The snow totals keep climbing and not surprisingly, most Tahoe ski resorts remained closed Saturday.
Easily the largest storm of the season began barreling into the Lake Tahoe region Thursday. A severe blizzard warning is predicted into Sunday morning.
Due to blizzard-like conditions and all the issues (extreme snow, high winds, whiteout conditions) that accompany it, there were nine Tahoe ski resorts closed both Friday and Saturday.
Eight Tahoe ski resorts were reporting more than 2 feet of snow from the steady downpour all day Friday. Sierra-at-Tahoe got over 3 feet (40 inches) and its two-day total of 55 inches was the most among Tahoe ski resorts. The resorts message on its website could have pertained to any Tahoe ski resort.
“The storm continued strong and fast overnight (Friday) with the crews battling 100 mph winds, zero visibility and heavy wind drift snow. Sierra will remain closed Saturday as the storm is still in full swing. Check back for further updates about Sunday. Until then, stay shoveling and stay tuned.”
Two resorts that have been closed Friday and Saturday had good reasons for it. Mt. Rose received 32 inches of new snow by Saturday morning, bringing its two-day total to 52 inches. Sugar Bowl also has got 52 inches. The good news at Sugar Bowl? The additional 32 inches reported Saturday morning pushes the resort’s 2023-24 snow total to 312 inches, the most among Tahoe ski resorts.
SEE TAHOE SNOW REPORT BELOW
WHAT RESORTS ARE OPEN: There were four Tahoe ski resorts partially open Saturday.
As of 10 am Saturday, wind-shielded Diamond Peak was again open with plans to run Lakeview and Lodgepole chairlifts today. Its upper mountain is closed for the day.
Two Vail Resorts – Northstar, Heavenly – were relying on their super-busy operations teams to get the resorts partially open. That was the case Friday when minimal lifts were open at both ski resorts. Northstar had the Big Easy, Arrow, Vista, and the Big Springs Gondola open Saturday. Heavenly was able to open Gunbarrel, First Ride, Powderbowl, Patsys, Groove and the Tram.
At Granlibakken, the sledding is open, but lifts are on hold due in the morning due to a widespread power outage in the area. It will post an update on the resort’s social media when electricity is restored and it has full operations.
ROAD CONDITIONS: Travel remains so treacherous that even ski resorts are discouraging people from driving to Lake Tahoe.
Interstate-80 remained closed Saturday morning at the Nevada state line to Colfax. There were many vehicles stuck over Donner Summit Friday night and it took several hours for emergency personnel and tow trucks to reach motorists.
On the other side of the lake, Highway 50 was at a standstill Saturday morning. Due to avalanche control, Eastbound traffic was being held at Echo Summit and Westbound traffic was stopped at Meyers.
According to the National Weather Service, widespread blowing snow Friday evening into Saturday was creating “extremely dangerous to impossible travel conditions.”
The weather service said “high to extreme avalanche danger” is expected in the backcountry through Sunday evening in the greater Lake Tahoe area.
TAHOE SNOW REPORT (March 1-2)
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 15-40 – 55 inches
- Mt. Rose: 20-32 – 52 inches
- Sugar Bowl: 20-32 – 52 inches
- Homewood: 20-27 – 47 inches
- Granlibakken: 14-32 – 46 inches
- Northstar: 17-27 – 44 inches
- Tahoe Donner: 14-30 – 44 inches
- Palisades Tahoe: 17-24 – 41 inches
- Diamond Peak: 10-30 – 40 inches
- Kirkwood: 12-18 – 30 inches
- Heavenly: 10-20 – 30 inches
- Boreal: 14-x – NA
- Soda Springs: 12-x – NA
