WINTER SPORTS -- While much of the West suffers for lack of snow, Montana is flush with powder.

An AP news story today notes that the state has an above-normal snowpack already this year -- good news for river runners planning their spring.

But for now, it's the industry adding a big exclamation mark to the mountain snow conditions with a media release, including the powder-hound photos above, all snapped in the past 10 days.

"Big Sky Country is enjoying some of the best ski conditions in the lower 48!," Montana Tourism points out. 

• Bridger Bowl has had 40 inches of snowfall  over the last 10 days.
• Lost Trail Powder Mountain tops the charts with an 85-inch base.
• Whitefish Mountain Resort is stuck in a perpetual white room.

"The rest of MT's 15 ski areas have enjoyed consistent storm cycles since October. With more pow on the way -- we're in a meteorological heaven," said Molly Ambrogi-Yanson, Tourism spokeswoman.