The addition of some fresh snow will be a welcome sight to the five Lake Tahoe ski resorts that will be open Thanksgiving Day.
If you happen to be in Lake Tahoe for the holidays, a hot turkey dinner and making a few turns at a Tahoe ski resort can be on the Thanksgiving menu.
Thanks to snowmaking, there will be five Lake Tahoe ski resorts open for Thanksgiving – Northstar California, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Heavenly Mountain, Mt. Rose, and Boreal Mountain. All five resorts have limited terrain, but the good news is the cool evening temperatures have been ideal for making snow.
A sixth Lake Tahoe ski resort – Kirkwood Mountain – is scheduled to open Saturday, Nov. 24.
The wait is over for anxious skiers and snowboarders. The first snow of the season arrived Wednesday (Nov. 21) at Lake Tahoe ski resorts.
According to Opensnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto, the first storm moves in today, producing high winds, rain, and snow. The snow levels should start around 7,000 feet and drop near lake level by Wednesday night. There could be 6-15 inches of snow on area ski resorts by Thanksgiving morning.
“The storm doors have opened and we’re grateful for the ski and holiday season to be underway,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.
Here’s a look at Lake Tahoe ski resorts.
Mt. Rose: The popular Nevada ski resort was the first to open this season (Oct. 19) and may have the most terrain available for the Thanksgiving holidays.
Mt. Rose has three lifts operating: Northwest Magnum 6, Wizard, and Magic (conveyor). Runs include the Upper Northwest down through the Kit Carson Bowl. Beginner trails are open off the Wizard lift, including a Terrain Park on Mystic
Northstar California: The resort off Highway 267 has six trails open. Additional terrain opened this week, including the Big Easy quad chairlift with access to Easy Street trail.
Squaw Valley: The Tram is the main transportation for many skiers and riders at Squaw, who can head down the long and wide Mountain Run. There are also two magic carpets and the First Venture chairlift with access to SnoVentures Activity Zone, where beginner terrain is available.
Alpine Meadows: Kangaroo is the only chair operating, providing access to one run.
Heavenly Mountain: Like Northstar, Heavenly opened last week. The famed South Lake Tahoe ski resort has the Gondola and Tamarack chair open for skiers and riders. The Tamarack Terrain and California Trail are both open.
Like all Lake Tahoe ski resorts, Heavenly expects to be opening more terrain soon.
“We’ll be opening more terrain as soon as conditions permit,” said Heavenly Mountain spokesperson Zak Sos.
Boreal Mountain: The Castle Peak chairlift is running at Boreal, which was the second Lake Tahoe ski resort to open (Nov. 9) this season.
Sugar Bowl update: The popular Lake Tahoe ski resort, located off Interstate-80 at the Norden exit, is expected to open Nov. 30, weather permitting. Sugar Bowl has enhanced snowmaking system for the 2018-19 season.
Soda Springs Mountain: The family-friendly resort that caters to young children opened Planet Kids and Tube Town last week, marking the resort’s earliest opening in 85 years of operation.
