Due to a lack of sufficient snow coverage on its mountain, Northstar California ski resort will not be open for Thanksgiving Day skiing and snowboarding.
For the second time this fall, Northstar California has canceled its plans, pushing back its opener to an undetermined date. Northstar officials are expected to announce a new opening date Monday, Nov. 27.
Last season the family-friendly resort off Highway 267 in North Lake Tahoe opened Nov. 23.
“Northstar’s snowmaking teams have been, and will continue to work around the clock to make snow at every opportunity,” said Northstar spokesperson Stephanie Myers. “The team is ready to make snow at a moment’s notice with favorable snowmaking conditions forecast over the next 10 days. Northstar will continue to focus efforts on opening with a high-quality snow surface that is safe for all guests to enjoy.”
For more information, visit www.NorthstarCalifornia.com.
Northstar is the only Vail Resorts in Lake Tahoe not to open yet. Heavenly Mountain fired up its lifts Nov. 17 and Kirkwood Mountain got its season underway Wednesday (Nov. 23).
Located off Highway 88 near South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood had an impressive opening, operating four lifts operating: Snowkirk (Chair 1), Solitude (Chair 5), Cornice Express (Chair 6) and the Reut (Chair 11). That combination provided 350 acres of terrain for skiing and snowboarding.
“Due to the recent storms and cold temperatures for snowmaking over this past weekend, the Kirkwood mountain operations team was able to prepare the mountain for top-to-bottom skiing and riding in time for Wednesday’s opening,” said Doug Pierini, general manager of Kirkwood. “It’s an excellent start to the season and provides Lake Tahoe guests with one of the best options for skiing and riding leading into the Thanksgiving holiday.”
There will be five Lake Tahoe ski resorts open for Thanksgiving weekend. Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe and Boreal Mountain have been operating lifts on a daily basis for several weeks. Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows opened last week.
Family-friendly Soda Springs ski resort is open for snow play and tubing.
Located in the southeast portion of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Mammoth Mountain says it is offering the most terrain of any U.S. resort. Mammoth has top-to-bottom skiing and riding, with 12 lifts and 69 trails set to be open for the Thanksgiving weekend. The current base of snow is 20-60 inches.
Projected Lake Tahoe ski resort openings
- Mt Rose: Open
- Boreal Mountain: Open
- Heavenly Mountain: Open
- Squaw Alpine: Open
- Kirkwood Mountain: Open
- Homewood Mountain: Dec. 8
- Tahoe Donner downhill: Dec. 8 (X-country Nov. 23)
- Diamond Peak: Dec. 14
- Donner Ski Ranch: Dec. 15
- Granlibakken: Dec. 15
- Northstar California: TBA
- Sugar Bowl: TBA
- Springs Soda: TBA
