One more snow storm was enough to put Northstar California ski resort over the limit, establishing a new seasonal total for snowfall – a whopping 699 inches.
Located off Highway 267 in North Lake Tahoe, Northstar California received 9 inches of snow Thursday, 17 inches the past two days, and 42 over the past week, putting its seasonal total one inch shy of 700 inches. The 700-plus inch mark is likely to come Sunday when more snow is being predicted for the Lake Tahoe region.
The previous season-high for snowfall at Northstar was 685 inches.
“Spring skiing is taking on a whole new persona at Northstar California. Mother Nature is gifting us with April powder days and continuously amazing corduroy runs,” Northstar spokesperson Stephanie Myers said. “We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this winter with our Passholder Appreciation Party (Sunday, April 23) where we’ll be giving away a 2017-18 Epic Local Pass.”
Like most Lake Tahoe ski resorts, Northstar pushed back its closing date (April 23) one week. That’s great news for The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, which is located mid-mountain at Northstar. The luxury hotel has enjoyed a tremendous ski season for occupancy, thanks to the abundance of snow.
“We saw an incredibly successful ski season in 2017, and it continues throughout the spring. The excellent ski conditions also bring more memorable stays for our guests at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe,” said hotel spokesperson Robin Penning. “The experiences we offer throughout the season are a great compliment to the winter recreational activities offered by Northstar California Resort, which offers the finest terrain, conditions and guest services in the Lake Tahoe region.”
Northstar California is one of three Vail Resorts in the Lake Tahoe region. The other two resorts – Heavenly Mountain, Kirkwood Mountain – have also enjoyed a tremendous 2016-17 ski season.
HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN: Located in South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly received 10 inches Thursday, 16 inches of new snow in the previous two days, and 34 over the past week. It’s snow total has reached 654 inches for the 2016-17 season.
Heavenly reached 600 inches of snow by March. The South Lake Tahoe ski resort averages 360 inches per season. According to Heavenly Mountain spokesperson Anna Jacobson, this is the 16th time since 1879 that the summit at Heavenly has passed the 600-inch mark. The last time was 2011.
As a result of all the snow, Heavenly announced in March that it would extend its closing date to Sunday, April 30.
“We have enjoyed amazing snow totals this season. “The snow really started coming in December and it just never stopped.” Jacobson said.
Friday (April 14) is another day where skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the many cool powder tree runs at Heavenly and perhaps find other stashes as well.
“There are a lot of hidden gems at Heavenly. Sometimes several days after a storm you can still find a powder run that hasn’t been touched,” Jacobson said.
KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN: The skiers and riders who love to be at Kirkwood will get one more powder day Friday after the resort off Highway 88 received 20 more inches of snow over the past two days. For the past week, Kirkwood is reporting 42 inches and 54 thus far in April.
The latest snow storms bumped up Kirkwood’s season total to 685 inches. Kirkwood is reporting 8 inches of new snow Friday morning.
This is the final weekend for skiing and riding at Kirkwood. The closing date is Easter Sunday, April 16.
Closing dates for Lake Tahoe resorts
- Homewood: April 16
- Kirkwood Mountain: April 16
- Tahoe Donner: April 16
- Donner Ski Ranch: April 17
- Granlibakken: April 17
- Soda Springs: April 23
- Sugar Bowl: April 23
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: April 23
- Diamond Peak: April 23
- Northstar: April 23
- Boreal Mountain: April 23
- Heavenly Mountain: April 30
- Mt. Rose: May 29
- Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows: July 4
