For seven Tahoe ski resorts, the end is near. They will all be closing after the final late afternoon runs are taken this Sunday (April 18).
The seven resorts shutting down brings the total to 11 Tahoe ski resorts that have bid farewell to 2020-21, a season that managed to reach the planned finish line despite huge Covid-19 implications.
TAHOE SKI RESORT CLOSING DATES
- Sugar Bowl: April 18
- Diamond Peak: April 18
- Soda Springs: April 18
- Northstar: April 18
- Heavenly: April 18
- Boreal: April 18
- Mt. Rose: April 18
- Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows: May 31
- Granlibakken: TBA
- Tahoe Donner: closed
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: closed
- Kirkwood: closed
- Homewood: closed
SQUAW-ALPINE REMAINS OPEN: There is some good news as well – Tahoe skiing and snowboarding isn’t totally done yet.
Weather and conditions permitting, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will be open approximately seven weeks longer than any other Tahoe ski resort, establishing an optimistic closing date of Memorial Day – Monday, May 31.
“We are so happy we can continue to offer up outdoor recreation to visitors and locals,” said Squaw-Alpine spokesperson Christine Horvath. “While it might look a bit different with fewer events and music this spring season, the skiing and riding will be in our usual tradition of fun at the Spring Skiing Capital.”
COVID-19 DIDN’T SHUT DOWN SEASON: Due to COVID-19 considerations, the ski season in Lake Tahoe got off to a later start than usual.
Mt. Rose, which is normally the first Tahoe ski resort to open, often times in late October, pushed back its opening day until Nov. 20. Northstar California and Heavenly also opened Nov. 20 and six other Tahoe ski resorts were running lifts by Thanksgiving weekend.
COVID-19 was not the lone issue facing Tahoe ski resorts this season. There was a general lack of snow, evidenced by only one Tahoe resort (Squaw Valley) has reached the 300-inch snow mark for the season. In many normal snow years, the totals of at least several Tahoe ski resorts exceeds 500 inches.
Despite the low snow totals, most Tahoe ski resorts have enjoyed solid snow conditions this season. While overall numbers of skier and snowboarder visits are down at all resorts nationwide, considering the possibility that resorts could have been shut down sometime during the season due to COVID-19 implications, the 2020-21 should be considered a huge success.
To the knowledge of Tahoe Ski World, no U.S. ski resort had to shut down this season due to the pandemic. Despite the COVID restrictions and many people’s natural inclination to stay away from any place that draws a crowd, Sugar Bowl has seen an upsurge in skier visits following the Christmas holidays
“Yes, we have seen strong visitation during the second half of the season. Compliance with our policies has been consistent all season and mirrored what we expected,” said Sugar Bowl spokesperson Jon Slaughter. “People want to get out and enjoy the mountain. Our policies are simple to follow and guests are more than willing so they can ski and snowboard our uncrowded slopes.”
