It’s been such an incredible winter for snow that at least 11 Lake Tahoe ski resorts have already surpassed their average season snow totals.
The Tahoe resorts have not only exceeded season totals, the numbers are way above average totals.
Who has the most snow among the Lake Tahoe ski resorts this season? Right now, that distinction belongs to Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, which is reporting 680 inches of snow (56-plus feet of snow) after the latest storm dumped 30 inches on the Nevada resort. But Sugar Bowl is right behind at 679 inches of snow for the 2016-17 season and family-owned Donner Ski Ranch has 670 inches.
There are eight Lake Tahoe ski resorts that have received 600 or more inches this season. Both Sugar Bowl and Kirkwood Mountain average the largest snowfall each season – 500 inches.
No resort should be adding to their totals for at least the next week. According to Snow Forecaster Bryan Allegretto, no snow is expected for seven or eight days. Not only will there be no snow, the sun will be shining and the temperatures are conducive to dressing in light clothing. The temperatures will be in the 50’s at lower elevations and dipping into the 40’s above 8,000 feet.
“The weather pattern may become more active by the end of next week, but no confidence in a storm at this time,” Allegretto reported Thursday.
Last week, Ski.com reported that Mt. Rose had 650 inches of snow for the 2016-17 season, the most of any North American resort this season.
Historically, the average annual snowfall at upper elevations in the Lake Tahoe-Truckee region is 450 inches. In the past, the winter season has lasted well into April and early May. Sizable snowstorms are still possible.
It’s not uncommon for snow to keep falling well into the spring months so the 2017 numbers could continue to grow.
According to the ski booking website ZRankings, Lake Tahoe ski resorts have recorded seven of the largest single day snow totals in the U.S. for the 2016-17 season.
There will definitely be skiing past April this season in Lake Tahoe. Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has announced it will be open through May and lifts will be running the Fourth of July. Mt Rose says it will be open in May and several other resorts ae extending their season into late April.
SNOW REPORT: Season total, Annual average
- Mt. Rose: Season total 680 inches – Annual average 350 inches
- Sugar Bowl: Season total 679 – Annual average 500
- Boreal Mountain: Season total 647 – Annual average 400
- Squaw Valley: Season total 623 – Annual average 450
- Alpine Meadows: Season total 617 – Annual average 450
- Northstar California: Season total 607 – Annual average 350
- Kirkwood Mountain: Season total 601 – Annual average 500
- Heavenly Mountain: Season total 600 – Annual average 360
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: Season total 537 – Annual average 480
- Homewood Mountain: Season total 525 – Annual average 450
- Diamond Peak: Season total 446 – Annual average 300
