A major snowstorm began Wednesday evening and could dump up to 2 feet of fresh snow on Tahoe ski resorts when it concludes Thursday night.
The powerhouse winter storm will affect the Western U.S. the next few days with widespread heavy mountain snow, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno.
“In the Tahoe region, the heaviest snowfall rates are anticipated Thursday and could reach 3 inches per hour,” according to the NWS. “The combination of heavy snow and wind may bring periods of whiteout conditions. There’s also an avalanche danger from Thursday morning to Friday morning.
Mt. Rose ski resort in Nevada could get 9 to 15 inches; Alpine Meadows may receive up to 20 inches; and Donner Pass a possible 15 to 25 inches.
Heavenly and Northstar are forecasted to receive 20-25 inches of snow, while Kirkwood could see 40 inches or more.
“With sunny skies returning Friday, our fingers are crossed for a couple feet of powdered sugar on our slopes by the weekend,” a Sugar Bowl press release stated. “We have been open for top-to-bottom skiing and riding since last Friday, but more snow will help our teams get even more terrain ready to open.
SECOND STORM THIS WEEKEND: Friday should be a great day for powder skiing and riding as Tahoe ski resorts scramble to open more lifts and terrain.
A second storm arrives Saturday and should last through the weekend. Officials said this snow will start Saturday morning and go through Sunday night, with the most persistent snowfall likely being Saturday night into Sunday morning.
In the Tahoe region, high temperatures for the rest of the week are expected to be around freezing or even colder in the single digits. The high temperatures through the weekend will be in the upper 30s and may not dip into the 40s.
Winds will start to pick up Saturday morning ahead of the system and peak Saturday evening, with gusts along the Sierra crest 80-plus mph. After the storms pass, the NWS says next week will begin with dry conditions and below average temps.
“We ask for additional patience as our crews work hard to expand terrain through these incoming weather conditions, including wind impacts,” said Cole Zimmerman, who represents Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar. “The three resorts are excited about the weather patterns since opening earlier than anticipated on November 12; all continue to carefully monitor the forecast ahead. Each team is packed with passionate experts to ensure terrain is safe and ready for guests, especially amidst heavy snowfall, as it does take time to appropriately prepare to expand.”
DIAMOND PEAK OPENING SATURDAY: Family-friendly Diamond Peak ski resort in Lake Tahoe will be offering skiing and snowboarding for the first time Saturday, Dec. 3.
Located in Nevada’s Incline Village, Diamond Peak is an affordable ski resort that offers great views of Lake Tahoe and has a summit elevation of 8,540-feet and a 1,840-foot vertical drop. Skiers and boarders can experience 655 acres of beginner to advanced terrain that include open groomers, glades and powder bowls.
SEASON PASS DISCOUNT DEADLINE: The 2022-23 Ikon Pass products – Ikon Pass, Ikon Base Pass and Ikon Session Pass – will end Thursday, Dec. 8. The Ikon Pass is good for Palisades Tahoe and more than 50 destinations this winter, including seven new destinations – Sun Valley in Idaho, Snowbasin in Utah, Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley in France, Grandvalira Resorts Andorra, Lotte Arai Resort in Japan, Panorama and Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia, Canada.
Sugar Bowl has sold 90 percent of its passes for this season. Prices increase starting December 8.
TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENING DATES
- Mt. Rose: Open Nov. 11
- Boreal: Open Nov. 11
- Northstar: Open Nov. 12
- Heavenly: Open Nov. 12
- Kirkwood: Open Nov. 12
- Palisades: Open Nov. 18
- Sugar Bowl: Open Nov. 25
- Soda Springs: Open Nov. 25
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: Dec. 3
- Diamond Peak: Dec. 3
- Tahoe Donner: Dec. 9
- Homewood: Dec. 16
- Granlibakken: Dec. 18
