Lake Tahoe has some of the largest snow totals in North American this season. And the good news – we think, assuming you’re not tired of the constant storms – is more snow is on the way.
A sizable storm is expected to begin Saturday (March 4) and Sugar Bowl is positioned to be in the middle of the storm and could receive a whopping 37 inches by Monday night. Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows may fall somewhere between the 30-35 inches.
The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow, which is in effect from 4 p.m. Saturday through 4 p.m. Sunday.
Timing: Snow will develop late Saturday afternoon with a period of heavy snow likely Saturday night into Sunday morning. Snow showers to continue through the day Sunday.
Snow accumulation: 1 to 2 feet above 7000 feet with 12 to 18 inches elsewhere, including Truckee and the communities around Lake Tahoe.
Winds: Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 50 mph.
Impacts: Snow and gusty winds are likely to produce significant reductions to visibility and difficult travel, especially across Sierra passes, in addition to possible chain controls. Small boats, kayaks and paddle boards will be prone to capsizing and should remain off lake waters until conditions improve
It’s been quite the ski season thus far for Lake Tahoe ski resorts. Many Lake Tahoe ski resorts are already reporting snow totals exceeding 500 inches. According to Ski.com, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe in Nevada (and very close to North Lake Tahoe) leads the way with 650 inches, the most of any North American resort this season.
ZRankings tracks all kinds of data in regards to skiing and recently compiled a list of the 10 biggest powder days of this season. Note that a single resort is not mentioned more than once in these results.
Top 10 Snow Days for 2016-17 season
- Kirkwood Mountain: 48 inches, Jan. 11
- Heavenly Mountain: 48 inches, Jan. 11
- June Mountain (Calif.): 48 inches, Jan. 5
- Donner Ski Ranch: 48 inches, Jan. 5
- Northstar California: 42 inches, Jan. 11
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 40 inches, Jan. 23
- Brian Head (Utah): 36 inches, Dec. 25
- Alpine Meadows: 32 inches, Feb. 10
- Squaw Valley: 31 inches, Jan. 23
- Brighton (Utah): 30 inches, Jan. 24
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows have already announced that it will be offering skiing through June and will be running lifts on Fourth of July. Mt. Rose will offer skiing and riding through Memorial Day and several other resorts are committed to late April before closing for the season.
