Christmas came early in Lake Tahoe, where there is an abundance of snow at Tahoe ski resorts for the Christmas holidays.
It had begun to look grim in mid-November when the Tahoe region had no snow and it put a doubt in the minds of skiers and snowboarders concerning the amount of snow this season. But a series of storms allowed many Tahoe ski resorts to open for the Thanksgiving holidays and the snow continued into December, making for some very good early-season conditions.
Many Tahoe ski resorts have already passed the 100-inch mark for the 2019-20 ski season. There were seven Tahoe ski resorts that received double digits in new snow totals over a 24-hour period ending Monday (Dec. 23).
Leading the way – just barely – in season snow totals is Sierra-at-Tahoe. After receiving 14 inches of new snow Monday morning, Sierra is reporting 156 inches for the season. The early-season snow total is the most snow among Tahoe ski resorts. Sierra’s sizable ski area, which includes the Backside and West Bowl, is 100-percent open.
Kirkwood Mountain got just over a foot (13 inches) of new snow and is just behind Sierra in snow totals for the season with 154 inches. Kirkwood also has 100-percent of its mountain open.
SEE THE SNOW REPORT BELOW for details on all 14 Tahoe ski resorts.
The added snow totals will be terrific news for skiers and snowboarders who are planning to visit Tahoe ski resorts over the Christmas holidays.
“It will be a snow-filled holiday here in Tahoe,” said Russell Carlton of Vail Resorts in Tahoe (Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood). “Our ski areas have received more than 10 feet of snow this season, including more than 8 feet of snow in December alone at Kirkwood and Northstar.”
Homewood Mountain benefitted the most from the snow that began Sunday and was reported Monday morning. It had 15 inches of new snow and now has 95-percent of its resort open for skiing and riding. Homewood is operating 7 lifts, accessing 62 runs, and is reporting “plenty of powder” Monday.
Squaw Valley was reporting 1 foot of snow in the last 24 hours, setting us up for a powdery start to the holiday week. Squaw has now received more than 12 feet of total snowfall this season and is third among Tahoe ski resorts with 147 inches.
Other Tahoe ski resorts reaching double figures in new snow totals were Mt. Rose (11 inches), Alpine Meadows (10) and Diamond Peak (10).
Two other Tahoe ski resorts – Boreal, Mt. Rose – also are 100-percent open.
Holiday weather outlook: If skiing or snowboarding is on the agenda for Christmas Day, don’t anticipate ideal conditions, according to OpenSnow.com. Monday through Christmas Day will be cold with snow dropping lightly from weak systems. Very light accumulations are expected, perhaps a dusting of 1 inch each day. Temperatures will range in the 30s at lake level and 20s on the mountains.
Expect conditions to improve by Thursday (Dec. 26). High pressure starting Thursday and continuing into the weekend will result in bluebird days at Tahoe ski resorts through the weekend.
“We should clear out Thursday with sunny skies into the weekend,” predicts OpenSnow, California forecaster Bryan Allegretto. “We should start cold with highs in the 20s on the mountains and 30s at lake level Thursday and Friday, and then warming into the 30s for all elevations on the weekend.”
People traveling to and within the Lake Tahoe region Monday and later this week should check the CalTrans QuickMap app to stay aware of road closures and chain control requirements.
SNOW REPORT (Dec. 23)
- Homewood Mountain: 15 inches
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 14 inches
- Kirkwood Mountain: 13 inches
- Squaw Valley: 12 inches
- Mt. Rose: 11 inches
- Alpine Meadows: 10 inches
- Diamond Peak: 10 inches
- Sugar Bowl: 9 inches
- Northstar California: 8 inches
- Tahoe Donner: 5 inches
- Soda Springs: 5 inches
- Boreal Mountain: 3 inches
- Heavenly Mountain: 1 inch
- Granlibakken: NA
