There’s only one day left in summer, but it’s already looking like winter, thanks to the first snowfall at Lake Tahoe ski resorts Thursday.
Forecasters were calling this an unseasonably cool weather system that could drop 3 to 6 inches of snow along Interstate 80 above 7,000 feet. Up to 8 inches was possible over higher peaks of the Sierra Nevada.
“Since late September is an unusually early time for this amount of snow we have decided to issue a winter weather advisory above 7,000 feet with main concern near Donner pass,” the National Weather Service reported.
Just over two months since Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows concluded skiing and snowboarding for the 2016-17 season, the resort reported 3 inches of fresh snow by late Thursday morning with more in the forecast.
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, which closed in mid-July for the 2016-17 season, is looking to once again host Tahoe’s longest season, with an anticipated opening date of Nov. 17, weather and conditions permitting.
Following last year’s historic winter where Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows received more than 60 feet of cumulative snowfall, the resort is eager to kick off the 2017-18 season.
Skiers and riders looking for season-long access can purchase the 2017-18 Tahoe Super Pass starting at $519 for adults and gain access to 6,000 acres, 42 lifts and over 270 trails. Tahoe Super Pass Gold passholders also receive 50-percent off at all Mountain Collective Resorts.
The first snow of the season also fell Thursday at Sugar Bowl Resort on Donner Summit near Lake Tahoe.
Sugar Bowl is gearing up for the winter season and intends to open as soon as weather and conditions permit. Last season, the resort opened Nov. 25 and experienced one of its biggest seasons on record.
Traffic fatality on I-80: The early season storm turned deadly Thursday as a slick roadway on Highway 80 triggered a chain reaction crash involving 16 vehicles and at least one fatality. One man died when his pickup truck crashed into a truck. A few other people reportedly had minor injuries.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash happened about 11:05 a.m. between Cisco Grove and Emigrant Gap. Traffic was diverted at Kingvale as Highway 80 was closed.
