Sugar Bowl ski resort continues to accumulate the most snow in the Lake Tahoe region. The resort received 15 inches on Thursday, 61 inches thus far in April, and now has the most snow among Lake Tahoe ski resorts – 775 inches for the 2016-17 season.
It’s been quite the season for Lake Tahoe ski resorts. By mid-March, there were eight Lake Tahoe ski resorts that had received 600 or more inches this season. Historically, the average annual snowfall at upper elevations in the Lake Tahoe-Truckee region is 450 inches.
Two other ski resorts — Boreal Mountain and Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows — also reached or surpassed the 700-inch mark this season.
Sugar Bowl received 309 inches of snow in January and has offered numerous powder days for skiers and snowboarders. Despite the huge snow total, this is only the fourth highest seasonal snow total in Sugar Bowl history. The record is 880 inches in 1982-83, followed by 829 (1983-84) and 848 (1992-93). The most recent snow total high was 2010-11 when Sugar Bowl reported 689 inches.
“This season has been incredible, consistent snowfall throughout the entire season and cold dry powder storms,” said Sugar Bowl spokesperson Jon Slaughter. “Every time we think the storm season is coming to an end, Mother Nature whacks us again. Currently Sugar Bowl’s planned operation is seven days/week until April 23. We may extend further than this with a modified operation if conditions and traffic allow.”
NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA: The latest snow storm provided enough to put Northstar over the limit, establishing a new seasonal total for snowfall – a whopping 699 inches.
Located off Highway 267 in North Lake Tahoe, Northstar received 9 inches of snow Thursday, 17 inches the past two days, and 42 over the past week, putting its seasonal total one inch shy of 700 inches. The 700-plus inch mark is likely to come Sunday when more snow is being predicted for the Lake Tahoe region.
The previous season-high for snowfall at Northstar was 685 inches.
“Spring skiing is taking on a whole new persona at Northstar California. Mother Nature is gifting us with April powder days and continuously amazing corduroy runs,” Northstar spokesperson Stephanie Myers said.
SQUAW VALLEY ALPINE MEADOWS: Thanks to 14 inches from the storm and nearly three feet in the last week, the North Tahoe ski resort has exactly 700 inches, the second highest reported total in its history. The highest snow total is 810 inches in 2010-11.
Other huge snow total years were 662 inches (1994-95), 598 (1982-83) and 569 in 1981-82.
“With more storms in the forecast (starting Sunday), this whopper of a season isn’t ending anytime soon,” said Squaw Alpine spokesperson Liesl Kenney. “Looking back, we saw many records broken including the most snow ever in one month (in January). We have months of phenomenal spring skiing ahead of us, supported by a 21-foot base.”
SIERRA-AT-TAHOE: Located off Highway 50 heading into South Lake Tahoe, Sierra received 8 inches of new snow Thursday and will be offering yet another powder experience Friday.
The recent storm dropped 27 more inches on Sierra’s slopes, bringing its season total to 620 inches. The resort had 22 feet (264 inches) of snow in January. The season snow total record is 780 inches in 2010-11.
“We certainly saw record periods of snowfall and a record January this season. Even if we don’t surpass the record, this was a record year in its own right,” said Sierra-at-Tahoe spokesperson Thea Hardy. “I guarantee 2016/17 will not be forgotten in years to come. People will reminisce about all the amazing powder days in the trees at Sierra.”
The recent storm dropped 27 more inches on Sierra-at-Tahoe, bringing its season total to 620 inches. The resort had 22 feet (264 inches) of snow in January.
BOREAL MOUNTAIN: Located off Interstate 80 at Donner Summit, the resort received 16 inches Thursday, 27 inches over the past two days, and 46 for the week.
The latest snow brought Boreal’s season total to 740 inches, the second most among Lake Tahoe ski resorts. The record is 765 inches in 2010-11.
“This year the intensity was higher (than 2010-11). January and February was the most amount of snow in that period of time – 545 inches from Jan. 2 until March 7,” said Boreal spokesperson Shaydar Edelman. “There has also been record water this year, making it even more intense but not adding to the snow total.”
HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN: Located in South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly received 10 inches of new snow Thursday, 16 inches in the previous two days, and 34 over the past week. It’s snow total has reached 654 inches for the 2016-17 season.
Heavenly reached 600 inches of snow by March; the resort averages 360 inches per season.
“We have enjoyed amazing snow totals this season. “The snow really started coming in December and it just never stopped.” Heavenly spokesperson Anna Jacobson said.
KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN: The resort off Highway 88 received 20 more inches of snow over the past two days. For the past week, Kirkwood is reporting 42 inches and 54 thus far in April.
The latest snow storms bumped up Kirkwood’s season total to 685 inches.
Closing dates for Lake Tahoe resorts.
- Homewood: April 16
- Kirkwood Mountain: April 16
- Tahoe Donner: April 16
- Donner Ski Ranch: April 17
- Granlibakken: April 17
- Soda Springs: April 23
- Sugar Bowl: April 23
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: April 23
- Diamond Peak: April 23
- Northstar: April 23
- Boreal Mountain: April 23
- Heavenly Mountain: April 30
- Mt. Rose: May 29
- Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows: July 4
