Timely storms saved the Tahoe region from becoming a major winter vacation bust over the ultra-important Christmas holidays, dumping snow measured in feet, not inches.
It appears Mother Nature may deliver Tahoe ski resorts another weather gift as snow began coming down heavily Saturday throughout much of the region. And the good news for the resorts, much more appears on the way Sunday.
SEE TAHOE SNOW REPORT BELOW
Palisades Tahoe was reporting 14 inches of new snow Sunday morning and says the forecast is calling for 24-30 inches more by Monday
“Palisades Tahoe is getting a fresh snow blanket made by the minute,” Palisades spokesperson Maddy Condon said.
The National Weather Service is also forecasting heavy snow Sunday, predicting snow accumulations of 1-2 feet above 7,000 feet with up to 3 feet locally on the highest peaks. Snow accumulations could be 4-12 inches at lake level with up to 16 inches for communities west of Highway 89.
What’s not so appealing Sunday is it’s a challenging weather day for skiers and riders. Expect wind gusts of 25-40 mph at some resorts with ridgetop winds gusting over 70 mph at times. Temperatures are in the mid-20s to low 30s and potentially dipping to 22 degrees.
Early Sunday morning, Sugar Bowl was reporting that wind and weather may affect lift operations with delayed openings likely. The uphill was closed until after the current storm system passes. Sugar Bowl was reporting the most new snow in the region – 15 inches.
“We are fighting wind, rime and blowing snow. Expect delayed lift openings today,” Sugar Bowl warned skiers and riders.
The Christmas storms delivered more than 4 feet of snow, with certain resorts experiencing more than 6 feet at its mountain peaks. As another storm approaches in the new year, OpenSnow says many Tahoe resorts are close to opening all of their terrain.
Kirkwood and Mt. Rose are reporting the most overall snow this season with 135 inches at their peaks.
Entering Sunday, Palisades Tahoe had the most available terrain in Tahoe – 26 lifts accessing 123 trails. Heavenly was reporting 14 available lifts and 93 trails, while Kirkwood has 10 lifts, opening terrain on 55 trails.
TAHOE SNOW REPORT (January 4)
- Sugar Bowl: 15 inches
- Palisades Tahoe: 14 inches
- Mt. Rose: 11 inches
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: 10 inches
- Heavenly: 10 inches
- Northstar: 10 inches
- Tahoe Donner: 10 inches
- Kirkwood: 9 inches
- Diamond Peak: 6 inches
- Boreal: 5 inches
- Granlibakken: 5 inches
- Homewood: 3 inches
- Soda Springs: 3 inches
