The number of Lake Tahoe ski resorts that are open grew to seven today with the addition of Heavenly, Northstar California, Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley and Soda Springs.
The two Vail Resorts – Heavenly and Northstar California – were taking advantage of fresh snow. Northstar received 8 inches by this morning and Heavenly was reporting 5 inches.
At Heavenly, skiers and riders were lined up at the base of the Heavenly Gondola. There was a live DJ and swag giveaways. Heavenly will continue to kick off opening week with live music at Tamarack Lodge.
At Northstar, skiers and riders were treated to fresh s’mores through the initial lift lines and others received a special bacon-wrapped S’mores handed out on the mountain.
Mt. Rose says it will have top-to-bottom skiing Thanksgiving Day with the opening of the Northwest Magnum 6 lift. Since Sunday, Mt. Rose has received up to 20 inches of snow at the summit. According to the
National Weather Service, more snow is in the forecast today and over the weekend.
Season-to-date, Mt. Rose has received 32 to 52 inches of snow, with current average base depths ranging from 10 inches at the base to 18 inches at the summit. Beginning Thursday, open lifts will include the Northwest Magnum 6, Galena Triple, Wizard Quad and Flying Jenny surface lift.
“Our operations team has been working tirelessly to quickly open additional terrain for skiers and riders to enjoy,” said Mike Pierce, director of marketing at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe.
The number of Lake Tahoe ski resorts open by the weekend will increase to 10.
Sugar Bowl has chosen Friday (Nov. 25) as its opening day. It will be running three chairlifts and providing top-to-bottom skiing and riding. Mt. Lincoln, Christmas Tree and Nob Hill lifts will offer access to groomed slopes and possibly some powder stashes. In addition, nearby Royal Gorge will be offering cross-country skiing.
Kirkwood will open Saturday, Nov. 26, joining the two other Vail Resorts. Sierra-at-Tahoe announced late this afternoon it would also be opening Saturday.
Soda Springs ski resort also joined the party with an opening today. Boreal Mountain opened Nov. 18.
Cold temperatures and recent snow storms are the catalyst for nine Lake Tahoe ski resorts opening by Thanksgiving weekend.
According to Bryan Allegretto of Snow Forecaster, Thanksgiving should be nice day, but a storm is likely to hit Friday evening and continue into the next morning. Allegretto says the storm could be very modest or bring up to a foot of snow, which the European model is projecting.
A third storm should hit the Tahoe region Saturday night or Sunday morning. The storm severity is again unpredictable, dropping as little as 6 inches or nearly 3 feet of fresh snow. Regardless of the snow totals, most Tahoe ski resorts can continue to make snow, thanks to the continuation of low temperatures.
Tentative Lake Tahoe Opening Dates
- Rose: open Nov. 18
- Boreal Mountain: open Nov. 18
- Northstar: open Nov. 23
- Heavenly: open Nov. 23
- Squaw Valley: open Nov. 23
- Alpine Meadows: open Nov. 23
- Soda Springs: open Nov. 23
- Sugar Bowl: Nov. 25
- Kirkwood: Nov. 26
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: Nov. 26
- Homewood: Dec. 9
- Tahoe Donner: Dec. 9
- Diamond Peak: Dec. 15
- Granlibakken: Dec. 16
- Donner Ski Ranch: TBA
