Frequent snow storms throughout March has pushed eight Lake Tahoe ski resorts above the 300-inch mark for season snow totals.
With “Miracle March” coming to a close this Saturday, season snow totals continue to climb, resulting in multiple powder days for skiers and snowboarders.
Squaw Valley is reporting 388 inches of snow this season, topping the list among Lake Tahoe ski resorts. Alpine Meadows has received 366 inches and Kirkwood Mountain’s snow total is 336 inches.
Other Lake Tahoe ski resorts exceeding the 300-inch amount are Homewood Mountain (331), Sierra-at-Tahoe (325), Sugar Bowl (314), Mt. Rose (312), and Boreal Mountain (306).
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows was reporting the most snow during a 24-hour period by Sunday morning (March 25). Squaw Valley received 15 inches and neighboring Alpine Meadow had 13 inches.
Right behind was Tahoe Donner and Kirkwood Mountain, which had 12 inches of snow. Homewood Mountain and Sugar Bowl were both reporting 10 inches.
Kirkwood Mountain reportedly had the most snow over the past week, edging just past the 4-foot mark with 49 inches. Heavenly Mountain had 3 feet and Sierra-at-Tahoe was reporting 31 inches.
Snow totals (today and season)
- Alpine Meadows: 13 inches (season 366 inches)
- Boreal Mountain: 7 inches (season 306 inches)
- Diamond Peak: 2 inches (season 250 inches)
- Granlibakken: 4 inches (season NA)
- Heavenly Mountain: 3 inches (season 266 inches)
- Homewood Mountain: 10 inches (season 331 inches)
Squaw Valley is reporting 388 inches of snow this season, topping the list among Lake Tahoe ski resorts. - Kirkwood Mountain: 12 inches (season 336 inches)
- Mt. Rose: 3 inches (season 312 inches)
- Northstar California: 9 inches (season NA)
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 6 inches (season 325 inches)
- Soda Springs: 7 inches (season 277 inches)
- Sugar Bowl: 10 inches (season 314 inches)
- Squaw Valley: 15 inches (season 388 inches)
- Tahoe Donner: 12 inches (season NA)
*NA (not available)
Closing dates
Although considerable snow has fallen throughout March, many Lake Tahoe ski resorts will still be shutting down by mid-April, pulling down the curtain on their 2017-18 season.
Kirkwood Mountain will be the first Lake Tahoe ski resort to close, its final day scheduled for Sunday, April 8. An additional six Lake Tahoe ski resorts, including Northstar California and Sugar Bowl, have announced April 15 closing dates.
Echoing the thoughts of many Lake Tahoe ski resorts was Jaclyn Ream, a spokesperson for Diamond Peak.
“We’re sticking to our projected date of April 15,” Ream said. “Thanks to some recent help from Mother Nature (over 14 feet of snow this month) and a lot of work from our Slope Maintenance team, we’re looking good for April 15. We’re 100-percent open.”
Heavenly Mountain will remain open a week longer than most Lake Tahoe ski resorts, concluding operations April 22.
Both Sierra-at-Tahoe and Homewood Mountain are undecided regarding their closing dates. “Closing date depends on the longevity of the current snowpack as well as temperatures and changing conditions,” said Sierra spokesperson Thea Hardy. “There is still plenty of awesome skiing to be done until then.”
Mt. Rose will again be one of the last Lake Tahoe ski resorts open this season. The closing date for the Nevada resort is Sunday, April 29.
“Tentatively, our closing date is set for April 29, making this our third season in a row to achieve a six-plus month-long season,” said Mike Pierce, Mt. Rose spokesperson.
Once again, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will stay open longer than any Lake Tahoe ski resort. Closing day for Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has been scheduled for May 28 (Memorial Day), weather and conditions permitting. The High Camp Hot Tub, a spring skiing tradition, will open March 31, if the weather cooperates.
“With ‘Miracle March’ in full swing, the resort is gearing up for 2½ more months of skiing and riding,” stated a Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Press release earlier this month.
Tentative 2018 Closing Dates
- Kirkwood Mountain: April 8
- Diamond Peak: April 15
- Northstar California: April 15
- Soda Springs: April 15
- Boreal Mountain: April 15
- Sugar Bowl: April 15
- Tahoe Donner: April 15
- Granlibakken: April 16
- Heavenly Mountain: April 22
- Mt. Rose: April 29
- Squaw Valley: May 28
- Alpine Meadows: May 28
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: TBA
- Homewood Mountain: TBA
