Thanks to a strong three days of snowfall in the past week, the Tahoe ski season will be going out with a bang instead of a whimper.
It’s been a highly disappointing ski season in Lake Tahoe and also in all western resorts, where snow totals were unanimously below average. Six Tahoe ski resorts shockingly closed in March and four more only made it until April 5.
This month, Colorado reported its worst snowpack since statewide recordkeeping began in 1941.
But following zero snow and unseasonably warm weather from late February through early April, winter surprisingly returned to Tahoe, where temperatures sharply dropped and snow piled up at the three Tahoe ski resorts – Palisades Tahoe, Kirkwood, Mt. Rose – that remain open.
Palisades Tahoe has yet to announce a closing date, while both Mt. Rose and Kirkwood will have their final day of the season Sunday (April 19).
According to OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto, the storm pushed April’s snowfall total to around 70 inches thus far, marking the snowiest April since 2022. Allegretto says the season total now sits at approximately 348 inches, or about 88% of the seasonal average for this time of year.
And more good news is the temperatures this week should remain low for this time of year and a smattering of snow is expected. Despite the good news, don’t expect the season to be extended any further.
Mt. Rose: The Nevada resort near Incline Village got 26 inches from the recent storms, bringing its season snow total to 284 inches at its summit.
Even though conditions have improved, this week Mt. Rose is closed Monday through Thursday (April 16), then reopens for the final three days of the season. A pond skim is scheduled for Saturday at noon.
“This should be the final weekend at Mt. Rose. We were the first to open in Tahoe and one of the last to close,” Mt. Rose spokesperson Mike Pierce said. “We rarely end the season due to lack of coverage; it’s more the lack of interest as other spring activities tend to take over.”
Palisades Tahoe: The resort’s three-day snow total reached 43 inches, giving the resort 348 inches of snow this season.
The Alpine side of the mountain is closed for the season and many of the favorite lifts at Palisades Tahoe have been shut down, but there’s still enough runs available to keep avid skiers and snowboarders happy.
“At this time, we don’t have a set closing date. We’re ready to keep the lifts spinning as long as conditions allow,” Palisades Tahoe spokesperson Patrick Lacey said. “As one of the last Tahoe resorts open, we have many ticket offers for anyone to come and enjoy the slopes.”
Kirkwood: Located off Highway 88, 35 miles from South Lake Tahoe, the resort also was blessed, adding 42 inches to its snow total, which brings it to 324 inches for the 2025-26 season.
“The fresh snowfall has restored winter conditions across the mountain, with top-to-bottom, side-to-side coverage and all frontside lifts currently in operation,” said Kirkwood spokesperson Carly Mangan. “Cold overnight temperatures delivered the light, dry powder that skiers and riders wait all season for, setting up excellent late-season conditions across the mountain.”
Mammoth Mountain: Located on California’s Eastern Sierra range, approximately 100 miles south of the Nevada state line and 50 minutes from the eastern gate of Yosemite, the resort is currently scheduled to close Sunday, June 15.
Known for its “Second Season” (spring-summer skiing), the Mammoth generally operates through at least Memorial Day, with lift operations shifting to the Main Lodge after April 20.
Mammoth Mountain was operating 16 lifts Wednesday morning. Another couple of inches of snow was possible this week.
“While fresh snow may look inviting, hazards like dirt, rocks, and bushes remain just below the surface. Ski and ride with caution and avoid venturing off trail,” a Mammoth spokesperson said.
Closing dates Tahoe ski resorts
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- Homewood: March 17
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: March 22
- Tahoe Donner: March 22
- Soda Springs: March 22
- Granlibakken: March 22
- Diamond Peak: March 29
- Heavenly: April 5
- Boreal: April 5
- Northstar: April 5
- Sugar Bowl: April 5
- Kirkwood: April 19a
- Mt. Rose: April 19
- Palisades Tahoe: TBD
