It’s not too early to begin thinking about the upcoming 2026-27 ski season.
Many Tahoe ski resorts have been contemplating the topic, with several pinpointing a planned season-opening date. However, as always, Mother Nature will play a huge role in deciding just when skiers and riders can actually start heading down their favorite slopes.
It’s still summer and temperatures are regularly in the 80s in the Lake Tahoe region, but ski resorts are making their winter plans. The resorts are hoping to take advantage of a season fueled by an anticipated Super El Niño snowfall, announcing opening dates in late November and early December.
“Could this be a big one? A possible Super El Niño is putting this winter on the radar,” Vail Resort’s Cole Zimmerman said. “No one can promise what the weather will deliver, but we’re watching closely. Your move, Mother Nature.”
No surprise to anyone who pays attention to resort openings – Mt. Rose is among the Tahoe ski resorts with an early projected opening date for the upcoming season – Friday, Nov. 20. Being the first resort in the Tahoe region has become a tradition for Mt. Rose, located off the Mt. Rose Highway in Nevada, approximately 10 miles from Incline Village in North Lake Tahoe and 25 miles from Reno.
For a fourth straight year last ski season, Mt. Rose became the first Tahoe resort to open for the season. A year ago, Mt. Rose’s season-opener was Nov. 21.
VAIL RESORT OPENINGS: The three Vail Resorts in Tahoe have recently announced tentative opening dates.
Heavenly and Northstar are both slated to open Nov. 20, which is roughly one week ahead of Thanksgiving. The third Vail resort in Tahoe – Kirkwood – plans to open Friday, Dec. 4.
“It may only be August, but we’re laser focused on preparing our resorts to deliver the best and most differentiated guest experience,” said Bill Rock, Vail Resorts Mountain Division president. “While no one can predict exactly what Mother Nature will deliver, the possibility of blockbuster snowfall has us feeling optimistic about the winter ahead.”
Located in South Lake Tahoe, last year Heavenly was not far behind Mt. Rose, staging its opening day Nov. 24. It was a memorable day for another reason – it was Heavenly’s 70th ski season.
Two other Tahoe resorts have also offered possible opening dates. Palisades Tahoe is hoping to open Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving. Boreal Mountain is projecting a Nov. 27 opening. An optimistic Mammoth Mountain is hoping for opening day on Friday, Nov. 13.
The National Weather Service says between October and December this year, there is a 69% chance of a historic event that would exceed previous El Niño events dating back to 1950.
The term “El Niño refers to the Christ child, which also came in winter. Climate scientists eventually adopted the term to describe the broader oceanic and atmospheric climate pattern, when warmer Pacific water drives thunderstorm activity, extending a jet stream that directs storm tracks and atmospheric rivers across the U.S. Southwest.
