Although anxious skiers and snowboarders await the opening of Lake Tahoe ski resorts, one California resort has begun running its lifts: Mammoth Mountain.
Mammoth Mountain had one of its largest opening-day crowds and currently has three lifts and nine runs available. In addition, the opening includes three bowls and six terrain park features.
Mammoth Mountain opened on Thursday (Nov. 10) with top-to-bottom access for skiers and riders, becoming the first ski resort in California and the first major resort in the western U.S. to open. Following a series of early-season storms that left a base of more than 3 feet at the summit, early season conditions in California’s Eastern Sierra are excellent for the second year in a row.
Mammoth Mountain had one of its largest opening-day crowds and currently has three lifts and nine runs available. In addition, the opening includes three bowls and six terrain park features.
Due to lack of snow, Mt. Rose in Nevada had to cancel its planned Halloween Day opening and Boreal Mountain also postponed its Nov. 4 opening. Both Squaw Valley and neighboring Alpine Meadows were hoping to open Friday (Nov. 11) but warm temperatures and not enough man-made snow spoiled those plans. Both resorts have pushed back opening day to Nov. 23.
The October precipitation and cold temperatures, combined with recent snowfall, have created a good opportunity to begin snowmaking at Tahoe’s Vail Resorts — Heavenly Mountain, Northstar California and Kirkwood Mountain Resorts. Weather permitting, all three resorts are scheduled to open Nov. 18.
Tentative Lake Tahoe Opening Dates
- Northstar: Nov. 18
- Heavenly: Nov. 18
- Kirkwood: Nov. 18
- Squaw Valley: Nov. 23
- Alpine Meadows: Nov. 23
- Homewood: Dec. 9
- Diamond Peak: Dec. 15
- Sugar Bowl: TBA
- Mt. Rose: TBA
- Boreal Mountain: TBA
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: TBA
- Tahoe Donner: TBA
- Soda Springs: TBA
- Donner Ski Ranch: TBA
- Granlibakken: TBA
