A winter storm resulted in more than a foot of new snow for many Lake Tahoe ski resorts, which will translate into happy holidays to the large number of skiers and snowboarders who were planning on hitting the slopes.
No resort was happier to see the fresh snow than Donner Ski Ranch, a family-owned ski resort that has no snow-making capability. It received 18 inches Friday, the most in the Lake Tahoe region. The big snow total led to opening day on Christmas Eve for Donner Ski Ranch, which is among the oldest and most iconic ski areas in the Western U.S. It’s located off Interstate-80 at the Norden exit, on old Highway 40 near Sugar Bowl ski resort.
“We’re all smiles today. We’re looking good. We got 18 inches of new snow and we plan on being open seven days a week now,” said Tessa McHenry, Donner Ski Ranch general manager.
Also opening today for the first time this ski season is Granlibakken, which has one lift and is a great place for beginners. Granlibakken has previously been offering sledding only.
Snow showers are continuing today in the Tahoe region. The National Weather Service is predicting up to 2 feet of snow at some Tahoe ski resorts.
Squaw Valley got 17 inches of snow and neighboring Alpine Meadows had 14 inches. Mt. Rose received 15 inches Friday and Northstar California was reporting 14 inches, while Kirkwood Mountain had 13. In South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Mountain received 10 inches of new snow.
Sugar Bowl was reporting half a foot of snow by mid-afternoon Friday and wound up with 11 inches for the entire day. Sugar Bowl is forecasting up to 2 feet of new snow by Christmas morning. The Judah Portal is now open and new terrain, including Disney Nose, Bacon’s, East Face and more will open Christmas Day. Sugar Bowl will operate 11 lifts with access to 60 trails.
Lake Tahoe Opening Dates
- Mt. Rose: open Nov. 18
- Boreal Mountain: open Nov. 18
- Northstar: open Nov. 23
- Heavenly: open Nov. 23
- Squaw Valley: open Nov. 23
- Alpine Meadows: open Nov. 23
- Soda Springs: open Nov. 23
- Sugar Bowl: open Nov. 25
- Kirkwood: open Nov. 25
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: open Nov. 26
- Homewood: open Dec. 9
- Tahoe Donner: open Dec. 9
- Diamond Peak: open Dec. 15
- Donner Ski Ranch: open Dec. 24
- Granlibakken: open Dec. 24
