Tahoe Ski World

skiing in Lake Tahoe

Heavenly, Northstar begin snowmaking

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The snowmaking systems at Heavenly and Northstar ski resorts in Lake Tahoe are now operating. Can the 2025-26 ski season be far away?

The guns have been turned on and Heavenly ski resort has started making snow for the 2025-26 season.

“Our snowmaking systems are fired up and so are we,” a press release Monday stated. “Heavenly and Northstar have officially kicked off snowmaking for the 2025-2026 ski and ride season as we work toward our Nov. 21 planned opening date.

Mother Nature will definitely have a say in when the season begins – real snow or cool temperatures that allow snowmaking are two key ingredients in getting a Tahoe ski resort ready to start running their lifts.

Scheduled Opening Dates

Cold overnight temperatures at high elevations were responsible for Heavenly and Northstar to begin building a base for opening day skiers and snowboarders.

“Our teams will continue to monitor snowmaking conditions and weather patterns as we inch closer to opening day,” the release stated.

This snowmaking update follows the Tahoe region’s first true snowfall of the season Oct. 15. It brought over a foot of snow at Kirkwood, nearly of foot of snow at Heavenly and about 6 inches at Northstar. While not all the snow stuck around, some of it did.

Season Pass Information: Epic Pass prices are set to increase after Nov. 16 for all three Vail Resorts in Tahoe.

Northstar started making snow Oct. 15 in preparation for its planned Nov. 21 opening.

Whether you’re looking to ski one to seven days with the Epic Day Pass or all winter long with the Tahoe Local Pass, Kirkwood, Heavenly and Northstar all have different options. The new Epic Friend Tickets – six 50-percent off lift tickets for friends and family – provides another option for the upcoming season.

Heavenly: For its 70th anniversary season, Heavenly is celebrating with new and returning events including the Celebrity Banked Slalom, Toyota Air and Apres, the return of special DJ events, and an anniversary celebration.

Northstar California: Reveling in the social side of skiing, Epic Friends tickets debut as a new benefit for season-long passholders, offering 50-percent off lift tickets.

Kirkwood: The plan is for a full lineup of fan-favorite events and freeride competitions, including Winter Solstice Kickoff Party, New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, Women’s Weekend, Proud to Be Me Week, Banked Slalom, Slush Cup, IFSA competitions, and Freeride World Qualifier.