A prediction of 4 feet of snow arrived at only one Tahoe ski resort. But a substantial amount of snow did drop from this week’s storm that began Sunday evening and concluded Wednesday morning.
Homewood Mountain reported 3 feet of snow from Tuesday’s snowfall and wound up with a two-day total of 52 inches, by far the most among Tahoe ski resorts. Sierra-at-Tahoe was reporting 39 inches Wednesday morning and Palisades Tahoe had 34 inches.
Sugar Bowl received 30 inches from this week’s storm, a cold one that produced light snow that blew all over the resort, thanks to strong winds. The resort was reporting some 4-foot drifts. The Sugar Bowl snowmaking has been working to take advantage of the low temperatures to help build up base.
“Between Mother Nature and our snowmaking team, we are getting set up nicely for opening day Nov. 25, conditions permitting,” a Sugar Bowl website blog stated. “As of now, we are 87% sold out of season passes, and the rest are expected to go quickly with the new snow.”
Mt. ROSE OPENING FRIDAY: Despite the considerable snowfall this week and colder than normal evening temperatures, as of Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 9) only one Tahoe ski resort will open this week – Mt. Rose in Nevada.
At its summit, Mt Rose received 15 inches of snow from the storm that ended Wednesday. To bolster its snow total, the resort has been making snow.
“It’s fantastic to see the storm door opening in a big way right now. The significant snowfall that’s expected, paired with cold temperatures and our robust snowmaking system, is going to allow us to get even more terrain open quickly,” said Mike Pierce, Mt. Rose marketing director. “At 8,260 feet, the highest base area elevation in Tahoe, Mt. Rose is where the snow is.”
Located off the Mt. Rose Highway, approximately 10 miles from Incline Village in North Lake Tahoe and 25 miles from Reno, Mt. Rose announced Monday plans to open for three days – starting Friday (Nov. 11) through Sunday for skiers and snowboarders.
Mt. Rose will be the second ski resort in California to open for the 2022-23 season. Mammoth Mountain, located on California’s Eastern Sierra range, opened Saturday for skiing and riding. Dodge Ridge in Tuolumne County (off highway 108) will also be opening Friday.
For opening weekend at Mt. Rose, top-to-bottom skiing and riding will be available from 9 am to 4 pm Friday through Sunday from the resort’s Main Lodge. Lifts likely to be operate include the Northwest Express and the Wizard beginner lifts, offering access to most of the beginner, intermediate and some advanced terrain on the Main Lodge side of the mountain.
All parking will be at the Main Lodge. Services will include the Lodgepole Cafe, Timbers Bar, Tuning center and rental shop, with season lease pick-up available. The Lodge will open at 8 am. All ski school lessons will begin Nov. 19.
Mt. Rose will be closed mid-week – Nov. 14-18 – so workers can finish the new Lakeview Express chairlift. The ski resort expects to reopen for daily operations Saturday, Nov. 19.
The Lakeview zone, a $7.5 million on-mountain expansion, will enhance and change the way skiers and riders experience Mt. Rose. The Lakeview lift caters to low-level and intermediate skiers and snowboarders, and the trail offers expansive views of Lake Tahoe and is the preferred route to access the popular Around the World trail.
GRANLIBAKKEN OPEN FOR SLEDDING: A favorite location for families, Granlibakken will open its sizable sledding hill this weekend.
Located in Tahoe City along Highway 89, historic Granlibakken is a secluded resort close to many Tahoe ski resorts that is sheltered in the Sierra Nevada pine trees at 6,350 feet.
Although skiing is currently not available, Granlibakken received 30 inches from this week’s storm, making for an excellent weekend for sledding.
DODGE RIDGE OPENING: The central California ski resort will feature on opening day Friday on its new Triple Nugget Chairlift 1, which was installed this summer. It’s the resort’s earliest opening in 20 years.
Dodge Ridge will also have Chairlifts 3, 5 and lessons on the Magic Carpet this weekend. The resort will work to open the Prospector Chairlift 7 for weekend operations if possible.
The resort will have a “celebration of winter” with its annual competition to see who can get first chair opening day. Prizes will be awarded for the first three skiers or boarders to load the Motherlode Chairlift 3 at 9 am.
For the opening weekend, lift ticket prices will be reduced to $89 for adults and teens, $69 for seniors and $32 for youth. Veteran’s Day is Friday and the resort will have free lift tickets for all active military and veterans who provide military ID at the ticket window.
TAHOE SNOW REPORT, OPENING DATES
- Mt. Rose: 15 inches, Nov. 11
- Northstar: 18 inches, Nov. 18
- Heavenly: NA, Nov. 18
- Palisades: 34 inches, Nov. 22
- Sugar Bowl: 30 inches, Nov. 25
- Kirkwood: 29 inches, Dec. 2
- Diamond Peak: 7 inches, Dec. 8
- Tahoe Donner: 24 inches, Dec. 9
- Granlibakken: 30, Dec. 18
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 39 inches, TBA
- Boreal: 21 inches, TBA
- Soda Springs: 12 inches, TBA
- Homewood: 52 inches, TBA
