Tahoe Ski World

skiing in Lake Tahoe

Mt. Rose first Tahoe ski resort to open

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Despite its planned opening day being delayed by nearly two weeks, Mt. Rose ski resort began running its lifts Friday (Nov. 21), becoming the first Tahoe-area ski resort to open for the 2025-26 season

There was a long line this morning at the Lakeview Express lift, where Mt. Rose skiers and snowboarders anxiously awaited there first runs down the mountain.

The anticipation was palpable as skiers and riders lined up early Friday morning for the first rides up the Nevada ski resort, which is located off the Mt. Rose Highway, approximately 10 miles from Incline Village in North Lake Tahoe and 25 miles from Reno.

SEE PROJECTED TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENINGS BELOW

For a fourth straight year, Mt. Rose became the first ski resort in the Tahoe region to open for the season. A year ago, Mt. Rose’s season-opener was Nov. 8. 

Mt. Rose was also the first Nevada ski resort to kick off the new season.

“Every year, one of our goals is to be the first Tahoe area resort to open, and to offer one of the longest ski and ride seasons in the region,” said Mike Pierce, the Mt. Rose marketing and sales director. “Thanks to the recent storms combined with the highest base area elevation at 8,260 feet, we’re excited to offer folks the ability to get on snow for their first turns of the season.”

Due to a lack of snow and unseasonably high temperatures that weren’t conducive for snowmaking, Mt. Rose had to push back this season’s planned Nov. 8 opening. But help arrived with snow over the weekend and early this week, giving Mt. Rose enough coverage to warrant an opening.

Snowmaking played a role in Mt. Rose becoming the first Tahoe-area ski resort to open for a fourth straight season.

The resort received 6-8 inches of new snow Thursday, bringing its early-season total to 27 inches at its summit. That allowed Mt. Rose to operate the Lakeview Express chair lift and accessing three intermediate trails – Kit Carson Traverse, Kit Carson Bowl and Ponderosa. The resort hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Terrain park features in the Pondo Park are expected to come online beginning Saturday, Nov. 22. Skiers and riders should anticipate early-season conditions and snowmaking operations in progress. Mt. Rose says it anticipates opening more trails, including beginner terrain, in the coming days as snowmaking moves to full force.

All parking is available at the Main Lodge. Services are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will include the Lodgepole Cafe, Higher Grounds Coffee Bar, and Timbers. Equipment Rental. The Tuning Center will be open and private instruction will be available starting Saturday for those interested in taking a lesson.

Advanced online lift tickets are available at skirose.com. Note that Wildslide snowtubing will not be available until snow conditions and snowmaking allow for lane construction.

MAMMOTH OPENER: After a short delay spurred by low snowfall, Mammoth Mountain became the first California ski resort to open, offering top-to-bottom skiing and riding Thursday (Nov. 20).

Mammoth Mountain opened Nov. 20, becoming the first California ski resort to open this season.

The ski resort originally planned to open on Nov. 14. But disappointing snow storms didn’t produce as much snow as hoped. Since then, temperatures have fallen and the snow began to stack up.

Mammoth had seven lifts and 54 trails available for its opener. More lifts and terrain are expected through the weekend, according to a Mammoth spokesperson.

As of Thursday morning, Mammoth’s season snow total was 36 inches, with a foot of snow arriving during a three-day period.

BOREAL, SIERRA DELAY OPENINGS: Typically one of Tahoe’s first resorts to open, Boreal Mountain announced Thursday that it’s planned opening (Nov. 21) has been pushed back due to a lack of snow.

Sierra-at-Tahoe said its Nov. 28 plans for opening will be delayed due to a lack of snow coverage.

Boreal is located off Interstate 80 at Donner Summit and is the only Tahoe ski resort to offer night skiing and riding.

Located off Highway 50, 12 miles west of South Lake Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe said its Nov. 28 plans for opening will be delayed due to a lack of snow coverage.

“We know skiers and riders have been waiting for opening day as much as we have,” a statement from Sierra said. “While this week’s storm brought highly anticipated snowfall and our teams have been working hard to set up the resort, we’re still short of the base we need to open for skiing and snowboarding on Nov. 28.”

PROJECTED TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENINGS

  • Mt. Rose: open Nov. 21
  • Heavenly: TBA
  • Northstar California: TBA
  • Boreal: TBA
  • Sierra-at-Tahoe: TBA
  • Palisades Tahoe: Nov. 26
  • Granlibakken: Nov. 27
  • Sugar Bowl: Nov. 28
  • Soda Springs: Nov. 28
  • Diamond Peak: Dec. 4
  • Kirkwood: Dec. 5
  • Homewood: Dec. 12
  • Tahoe Donner: Dec. 19