Winter made an early appearance across the northern Rockies this weekend as a surprise October storm dropped up to a foot of snow in parts of Utah, Wyoming, and Montana.

For many mountain towns, this was the first real taste of winter for the 2025–26 season, and it didn’t disappoint. The system swept in on October 4 and 5, coating peaks and passes with 8–12 inches of snow, and in a few spots, even more. From Montana’s Absaroka-Beartooth range to Wyoming’s Tetons and Utah’s Wasatch peaks, the higher elevations woke up under a thick white blanket.

Image: KULR-8

Montana and Wyoming got the brunt of the storm. Reports showed impressive totals along the Beartooth Highway near Cooke City and Red Lodge, where plows worked through the weekend to clear 22 miles of snow-covered road. Freeze warnings followed close behind, with temperatures dipping into the low 20s across some high-elevation zones Monday morning.

Utah’s Wasatch Range wasn’t spared either. Alta, Snowbird, and Brighton all saw a fresh coat of snow on their upper peaks. Guardsman Pass even closed temporarily after slick conditions made travel treacherous. Locals posted photos of golden aspens peeking through fresh snow, Utah’s favorite fall combo known as “snowliage.” (snow and foliage)

Image: Salt Lake City

Travelers were urged to take it slow and check conditions before heading out. WYDOT and Utah’s DOT warned that while lower-elevation roads would melt out by day, passes could remain icy through the morning. It’s a reminder that mountain driving season is already here, ready or not.

For ski resorts, this storm is the unofficial green light to start gearing up. With early snow and consistent cold in the forecast, snowmaking crews at Big Sky, Jackson Hole, and Alta-Snowbird are expected to fire up their systems soon. Meteorologists are already hinting at a storm track favoring the northern Rockies this month, possibly signaling a strong start to the winter season.

Image: lexieonline

And yes, the stroke is high. Wyoming Cowboys football players were seen tossing snowballs after a hailstorm turned into a snow shower, while locals in Jackson called the Tetons “the best kind of white again.” Whether it’s just a tease or a preview of a powder-filled season, the mountains are back in their favorite shade.

Image: Nico DeBarmore Photography