes Tourism
(Samantha Lindbergh@Mammoth Lakes Tourism)
Big Bear Mountain Resort
Storm total: “over 3 feet”
Courtesy of Big Bear Mountain Resort
(Courtesy of Big Bear Mountain Resort)
Courtesy of Big Bear Mountain Resort
(Courtesy of Big Bear Mountain Resort)
RELATED: More than six feet of snow: California ski resort buried by violent storm
This article was originally published by Powder on February 19, 2026 and first appeared in the News section. Click here to add powder as your preferred source.
