Due to record-breaking snow totals at many resorts, it comes as no surprise the ski season will be extended in the Lake Tahoe region.
If skiing or snowboarding on Fourth of July is on the wish list this summer, it’s a go. Palisades Tahoe will be open later than any Tahoe ski resort, setting its closing date for July 4.
As of Thursday morning (April 6), Palisades Tahoe had received 698 inches at its summit for the 2022-23 season. That’s 9 inches from the most snow in resort history – 707 inches (2016-17). More snow is expected to arrive Friday.
“That is about the height of 10 Toyota Tacoma (trucks) if they were stacked on top of each other. “Snow totals have been just insane this season,” said Palisades Tahoe spokesperson Patrick Lacey.
SEE CLOSING DATES, SEASON SNOW TOTALS BELOW
Anyone seeking a longer ski season can head to Mammoth Mountain this summer. 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, the resort has announced it will be open daily until at least the end of July.
“We don’t have a set closing date. We will stay open as long as conditions allow,” said Mammoth spokesperson Lauren Burke.
Measured at its summit, Mammoth Mountain has the most snow of any California ski resort with a staggering 882 inches. It has 704 inches at its Main Lodge, snapping the previous record 668 inches in 2010-2011.
RECORD SNOW TOTALS AT HEAVENLY, KIRKWOOD: Additional snow this week allowed the two Vail Resorts in Tahoe to set new season snow totals
Located 34 miles from South Lake Tahoe off Highway 88, Kirkwood has received 704 inches this season. That amount snaps a 40-year record of 700 inches set in 1983, according to Dennis Baggett, Kirkwood communications manager.
Kirkwood has pushed back its closing date to Sunday, May 14, the latest of the three Vail Resorts in Tahoe. Celebrating its 50th anniversary season, Kirkwood will add two additional weekends, staying open Friday, May 5 to Sunday, May 7, and May 12 to May 14.
Earlier this week, Heavenly hit 566 inches for the season, surpassing its record 564 inches set in the winter of 2016-2017.
“For a resort on the east side of the basin, this is a pretty unheard of (season snow total),” said Tom Fortune, Heavenly’s general manager.
The South Lake Tahoe mega resort will extend its season to Sunday, May 7, adding three full weeks to its original schedule. A third Vail Resort in Tahoe Northstar, extended its closing date to April 30.
AMAZING SEASON SNOW TOTALS: Powder days have routinely occurred this memorable season for snow totals.
Lake Tahoe is enjoying its most snow since 1951-1952, when 812 inches fell in the mountains, according to UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab, which takes snow measurements at Donner Pass. The lab has recorded 722 inches thus far – more than 60 feet – putting the region at 222 inches of its average snowfall to date.
Sugar Bowl has received the most snow among Tahoe ski resorts with 769 inches this season. Located off Interstate 80 at Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl may break its record-setting 2016-17 season when it received 795 inches of snow.
“We’re certainly optimistic that it could happen,” said Sugar Bowl spokesperson Jon Slaughter. “It’s possible. There’s more snow in the forecast.”
Joining Sugar Bowl in the 700-club this season are Boreal (729) and previously mentioned Kirkwood (704). Ten Tahoe ski resorts have received 566 or more inches this season, which is likely another record for the Lake Tahoe region.
Sugar Bowl will remain open daily through April 23, hosting an “Encore Weekend” on April 29-30. During its final weekend, operations will be offered out of the Village side of the resort, with the Christmas Tree, Mt. Lincoln Express, Nob Hill and Mt. Disney Express lifts operating.
“With all this snow, we wanted to give skiers and riders more time to spend time in the mountains making turns and enjoying this historic snow season,” said Bridget Legnavsky,
Sugar Bowl president and CEO. “We’ve decided to spin the lifts for an Encore Weekend of fun. It’s an opportunity for us to thank our guests and staff, and enjoy the reason we are all here … the skiing.”
CLOSING DATES, SEASON SNOW TOTALS
- Homewood: April 7 (623 inches)
- Boreal: April 16 (729 inches)
- Soda Springs: April 16 (596)
- Tahoe Donner: April 16 (NA)
- Granlibakken: April 17 (NA)
- Sugar Bowl: April 23 (769)
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: April 23 (680)
- Rose: April 23 (658)
- Northstar: April 30 (649)
- Diamond Peak: May 1 (427)
- Heavenly: May 7 (566)
- Kirkwood: May 14 (704)
- Palisades Tahoe: July 4 (698)
