Due to the recent storms that have dumped considerable snow on the famed Tahoe ski resort, Squaw Valley opened its upper mountain Friday (Dec. 6).
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has as more early-season terrain available than most Tahoe ski resorts. On Friday, Squaw was reporting 12 lifts, accessing 60 trails. At neighboring Alpine there were four lifts and 29 trails available for skiing and snowboarding.
“It’s been more than a one week since snow started falling here at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and we are now up to 84 inches (7 feet) of snow on the upper mountain at Squaw Valley,” said resort spokesperson Liesl Hepburn. “We averaged a foot of snowfall per day.”
Friday morning, Squaw operation crews prepared new upper mountain terrain for skiing and riding. The upper mountain openings include Shirley Lake, Siberia, Gold Coast, Big Blue, Mountain Meadow, Bailey’s Beach, and the Funitel. The Aerial Tram is providing skiing access and the Mountain Run is also open for the first time this season.
At Alpine Meadows, the new $11 million Treeline Cirque chairlift opened Tuesday (Dec. 3) and provides access to its mid-station terminal. This chair gives skiers and riders direct lift access from the base area to the Sherwood Ridge terrain for the first time. The lift takes just five minutes.
Saturday is the grand-opening celebration for Treeline Cirque. The first 50 guests in line will receive the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows signature beanie and a YETI mug, and free hot cocoa. Coffee and cookies from Treats Café will be available at the chair from 8:30-10 a.m. A live DJ will play at the lift in the morning, and the official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place just before 9 a.m.
HOMEWOOD OFFICIALLY OPENS: Located off Highway 89, six miles south of Tahoe City, family-friendly Homewood kicked its season for skiing and riding Thursday for pass holders only and Friday (Dec. 6) to the public. It is the 11th Tahoe ski resort to open this season.
On Friday morning, Homewood Mountain was reporting 51 inches of snow at its summit and 28 inches at base level. The resort has perhaps the best views of Lake Tahoe.
DIAMOND PEAK OPENING: Thanks to more than 3 feet of snow that arrived over the past week, Diamond Peak will open early, running its lifts for the first time Saturday (Dec. 7).
Located in Incline Village in North Lake Tahoe, Diamond Peak scheduled opening day for Dec. 12, but recent cold temperatures permitted non-stop snowmaking operations last week. And the Thanksgiving storm cycle delivered 40 inches of natural snow, allowing the resort to announce top-to-bottom skiing and riding will be available for skiers and snowboarders Saturday.
TAHOE SNOW REPORT: Friday began with partly cloudy skies, followed by increasing clouds and wind through the day. Any snow should hold off until after 4 p.m. The storm moves in Friday evening with expected heavy snow through the night.
Heavy snow is possible Saturday afternoon into Saturday night. The snow should become more showery on Sunday, before tapering off by Sunday evening.
Snow levels start out above the base in the 6,700-foot range Friday night with rain at the base. There could be 3-6 inches of snow on the upper mountain by early Saturday morning. By Sunday morning there could be an additional 12-18 inches of snow on the upper mountain, and 3-7 inches at the base.
OPENING DATES TAHOE SKI RESORTS (all dates are weather dependent)
- Mt. Rose: Opened October 25
- Squaw Valley: Opened November 15
- Alpine Meadows: Opened November 15
- Boreal Mountain: Opened November 23
- Heavenly Mountain: Opened November 27
- Soda Springs: Opened November 28
- Sugar Bowl: Opened November 29
- Northstar California: Opened November 29
- Kirkwood Mountain: Opened November 29
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: Opened November 30
- Homewood Mountain: Opened December 6
- Diamond Peak: December 7
- Granlibakken: December 13
- Tahoe Donner: December 13
