If you are a skier or snowboarder, here’s one more thing to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day: More snow is on the way this week for Lake Tahoe ski resorts.
Cold temperatures and recent snow storms are the catalyst for nine Lake Tahoe ski resorts opening by Thanksgiving weekend. Three storms should hit the Tahoe region this week, with the first one arriving tonight (Nov. 23).
According to Bryan Allegretto of Snow Forecaster, the storm this evening should arrive before midnight and slow down by Wednesday morning. The storm could drop 5-7 inches at 8,000 feet and above. The second storm should 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.
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 and joins two other Lake Tahoe resorts owned by Vail Resorts – Heavenly and Northstar – that will begin running their lifts Wednesday. Soda Springs ski resort will also join the party, opening Wednesday as well, along with Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.
“We are excited to open Kirkwood this Saturday. Kirkwood is living up to its famed reputation for great snow – even on opening day,” said Doug Pierini, vice president and general manager of Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
The addition of Kirkwood, Sugar Bowl and Soda Springs means that nine Tahoe ski resorts will be running lifts by the weekend. Two Tahoe ski resorts are currently open – Mt. Rose and Boreal Mountain.
Tentative Lake Tahoe Opening Dates
- Mt. Rose: open Nov. 18
- Boreal Mountain: open Nov. 18
- Northstar: Nov. 23
- Heavenly: Nov. 23
- Squaw Valley: Nov. 23
- Alpine Meadows: Nov. 23
- Soda Springs: Nov. 23
- Sugar Bowl: Nov. 25
- Kirkwood: Nov. 26
- Homewood: Dec. 9
- Tahoe Donner: Dec. 9
- Diamond Peak: Dec. 15
- Granlibakken: Dec. 16
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: TBA
- Donner Ski Ranch: TBA
