It’s always interesting to see who will be the first ski resort to open in the Lake Tahoe region. For the third year in a row, that honor belongs to Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, which announced today it would begin operation Friday (Oct. 27) and Saturday.
A year ago, Mt. Rose opened for skiers and snowboarders on Halloween, thanks to a sizable snow storm that left a reported 7-18 inches of fresh snow on the mountain. Mt. Rose also was the first Tahoe-area resort to open for the 2015-16 season and shared that honor with Boreal Mountain one year earlier.
This year, the cool evening temperatures were the reason Mt. Rose was able to make snow and become the first resort to open, beating Boreal, another resort that loves to be hailed as the first to open in the Tahoe region.
Mt. Rose announced today it will open Friday and Saturday for skiing and snowboarding. The first resort to open in the Lake Tahoe area for a fall tease ahead of the 2017-18 winter season, Mt. Rose will offer access to one beginner ski trail, accessed by the Wizard chairlift from 8 a.m. to noon on both days.
Lift tickets will be available for $20 for guests ages 16-over, and $10 for children ages 15 and under.
“At 8,260 feet, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe has the highest base area elevation at Lake Tahoe, so cold early season overnight temperatures have allowed our snowmaking team to work their magic over the last week,” said Mike Pierce, director of marketing for Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe.
“We were able to maximize the efficiency of our snowmaking system and stockpile enough snow to provide our guests with access to one trail so they can get back on their skis and snowboards. As conditions permit, and with Mother Nature’s help, we will continue to make snow and open more terrain and really get the season underway in the coming weeks.”
Located in Nevada off Mt. Rose Highway near North Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose is just 25 minutes from Reno and has the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 feet.
The Lodgepole Café and Timbers Bar will be open the next two days from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Equipment rentals and ski lessons will not be offered. However, guests will be able to pick-up season leases and purchase season passes.
Following last season’s six-month winter season with record-setting snow totals, Mt. Rose will aim for that goal again this year. After this weekend, the resort will resume lift operations and open additional terrain as weather and conditions permit.
For more information about resort services, conditions, or to purchase a lift ticket or season pass, visit www.skirose.com.
