More snow pummeled many Tahoe ski resorts again Sunday. But the good news is after four days, the snow is subsiding and what remains is some incredible powder days – assuming you can get to a resort due to closed or challenging road conditions.
Interstate-80 started the morning closed from Colfax to the Nevada state line, but it opened around 9:15 am with chain controls. Highway 50 is open from Kyburz to Meyers with chain requirements. Highway 88 into Kirkwood ski resort is closed, but expected to open later today.
On Monday, there were still resort closures (Sierra-at-Tahoe, Soda Springs, Tahoe Donner), but all other Tahoe ski resorts were either operating at the usual time or on a delayed opening. Check the individual resorts for lift and terrain availability.
It’s definitely a major POW day. But skiing or riding with caution is the way to go. Sugar Bowl offers this powder tip below.
“When you sink, fall, or just flop over, take a deep breath. You’re going to get out of that bomb hold you created, just stay calm. There is a slow way and a much slower way. Either way, you’re probably sweating through your base layer, so dress accordingly.”
The snow totals are off the hook, with four resorts (Sugar Bowl, Homewood, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Palisades Tahoe) all receiving 8 feet or more since the massive blizzard storm began Thursday (Feb. 29). Sugar Bowl got another 2 feet of snow Sunday and its 111 total inches are the most among Tahoe ski resorts.
SEE TAHOE SNOW REPORT BELOW
VIRTUALLY NO SNOW IN DECEMBER: What a roughly two-month period it’s been, capped off by the latest storm, a massive one that’s crippled the Lake Tahoe region. Unlike the plentiful snow at Tahoe ski resorts a year ago, it was an extremely slow start to the 2023-24 ski season with barely any early-season snow.
Of the major Tahoe resorts, by the end of December 2023 Northstar had the most snow with a 30-inch base, followed by Kirkwood (24) and both Palisades Tahoe and Heavenly with 12 inches.
While optimism remained, it was questionable what Mother Nature would deliver once 2024 began. The answer came quickly with a decent storm Jan. 2 that brought a foot of snow to rejoicing Tahoe ski resorts.
As of Monday, five ski resorts were reporting 300 or more inches for the season. Sugar Bowl was way out in front of the other 300-inch club members with 396 inches. Other totals are Mt. Rose (326), Boreal (326), Palisades Tahoe (321), and Soda Springs (303).
WEATHER FORECAST: According to OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto, there will be light precipitation by Monday afternoon into Tuesday, and then backing away by Tuesday night.
Snow levels start out low Monday and rise to near the base by Monday evening, dipping to around the 3,000-4,000 level, then back up near to just above the base by Tuesday afternoon.
TAHOE SNOW REPORT (March 1-4)
- Sugar Bowl: 20-32-35-24 – 111 inches
- Homewood: 20-27-42-10 – 99 inches
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 15-40-26-15 – 96 inches
- Palisades Tahoe: 17-24-31-24 – 96 inches
- Mt. Rose: 20-32-28-12 – 92 inches
- Granlibakken: 14-32-27-18 – 91 inches
- Northstar: 17-27-26-16 – 86 inches
- Tahoe Donner: 14-30-18-16 – 78 inches
- Heavenly: 10-20-38-4 – 72 inches
- Diamond Peak: 10-30-18-7 – 65 inches
- Kirkwood: 12-18-21-10 – 61 inches
- Boreal: 14-30-40-X – NA
- Soda Springs: 12-28-38-X – NA
