Tahoe ski resorts are still awaiting that one huge dump, the kind that has the local skiers and snowboarders measuring the white stuff in feet, not inches.
Although several Tahoe ski resorts did get some solid totals over the past two days, overall the weekend snowfall was disappointing. Warmer than usual daytime and evening temperatures in the mid-20s combined to make weekend snowfall wet and slushy.
However, the bottom line – this weekend snow is better than nothing, which is what most Tahoe ski resorts were regularly reporting throughout the first two months of the season. It has snowed frequently in January and the season totals for many resorts have drifted over the 100-inch mark (see below).
SEE TAHOE SNOW REPORT BELOW
Palisades Tahoe was typical of many Tahoe ski resorts. On its website, the resort was reporting “sticky, heavy snow, rain at the base. Another 5 inches of snow fell on the upper mountain over the past 24 hours, with mostly rain and a little wet snow near the base. That brings the 3-day total on the upper mountain to 14 inches of sticky wet snow.”
Boreal Mountain was more fortunate than its resort rivals, reporting 12 inches by Sunday morning and a weekend total of 22 inches. Both Tahoe Donner and Soda Springs had the next best weekend totals with 18 inches.
“These storms have been rolling through with snow levels almost directly at our (Boreal) base level, which is slightly higher than the base of other (area resorts) like Soda Springs and Sugar Bowl,” said Boreal spokesperson Tucker Norred. “Conditions are looking good for Monday with about 7 more inches on the way throughout today with a clear night.”
AVALANCHE ALERT: The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a high avalanche danger warning Monday (Jan. 22) for Lake Tahoe backcountry. The center does not recommend travel in or near avalanche terrain.
The Tahoe region is expecting more seasonably warm temperatures and the heavy snow and the anticipated strong winds will likely produce very large and dangerous avalanches.
The service says drivers can expect road conditions to vary from wet to slushy and snow covered across the Tahoe region throughout Monday.
SNOWFALL SEASON TOTALS: Thanks to frequent snowfall in January, six Tahoe ski resorts now have recorded 100 or more inches of snow for the 2023-24 season.
As of Monday morning (Jan. 22), Sugar Bowl was reporting the most snow this season with 151 inches, followed by Boreal with 130. The 100-inch club also includes Mt. Rose (123), Palisades Tahoe (121), Kirkwood (109) and Northstar California (101). Sierra-at-Tahoe is nearly there with 98 inches.
However, several other resorts haven’t been nearly as fortunate. Heavenly received only 1 inch of snow over the weekend, putting its season total at 68 inches. Homewood was the last Tahoe ski resort to open this season and currently has 47 inches of snowfall. Family-friendly Diamond Peak has gotten 54 inches.
LAST YEAR’S MONUMENTAL SNOW TOTALS: A year ago, the snow totals were off the charts with sizable storm after storm descending on the Tahoe region.
Last Jan. 19, Sierra-at-Tahoe was reporting a whopping 377 inches, the most among Tahoe ski resorts. Sierra officials said it was highest recorded snow total historically for this early in the season. This year Sierra-at-Tahoe has 98 inches.
There were eight Tahoe ski resorts reporting 300 or more inches for the 2022-23 season by the third week in January. Kirkwood was right behind Sierra-at-Tahoe with 376 inches. Other resorts with 300-plus inches included Palisades Tahoe (366), Sugar Bowl (355), Boreal (351), Mt. Rose (337), Northstar (336), Homewood (315), and Heavenly (308).
WEATHER FORECAST: Clouds and showers are still over the Tahoe region as moisture continues to move through Monday.
The rain and snow showers will be more scattered throughout the day before diminishing Monday evening and clearing overnight. Highs should be in the 30s. Winds are on the lighter side, gusting up to 30-40 mph over the ridges. Snow levels will continue to fluctuate between 6,000-7,000 feet.
If sunny weather is your thing, plan on hitting the slopes Tuesday. The forecast is calling for partly sunny skies. The next snowfall is
supposed to happen Wednesday (Jan. 24) and may mirror the Sunday offerings with rain and wet snow for the lower elevations and 1-4 inches of snow for the upper mountain by early Thursday morning.
TAHOE SNOW REPORT (Jan. 21-22 totals)
- Boreal: 12-10 – 22 inches
- Soda Springs: 10-8 – 18 inches
- Tahoe Donner: 12-6 – 18 inches
- Sugar Bowl: 9-8 – 17 inches
- Palisades Tahoe: 5-8 – 13 inches
- Mt. Rose: 6-4 – 10 inches
- Homewood: 3-7 – 10 inches
- Northstar: 3-6 – 9 inches
- Kirkwood: 7-2 – 9 inches
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 4-4 – 8 inches
- Granlibakken: 4-4 – 8 inches
- Diamond Peak: 2-3 – 5 inches
- Heavenly: 1-0 – 1 inch
