The snow keeps coming down throughout the region, so it’s no surprise that Tahoe ski resorts keep expanding their terrain.
The storm that began early Sunday morning and lasted through Tuesday evening in some areas, dropped between 3 to 6½ feet of snow on Tahoe ski resorts.
SEE TAHOE SNOW REPORT STORM TOTALS BELOW
The conditions Wednesday (Dec. 15) were in stark contrast to early last week when Tahoe ski resorts had a combined one non-beginner lift open at Boreal Mountain.
“We went from having just rocks to within three days having tons of snow,” said Sugar Bowl spokesperson Jon Slaughter, whose resort opened its season Wednesday. “The snow this week has been pretty spectacular.”
Thanks to 55 inches of snow from the storm, Sugar Bowl opened with five lifts and 34 runs for jubilant skiers and riders.
Also opening Wednesday was Homewood Mountain, a ski resort located on the west side of Lake Tahoe.
Homewood has received 47 inches this week and ran the Madden Chair. Like many Tahoe ski resorts, Homewood anticipates opening additional terrain throughout week.
Opening Thursday will be Diamond Peak. Located in Incline Village, the resort will open with top-to-bottom terrain and full services, including ski and snowboard lessons, and rental equipment.
NEW TERRAIN AT PALISADES: After having only beginner surface areas open for several weeks, the addition of 61 inches of snow allowed the resort to greatly expand its terrain Wednesday.
Awaiting skiers and riders Wednesday morning were the following lifts – Red Dog, Resort Chair, Treeline Cirque, and SnoVentures. Due to power issues, Far East Express was open periodically throughout the day.
Palisades will greatly expand its number of lifts throughout the week. Additional openings should include Roundhouse, Summit, Siberia, Gold Coast, Shirley Lake, Funitel, Aerial Tram, Belmont, Mountain Meadow, Bailey’s Beach & Big Carpet.
The Alpine Meadows side of Palisades was closed all day due to power outages.
KIRKWOOD GETS 18 MORE INCHES: The snow slowed down considerably or subsided Tuesday afternoon at most Tahoe ski resorts. But Kirkwood was an exception.
The resort, located off Highway 88, easily had the most new snow awaiting skiers and riders Wednesday morning with the addition of 18 inches. That brought its storm total to 61 inches.
Kirkwood was running three lifts that accessed 22 runs.
MT. ROSE STILL CLOSED: Wednesday was another frustrating day for the Nevada ski resort, the closest one to Reno.
Mt. Rose has received 78 inches of snow, the most among Tahoe ski resorts by 17 inches. But it has been closed all week due to heavy snowfall, high winds, and the shutdown of its main road artery for skiers and snowboarders.
“Mt Rose was closed Monday due to blizzard conditions and closures (Tuesday, Wednesday) is due to Mt. Rose Highway being closed to the mountain from both Reno and Incline Village,” said Mt. Rose spokesperson Mike Pierce.
WEATHER FORECAST: More snow was due to arrive late Wednesday afternoon. The snowfall should become heavier Wednesday night and continue into Thursday.
The snow totals could be quite impressive. According to OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto, Tahoe ski resorts could receive between 13 and 32 inches. Getting the most snow could be Kirkwood (32), Palisades (28) and Sugar Bowl (28).
TAHOE SNOW REPORT (storm total, Dec. 15)
- Mt. Rose: 78 inches
- Palisades: 61 inches
- Kirkwood: 61 inches
- Boreal: 59 inches
- Sugar Bowl: 55 inches
- Soda Springs: 54 inches
- Northstar: 50 inches
- Heavenly: 48 inches
- Homewood: 47 inches
- Tahoe Donner: 44 inches
- Diamond Peak: 38 inches
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: NA
