Five more Lake Tahoe ski resorts will close Sunday (April 23).
The five ski resorts – Soda Springs, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Diamond Peak, Northstar California, Boreal Mountain – went out in style with a nice bluebird day of skiing and riding. The closings come despite plenty of snow at the resorts, which is why three other Tahoe ski resorts will remain open after this weekend.
It’s been quite the ski season for Lake Tahoe ski resorts. By mid-March, there were eight Lake Tahoe ski resorts that had received 600 or more inches this season.
Historically, the average annual snowfall at upper elevations in the Lake Tahoe-Truckee region is 450 inches. Five Lake Tahoe ski resorts (Sugar Bowl, Northstar, Mount Rose, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain) had 700 or more inches for the 2016-17 season.
Thanks to its enormous snow totals, Sugar Bowl announced Thursday that it would be extending its season to May 7. Daily operations will continue through Sunday, April 23. Sugar Bowl will run its lifts Friday through Monday on April 28-30 and May 5-7.
The only U.S. ski resort with more snow than Sugar Bowl (782 inches) is Mt. Baker in Washington state, which has 808 inches. However, unlike Sugar Bowl, Mt. Baker recently closed.
“This season has been tremendous from start to finish. The storms kept skiers and riders energized all year which translated into steady visitation throughout, including in the spring when interest in skiing and riding tends to wane,” Sugar Bowl spokesperson Jon Slaughter said.
Mount Rose ski resort will remain open for another five weeks, closing for good on Memorial Day (May 29). Located on Mount Rose Highway in Nevada, Mount Rose announced this week that it will be starting a weekend schedule. The resort will be open Thursday through Sunday and close the other three days until Memorial Day.
The 761 inches this season shatters the old Mount Rose mark of 600 inches in 1994-95. The ski resort has recorded 500 or more inches five times in its history.
“It’s been a record season in a big way. We should easily make 800 inches by the time we close,” said Mount Rose spokesperson Mike Pierce said. “This season just won’t quit, and we can’t say we’re not happy about it. The conditions have been phenomenal.”
Following more snow earlier this week, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows now has 705 inches of snow. The season was already going to be an extremely long one for Squaw Valley. While Alpine Meadows stops running lifts every day of the week after April 30, and goes to weekends only through May 14, Squaw is committed to offering skiing and riding through May, possibly moving to weekends only in June, and finally shutting down Fourth of July.
Located mid-mountain at Northstar California, the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe has enjoyed a great ski season in regards to lodging numbers, thanks to the abundance of snow. The ski season ended today.
“The significant snowfall this winter has given us the most beautiful spring skiing conditions, and we couldn’t be happier about the results,” said Robin Penning, Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe spokesperson. “With Northstar California Resort in our backyard, we experienced many bluebird days with optimal skiing conditions this winter and spring. Guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe were thrilled to have the opportunity to get in more ski days this year.”
Closing dates for Lake Tahoe resorts.
- Homewood: April 16
Thanks to 705 inches of snow this season, Squaw Valley ski resort in Lake Tahoe will be offering skiing and riding on Fourth of July. - Kirkwood Mountain: April 16
- Tahoe Donner: April 16
- Donner Ski Ranch: April 17
- Granlibakken: April 17
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: April 23
- Diamond Peak: April 23
- Northstar: April 23
- Boreal Mountain: April 23
- Heavenly Mountain: April 30
- Soda Springs: April 23
- Sugar Bowl: May 7
- Mount Rose: May 29
- Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows: July 4
