It’s getting somewhat late in the 2023-24 ski season, which means Tahoe ski resorts are contemplating their closing dates.
While some have figured out that exact date, many Tahoe ski resorts are reluctant to name a definitive closing date due to future weather implications and the interest remaining for skiers and snowboarders.
No new snow is being predicted until next weekend and the high afternoon temperatures have been in the low 50s for multiple days, reducing some of the existing snow pack. Both are major factors as we head toward closing time.
Currently, there are nine Tahoe ski resorts (SEE PROJECTED CLOSING DATES BELOW) that have announced closing dates. Note that these could change, depending on weather implications and skier visits.
As of March 16, Tahoe Donner will be the first area ski resort to close, shutting down its lifts Sunday, April 7. Both Boreal Mountain and Soda Springs will be next, closing one week later (April 14). Diamond Peak announced earlier this week it would be extending its season to April 21.
“We’re happy to announce we’ll be extending our current ski season through Sunday, April 21 at least, with the potential to go longer if conditions permit,” said Diamond Peak spokesperson Paul Raymore.
Traditionally the latest Tahoe resort to close, Palisades Tahoe will likely be the last one open again this season with a projected date of Memorial Day (May 27).
STRONG SNOW TOTALS IN NEW YEAR: Back in late December 2023, all California ski resorts were contemplating a season without much snow. 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 Northstar had the most snow with a meager 30-inch base, followed by Kirkwood (24) and both Palisades Tahoe and Heavenly with 12 inches. However, the snow started to regularly fall the first week of January and the latest storm – late February to early March – dropped between 6-10 feet on Tahoe ski resorts.
As of Saturday (March 16), Sugar Bowl had the most snow in California with 405 inches at its summit. Boreal has received 347 inches, Palisades Tahoe is next with 331 inches, and Mt. Rose (326) isn’t far behind. Soda Springs is reporting 324 inches.
According to the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab, the state’s snow water equivalent after the four-day storm that concluded March 4 was 104% after beginning January at 28%, encouraging news considering the California’s history with droughts during the past decade.
RECORD SETTING SNOW TOTALS LAST SEASON: Thanks to a record snowfall of 723 inches last season, Palisades Tahoe remained open through July 4. In 2023, three other Tahoe ski resorts (Diamond Peak, Heavenly, Kirkwood) offered skiing in May.
The 2023-23 was a season to remember. The snow came down heavy around the Christmas holidays and large storms were the rule – not the exception – for more than three months.
It was an epic year for snowfall with eight California ski resorts establishing new records. Located on California’s Eastern Sierra range, approximately 100 miles south of the Nevada state line and 50 minutes from the eastern gate of Yosemite, Mammoth Mountain received a staggering 885 inches of snow at its summit. In an average season, Mammoth usually gets around 400 inches of snow at its base.
Due to its incredibly high snow totals, Mammoth was able to extend the season to Aug. 7, the second longest closing date in resort history. The resort also benefited from an early opening as well (Nov. 5, 2022). The season lasted nearly 10 months!
PROJECTED CLOSING DATE, SEASON SNOW TOTAL
- Tahoe Donner: April 7 (NA)
- Boreal: April 14 (347 inches)
- Soda Springs: April 14 (324 inches)
- Northstar: April 14 (285 inches)
- Homewood: April 14 (282 inches)
- Granlibakken: April 15 (261 inches)
- Diamond Peak: April 21 (183 inches)
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: April 21 (276 inches)
- Heavenly: April 21 (194 inches)
- Sugar Bowl: April 28 (405 inches)
- Kirkwood: April 28 (298 inches)
- Mt. Rose: April 28 (326 inches)
- Palisades Tahoe: May 27 (331 inches)
- Bear Valley: April 14 (298 inches)
- Dodge Ridge: April 14 (298 inches)
- China Peak: April 14 (269 inches)
- Mammoth Mountain: May 27 (273 inches
