Mother Nature always has the final say regarding the opening of ski season in Lake Tahoe.
And that will be the case again this season with a lack of snow and more importantly – high temperatures – putting the Tahoe ski season in a wait-and-see mode.
Check out PROJECTED TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENINGS below.
Located near Lake Tahoe off Mt. Rose Highway in Nevada, Mt. Rose was hoping to be the first Nevada ski resort to open again this season. However, betrayed by Mother Nature, the planned opening Saturday (Nov. 8) was postponed, delaying the official start of Lake Tahoe’s ski season.
Due to its high elevation on the Nevada side of the lake, Mt. Rose has traditionally been the first Tahoe area resort to spin its chairlifts. But Mike Pierce, a spokesperson for Mt. Rose, announced earlier this week that Saturday’s opening day had been postponed.
“Yes, we’ve got a little quick blizzard bearing down on us today (Nov. 6). But no, Mt. Rose will not open this weekend,” Pierce said. “But we’re optimistic about colder temps ahead that should allow us to crank up the snowmaking system.”
Pierce said warmer temperatures the past few weeks have kept the ski resort from running its snowmaking equipment. Mt. Rose will announce a new opening day once it has built up a larger base of snow.
YEARLY TRADITION: A year ago, Mt. Rose was the first Tahoe-area ski resort to open, ushering in skiers and snowboarders Nov. 8.
Mt. Rose was also the first Tahoe resort to open two years ago, kicking off the 2023 season on Nov. 10. It was first again in 2022 when it fired up its lifts Nov. 11.
The resort has consistently expanded its snowmaking equipment over the years so it can take advantage of cooler temperatures at its higher elevation. It also invested millions of additional dollars to buy additional equipment this offseason.
OPENING DATES: Ski resorts across Northern California are preparing to open for the 2025-26 winter season.
Resorts from South Lake Tahoe to Truckee are planning to welcome skiers and snowboarders as early as Nov. 21, depending on snow conditions. Although there are several storm systems approaching the Sierra Nevada, resort operators caution that opening dates may change based on weather. Anxious skiers and riders are encouraged to confirm directly with each resort before making travel plans.
PROJECTED TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENINGS
- Mt. Rose: TBA
- Boreal: Nov. 21
- Heavenly: Nov. 21
- Northstar California: Nov. 21
- Sugar Bowl: Nov. 21
- Palisades Tahoe: Nov. 26
- Granlibakken: Nov. 27
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: Nov. 28
- Soda Springs: Nov. 28
- Diamond Peak: Dec. 4
- Kirkwood: Dec. 5
- Homewood: Dec. 12
- Tahoe Donner: Dec. 19
