BY JEFFREY WEIDEL
A lack of snow has been felt throughout the Lake Tahoe region this winter, resulting in a disappointing season for the ski resorts. One of those resorts – Sierra-at-Tahoe – suspended winter operations today and won’t open again until next season unless conditions change.
“It is with a heavy heart we must announce Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort will be suspending winter operations beginning Monday, March 16,” Sierra-at-Tahoe General Manager John Rice said. “Conditions around the mountain have deteriorated to the point where we can no longer deliver a product that meets our standard. Although temperatures remain high and the forecast lacks precipitation, we are fully committed to resuming operations if we receive an adequate amount of snow.”
Other smaller Lake Tahoe resorts have also been impacted. Homewood Mountain, Donner Ski Ranch, Granlibakken and Tahoe Donner are also temporarily closed and unlikely to reopen.
At Sierra-at-Tahoe, the resort’s north-facing location paired with trail maintenance techniques and snowmaking allowed operations to remain open since Dec. 12, with one-third of their average natural snowfall. Sierra says its average annual snowfall is 400-plus inches and uses very little snowmaking.
“Snow is not our only asset, as we are composed of an outstanding group of individuals who love this sport, this business and this very mountain,” Rice said.
Sierra-at-Tahoe, which is located off Highway 50 east of South Lake Tahoe, said it exhausted all possible tools. “Even with snowmaking at every opportunity and strategic movement of snow, Mother Nature came up short.”
For important information about Sierra-at-Tahoe’s scheduled events, season passes and more, please visit: http://bit.ly/OperationsUpdate.
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Thanks for visiting his winter website at www.tahoeskiworld.com
