In a normal weather year, this bit of news would not have created much interest. A modest dropping of snow in the Lake Tahoe region – yawn!
Yet this is not a normal weather year, so ski resorts reporting up to 5 inches of snowfall from Saturday’s mild storm is actually news, very good news indeed. It was the first snow in Lake Tahoe since Dec. 7.
Conditions at Sierra-at-Tahoe
That’s the way it’s being viewed at Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort, located off Highway 50 heading intoLake Tahoe. The resort received 2 inches of snow Saturday and now reports 6 inches at its base and 22 at the summit.
“We’re excited to see winter return. It is always nice to get a fresh blanket of snow and freshen up the mountain,” said Sierra-at-Tahoe spokesperson Steve Hemphill. “Despite rumors and a slow start, conditions are great and we highly recommend you come ski/ride it to believe it.”
Not far away in South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain received 2-3 inches of snow, while Kirkwood Mountain was reporting 3-4 inches.
Sugar Bowl gets 5 inches of fresh snow
On Tahoe’s north shore area, Sugar Bowl ski resort was reporting the most snow with 3-5 inches. Mt. Rose ski resort got 3-4 inches, while neighboring Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley received 3-inch totals.
Diamond Peak reports good conditions
Diamond Peak ski resort, located in Incline Village, got 3 inches of fresh snow and has snow totals of 20 inches at its base and 30 on its peak. Like most Tahoe resorts, DiamondPeak has been making snow and prides itself on its capability.
“Our snowmaking philosophy is to go deep before we move to another trail,” said Brad Wilson, Diamond Peak’s general manager. “This practice has really paid off this season. Granted, we don’t have the variety that the big boys do, but also don’t have the obstacles or run density. This little resort was the first resort in the basin to install snowmaking back in 1967.
“I have heard from countless skiers and riders and have seen it myself, Diamond Peak has the best coverage, along with that the best snow surface,” added Wilson. “The new snow and great overnight snow making temperatures bring us back to excellent mid-winter conditions.”
Following Saturday’s storm, it’s back to Tahoe bluebird days. It’s expected to be sunny with temperatures ranging from the upper 30s to mid-40s today and throughout the week at most ski resorts.
The Weather Channel is forecasting sunny days and no snow through next Saturday (Jan. 18).
Lake Tahoe Snow Report for Sunday morning
ALPINE MEADOWS
New Snow: 2-3″
Snow depth: 20-23″
Location: Highway 89, six miles west of TahoeCity
Website: www.skialpine.com
BOREAL
New Snow: 3″
Snow depth: 34″
Location: Interstate 80 at Donner Summit
Website: www.rideboreal.com
DIAMOND PEAK
New Snow: 3″
Snow depth: 20-30″
Location: Highway 431, InclineVillage
Website: www.diamondpeak.com
DONNER SKI RANCH
New Snow: not reported
Snow depth: not reported
Location: Old Highway 40, Donner Summit
Website: www.donnerskiranch.com
HEAVENLY
New Snow: 2-3″
Base snow depth: 31-59″
Location: Ski Run Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe
Website: www.skiheavenly.com
HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT
New Snow: 1-3″
Base snow depth: 15-18″
Location: Highway 89, six miles south of TahoeCity
Website: www.skihomewood.com
KIRKWOOD
New Snow: 3-4″
Snow depth: 21″
Location: Highway 88 in Kirkwood
Website: www.kirkwood.com
MT. ROSE
New Snow: 2-4″
Snow depth: 16-24″
Location: Mt. Rose Highway in Reno
Website: www.skirose.com
NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA
New Snow: 1-4″
Snow depth: 25-30″
Location: Highway 267 near Truckee
Website: www.NorthstarCalifornia.com
SIERRA-AT-TAHOE
New Snow: 2″
Snow depth: 6-22
Location: Highway 50, 12 miles west of South Lake Tahoe
Website: www.sierraattahoe.com
SODA SPRINGS
New Snow: 3″
Snow depth: 24″
Location: Location: Interstate 80, Soda Springs exit
Website: www.skisodasprings.com
SQUAW VALLEY
New Snow: 1-3″
Snow depth: 19-23″
Location: Highway 89, six miles from TahoeCity
Website: www.squaw.com
SUGAR BOWL
New Snow: 3-5″
Snow depth: 16-30″
Location: Interstate 80, Norden exit
Website: www.sugarbowl.com
TAHOE DONNER
New Snow: 1-3″
Snow depth: 6-10″
Location: DonnerState Park exit off Interstate 80, Northwoods Boulevard
Website: www.skitahoedonner.com
