Due to colder weather in the forecast and snow from a much-needed storm, Heavenly and Kirkwood ski resorts announced they would be opening Saturday (December 11).
Snowfall began Wednesday evening and by Thursday morning (Dec. 9) Kirkwood had received 6 inches and Heavenly recorded 5 inches. The third Vail Resort in Tahoe – Northstar California – remains closed as of Thursday.
“Early season conditions currently exist, and we require skiers and riders to observe all posted signs and warnings for their safety,” said Vail Resort spokesperson Sara Roston. “Closed trails may contain hazards due to limited natural snow coverage and snowmaking operations.”
In typical seasons, all three Vail resorts and many others throughout Tahoe would already have been open. However, this season is off to a slow start due to lack of snow, and even more importantly, the lack of low temperatures that are conducive for snowmaking.
The addition of Heavenly and Kirkwood brings the total to six Tahoe ski resorts open for the 2021-22 season. Mt. Rose in Nevada near Incline Village, had its opening day Friday (Dec. 10).
Boreal Mountain was able to make snow and open the day after Thanksgiving, operating one lift. Palisades Tahoe has been limited to a beginner surface lift, while Soda Springs has been open weekends for snowplay only.
HEAVENLY TERRAIN: Available trails for skiing and snowboarding will be Gunbarrel Express, Aerial Tramway, Patsy’s Chair, and Powderbowl Express. Lifts are open at 8:30 am.
The Tamarack Lodge, Café Blue, Stein’s, and California Lodge will all be open Saturday.
KIRKWOOD TERRAIN: The resort will operate Chair 5 (Solitude) with access to the Outlaw trail. The lift will begin loading at 9 am.
At Kirkwood, the Wall Bar, K Bar, Monte Wolf’s, and the General Store will all be available opening day.
NORTHSTAR UPDATE: Located off Highway 267 in North Lake Tahoe, Northstar will continue to evaluate the forecast and is expected to share an update on its opening day soon.
“It is important to remember each resort is unique in location, terrain, weather patterns, altitude, and needs to open for the season,” Reston said. “Northstar is dedicated to providing the best early season conditions possible.”
COVID PROTOCOLS
- Both Heavenly and Kirkwood will not use a reservation system this season and will load lifts and gondolas at normal capacity, optimizing guest movement around our resorts.
- Face coverings are required for guests in all of our indoor spaces. including restaurants, lodging properties, restrooms, retail and rental locations, and on buses.
- Guests ages 12-over will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations to dine at our indoor, on-mountain cafeteria-style restaurants. This requirement includes those guests 12-over enrolled in ski and ride school programs that include lunch.
- Guests should book reservations for on-hill dining via the EpicMix app or the resort website. This year, reservations will be available beginning the day before, so it’s easy to plan your weekend.
WEATHER UPDATE: The snow throughout the Tahoe region continued Thursday morning and was expected to stop during early afternoon.
But the bigger news is that much of Northern California and the Tahoe region should get walloped by a much larger storm that is expected to move in Sunday (Dec. 12) and last through Tuesday. There’s also a chance of snow Wednesday and Thursday.
According to OpenSnow Forecaster Bryan Allegretto, the second storm will have low pressure and slowly move south down the coast Sunday through Tuesday. Ridgetop wind gusts could increase to 100 mph.
A deep trough is going to dig south along the West Coast Sunday into Monday,” Allegretto said. “The trough will be bringing down more cold air, which is going to help keep snow levels low with this storm.”
