For Tahoe ski resorts, the news regarding snow remains depressing with Mother Nature continuing to disappoint anxious skiers and snowboarders.
As of Friday (Dec. 3), the Tahoe region’s 14 ski resorts have a combined one legitimate lift open for skiing and snowboarding.
Despite running the lone Castle Peak lift, Boreal Mountain has been drawing pretty decent crowds since opening for the season one day after Thanksgiving. The snow was holding up fairly well by late Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 1).
“It’s only one lift and the snow is getting a little slushy, but I’m just happy to be out here snowboarding,” said one Boreal visitor, who didn’t want to be identified. “I work at Northstar and we haven’t been able to make snow very often and it’s really sad that we haven’t opened yet.”
In contrast, Donner Ski Ranch is located roughly 6½ miles from Boreal and remains frustratingly closed with zero snow on its hill. The only sign of winter is a patch of parking lot snow remaining from the region’s only legitimate snowfall that took place in late October.
Sugar Bowl is typical of most Tahoe ski resorts. It planned to open (Nov. 26) for the Thanksgiving holiday, but a lack of cold weather prevented them from making snow. That trend has continued this week.
“With the forecast calling for more mild and dry weather this week, we are pushing back our scheduled opening day,” a message on the Sugar Bowl website stated. “Our snowmaking team is ready to flip the switch on our high-powered fleet of snow guns across the resort, whenever conditions allow.”
BOREAL BREAKDOWN: Located off Interstate 80 on the Donner Summit, Boreal has benefitted from some low evening temperatures to make enough snow for its Castle Peak quad chair. The lift replaced three double chairs in 2008.
When operating at full speed, Boreal is a modest resort with six chairlifts and two surface lifts, and offers the only night skiing in Tahoe. Current hours are 9 am to 8 pm with lift ticket costs ranging from $39 to $60. Night skiing (3-8 pm) is $39.
Boreal’s niche has always been the allure of after-dark skiing and the many freestyle features like ramps, banks, jibs, and rails that appeal to daring skiers and riders. It’s also a terrific resort for beginners.
The mountain’s base elevation is 7,200 feet and the summit is 7,701 feet, making for a vertical drop of 501 feet. Boreal’s longest run is one mile.
Two other Tahoe ski resorts are currently open. However, their terrain is geared toward beginners and snow play activities.
At Palisades Tahoe, there is limited terrain open that’s only conducive for beginning skiers and riders. The First Venture chairlift and the Kaya Carpet are running from 9 am to 4 pm all week.
Beginner lessons and equipment rentals are available. The Aerial Tram is also open (10 am to 4 pm) for sightseeing only.
Family-friendly Soda Springs is open for snow play only – Friday through Sunday. Planet Kids has open access to some children’s activities at the Carousel and Snowplay area.
WEATHER FORECAST: The temperatures are expected to dip and there is a chance of snow next week, providing some hope for more Tahoe ski resort openings.
According to OpenSnow Forecaster Bryan Allegretto, a weak weather system arrives Monday that could bring a few rain and snow showers, along with colder air and gusty winds.
Allegretto says Tuesday (Dec. 7) and Wednesday look dry, but colder weather Thursday into Friday could bring another light storm that results in a bit more snow.
