There’s a lot of rejoicing in the Lake Tahoe region this week. Ski season is officially underway. By Saturday (Nov. 14), there will be seven Tahoe ski resorts providing early-season runs for skiers and snowboarders.
Alpine Meadows was the latest ski resort to open, running its lifts today, which is more than a month ahead of the originally scheduled opening date of Dec. 11. Alpine operated the Kangaroo Chair.
Four more Lake Tahoe ski resorts will be opening Saturday – Northstar California, Heavenly, Kirkwood and Squaw Valley.
“We will have everything from beginner to the expert terrain open,” Kirkwood spokesperson Kevin Cooper said. “We have the only expert terrain accessible in the Tahoe region.”
Mt. Rose in Nevada was the first Tahoe-area resort to open Nov. 4 and was quickly followed by Boreal Mountain, which is offering night skiing again this season. Thanks to a combination of early snow and improved snow-making capabilities, Boreal is open from top to bottom for the first time since 2004.
There will be seven Lake Tahoe ski resorts open by Saturday (Nov. 14). Kirkwood got 3 feet of new snow, while Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows received almost two feet of snow over the last week.
More snow is expected to arrive Sunday. The forecast has snow levels dropping to about 3,500 feet Sunday and Monday. The accumulations could produce up to 8 inches at pass level, and up to a foot of new snow at the higher peaks.
Lake Tahoe ski resorts Opening Dates
- Alpine Meadows Resort – Open
- Boreal Mountain Resort – Open
- Diamond Peak – December 10
- Donnor Ski Ranch – TBA
- Granlibakken – TBA
- Heavenly Mountain – November 14
- Homewood – December 11
- Kirkwood Mountain – November 14
- Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe – Open
- Northstar California – November 14
- Squaw Valley – November 14
- Sierra-at-Tahoe – TBA
- Soda Springs – TBA
- Sugar Bowl – November 26 (or earlier)
- Tahoe Donner – December 11
Although Sugar Bowl is officially waiting until Nov. 26, spokesperson John Monson says “the opening could be earlier.”
Although it has a nice base of snow, Sierra-at-Tahoe is also being cautious about opening prematurely.
“As of right now, even though we’ve received a bunch of snow, we’re going to be patient and make sure that we open with a quality product that is safe for our guests and employees,” said Sierra spokesperson Thea Hardy. “We are definitely looking forward to the upcoming storm this weekend.”
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel. Thanks for visiting his website at www.tahoeskiworld.com
