Mother Nature must approve of Ski Week because she delivered some terrific conditions for skiers and snowboarders this week at Tahoe ski resorts.
Over a four-day stretch – starting Saturday (Feb. 17) and concluding Tuesday – the Tahoe region received up to 3 feet of snow, resulting in the last five days of annual Ski Week being terrific sunny, weather-friendly ones to be on the slopes.
Both Mt. Rose and Kirkwood received 3 feet of snow during the four-day stretch when snow frequently was falling throughout the Tahoe area. Sierra-at-Tahoe and Palisades Tahoe each got 30 inches of snow, while four other Tahoe ski resorts got 25 or more inches during the storm period.
SEE TAHOE SNOW REPORT BELOW
Since the start of January, snowfall has been a regular thing in Tahoe. Sugar Bowl has been the biggest recipient of snow. It has received 9 feet of snow in the past three weeks and is reporting 264 inches (at its summit) for the 2023-24 season, the most among Tahoe ski resorts.
“Magical snowfall has been swirling around Sugar Bowl for the entire month of February,” Sugar Bowl stated in an email. “(Tuesday) we officially broke 100 inches of snowfall in one month. Everywhere you turn there are snow-stacked roofs, tree branches laden down with snow, and pillows of fresh snow all over the mountain.”
After a very slow start to the Lake Tahoe ski season when snow totals were dramatically down in December, there have been regular small to medium snowstorms in Tahoe that led to many POW days. There were several more this week to the delight of many skiers and riders on the busy slopes in Tahoe.
MT. ROSE EXTENDS FRIDAY HOURS: The Nevada ski resort, located approximately 10 miles from Incline Village in North Lake Tahoe and 25 miles from Reno. will be bringing back its popular “Open Late Fridays,” starting Friday (Feb. 23).
For the remainder of the season, Mt. Rose will stay open two additional hours on Fridays, spinning select chairlifts until 6 p.m. The resort is trying to make the most of longer days – Daylight Saving Time starts March 10 – and good mid-winter snow conditions, thanks to 223 inches of snow this season.
The two-hour extension of its Friday operations gives skiers and riders the opportunity to take “bonus runs” or kick off the weekend with an afternoon on the mountain.
Mt. Rose is offering a highly affordable $69 Friday lift ticket that can be purchased at noon or later each Friday.
The Lakeview Express, Wizard and Magic lifts will stay open late, along with the Snowdeck off the Lakeside trail, offering music, libations, and views of Lake Tahoe. The Timbers Bar and Lodgepole cafe in the main lodge will also remain open late on Fridays.
“Because of recent storms and with our base being at 8,26 feet, mid-winter conditions are ideal right now,” said Mt. Rose spokesperson Mike Pierce. “Mt. Rose has long been known for finding creative ways to add value for skiers and riders. Not only do we offer one of the longest seasons in Tahoe, ‘Open Late Fridays’ may be redefining happy hour.”
TAHOE SNOW REPORT (totals Feb. 17-20)
- Mt. Rose: 10-14-8-4 – 36 inches
- Kirkwood: 4-18-10-4 – 36 inches
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 3-15-9-3 – 30 inches
- Palisades Tahoe: 8-6-7-9 – 30 inches
- Sugar Bowl: 7-10-2-10 – 29 inches
- Northstar: 6-11-7-4 – 28 inches
- Heavenly: 2-16-8-1 – 27 inches
- Homewood: 4-6-9-6 – 25 inches
- Tahoe Donner: 4-8-5-4 – 21 inches
- Diamond Peak: 2-7-6-3 – 18 inches
- Boreal: 6-14-X-8 – NA
- Granlibakken: 4-X-X-X – NA
- Soda Springs: 4-X-X-8 – NA
