The unseasonably warm weather and the diminishing snowpack has altered the season closing date for yet one more Tahoe ski resort.
Due to the high temperatures the Lake Tahoe region has experienced this month and all winter long, Diamond Peak ski resort reluctantly made the decision to end its 60th season prematurely with a closing date of Sunday, March 29.
The latest announcement came Friday (March 20) as Diamond Peak became the fifth Tahoe ski resort ending its season in March, an unusual occurrence for a region where typically resorts are open for skiing and riding until mid-April and beyond.
That number became six closed resorts when Soda Springs shut down March 22 due to “deteriorating snow conditions.”
“Given the low snowfall and warmer-than-average temperatures we’ve experienced this ski season, this winter has been very challenging from an operations standpoint,” said Diamond Peak General Manager Mike Bandelin.
SEE PROJECTED TAHOE SKI RESORT CLOSING DATES BELOW
After thinking it would close this weekend, Homewood Mountain pushed up its date, shutting down for the season after skiers and riders took their final runs Tuesday, March 17.
Joining Homewood in the March closure club were Sierra-at-Tahoe and Tahoe Donner, who both made March 22 (Sunday) their final day of the season.
A fourth Tahoe ski resort – Granlibakken – is likely to close Sunday as well. The venerable resort focuses more on sledding than skiing and has already closed the upper 50% of its ski hill due to lack of snow. Two other California resorts – Dodge Ridge, Mt. Shasta – are already closed.
On Thursday, Diamond Peak was trying to take an optimistic outlook regarding a definitive closing date. All its lifts were operating March 19 and the only closures were the resort’s gladed tree-skiing zones.
“Our originally planned closing date for the season was April 19. So, at this point it’s looking very likely that we will close before that date,” Diamond Peak spokesperson Paul Raymore said. “Given the lack of snow this season and the unseasonably warm weather the Tahoe area is experiencing this spring, Diamond Peak is doing everything we can to extend the season as long as possible.”
Crystal Express Lift Closes: Friday was a sad day for Diamond Peak because it ceased operations on the upper mountain (Crystal Express chairlift) and the focus changed to maximizing the snow quality on the lower mountain terrain that remains open through March 29.
The resort plans to operate the Lakeview, Lodgepole and School House chairlifts, as well as the Pete’s Powerline surface lift inside the Child Ski & Ride Center.
$60 Deals for Remainder of Season: Diamond Peak will be extending its old-school pricing – “$60 Deal Days” – throughout the final week of the season. Starting March 21, all lift tickets, ski or snowboard rental packages, and first-time learn-to-ski and learn-to-ride lesson packages are just $60 each.
Upcoming Events: Diamond Peak will still host the Luggi Foeger Uphill/Downhill Festival & SkiMo Race on Saturday, March 28, with a modified lower-mountain course. And on Sunday, the resort will host the 24th annual Dummy Downhill – the resort’s biggest spring party on the snow! More details can be found on the Diamond Peak website.
CLOSING TIME: Tentative closing dates Tahoe ski resorts
- Homewood: March 17
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: March 22
- Tahoe Donner: March 22
- Granlibakken: March 22
- Soda Springs: March 22
- Diamond Peak: March 29
- Boreal: April 5
- Northstar: April 12
- Sugar Bowl: April 12
- Heavenly: April 19
- Kirkwood: April 19
- Mt. Rose: April 26
- Palisades Tahoe: TBD
