This has become an annual occurrence. Mt. Rose will once again be the first Lake Tahoe ski resort to open for the 2018-19 season, running its lifts for the first time Friday, Oct. 19.
Thanks to continued investments that have expanded the resort’s snowmaking system, Mt. Rose will offer access to three beginner ski trails in the Enchanted Forest area that creates a wide top-to-bottom run off of the Wizard lift for a first taste of winter.
Thanks to continued investments that have expanded the resort’s snowmaking system, Mt. Rose will offer access to three beginner ski trails in the Enchanted Forest area that creates a wide top-to-bottom run off of the Wizard lift for a first taste of winter.
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe announced Thursday (Oct. 18) it will open for skiing and snowboarding season passholders only Oct. 19-20.
It’s always interesting to see who will be the first ski resort to open in the Lake Tahoe region. For the fourth year in a row, that honor belongs to Mt. Rose. This marks the earliest opening in Mt. Rose’s history. The prior earliest date was Oct. 26, 2017.
After this weekend, Mt. Rose, a mere 25 minutes from Reno, will resume lift operations and open additional terrain as weather and conditions permit.
Thanks to continued investments that have expanded the resort’s snowmaking system, Mt. Rose will offer access to three beginner ski trails in the Enchanted Forest area that creates a wide top-to-bottom run off of the Wizard lift for a first taste of winter. Mountain access will only be open to Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe season passholders.
“Early-season operations and a strong commitment to offering superior quality snow surfaces all season long continue to be among our top priorities,” said Mike Pierce, director of marketing at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. “At 8,260 feet, Mt. Rose has the highest base area elevation in the (Tahoe) region, and our snowmaking team really knows how to take advantage of it. As conditions permit, and as winter weather starts to arrive, we’ll continue to make snow at every opportunity and get more terrain open.”
The Lodgepole Café and Timbers Bar will also be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Equipment rental, ski lessons, the repair shop and 431 Sports will not be available. However, skiers and riders can pick-up season leases and purchase season passes. All parking will be at the Main Lodge.
On Saturday, the resort’s Hiring Mixer will take place from 3-6 p.m. at the Main Lodge for those looking for an opportunity to join the Mt. Rose team. The resort is hiring a variety of full- and part-time seasonal positions.
For those who plan to take advantage of one of the longest seasons in Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose offers convenient access from both Reno and North Lake Tahoe and the freedom to ski with a variety of season pass options. With season pass options ranging from $199 to $599, skiers and riders will have access to pre-season sale rates through Sunday afternoon online at www.skirose.com.
For more information about resort services, conditions, or to purchase a lift ticket or season pass, visit www.skirose.com.
BOREAL MOUNTAIN;
Boreal used to traditionally be the first Tahoe resort to open. While Mt. Rose has assumed that role, Boreal is still annually one of the first ski resorts to open in the region. The recent combination of freezing overnight temperatures and low humidity has made for perfect snowmaking conditions in the high Sierra early this week.
The targeted opening date this season for Boreal is Nov. 9. But if conditions cooperate, Boreal will be prepared to open sooner. The resort, located off Interstate 80 near Donner Summit, was making snow this week on Sunday and Monday evening.
“We were able to blow snow two nights, testing our guns, making sure they’re ready. If we get the right temperatures and the right wind speed, I would say that we could probably open in less than 48 hours of blowing around the clock,” said Tucker Norred, marketing and communications manager of Boreal Mountain California. “One date that we always shoot for is Halloween. We love to be open and watch people riding the hill in their costumes.”
Boreal has snow machines positioned every 50 feet along its main runs. When conditions are right, water is sprayed through them at high-velocity freezes and falls to the ground as snow.
“The snowmaking here at Boreal we expand upon almost every single year,” Norred said. “And that’s because we want to be one of the first to open, but also to expand our terrain as far as possible.”
Existing resort employees were already hard at work preparing Boreal for the upcoming season, which will include some new terrain park features for experienced skiers and riders, plus expanded beginner terrain and lesson programs. Construction of a new beginner chairlift is on track completion early in the season.
Hiring of seasonal workers is also underway.
