It was a festive atmosphere at three Lake Tahoe ski resorts that opened for the 2018-19 season, Friday, Nov. 16.
A pair of Vail Resorts in Lake Tahoe – Northstar California, Heavenly Mountain – ran lifts for the first time since last spring. Also opening was Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows.
A third Vail Resort in Lake Tahoe – Kirkwood Mountain – is scheduled to open Wednesday, Nov. 21, weather permitting.
The three openings brought the number of Lake Tahoe ski resorts now offering skiing and snowboarding to five. Mt. Rose was the first Lake Tahoe area ski resort to open for the season Oct. 19, followed by Boreal Mountain on Nov. 9. Previously open on weekends only, Mt Rose just announced it will be open seven days a week, starting Nov. 16.
Weather forecasts this weekend for Lake Tahoe have highs in the 50s and lows from the teens to low 20s. The Tahoe weather is quite a contrast to the Sacramento region and other parts of Northern California, where air quality is very poor due to the Camp Fire in Paradise.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) was 7 on Friday in South Lake Tahoe as of 6 a.m. The AQI on Friday in Sacramento peaked at more than 400, denoting very hazardous air quality conditions.
Northstar opened with three trails and one park, while Heavenly kicked off its opening day with the Gondola and Tamarack Express operating. Two magic carpets and the First Venture chairlift were running at the Squaw Valley SnoVentures Activity Zone, where skiers and snowboarders could access beginner terrain and the Mountain Run.
The crucial Thanksgiving holidays are looming, an important weekend for not only the Lake Tahoe ski resorts, but the entire Tahoe region. According to weather forecasters at OpenSnow, the Lake Tahoe area could see the first storms of the winter season as soon as Thanksgiving weekend.
All three resorts opening Friday upgraded their snowmaking capabilities over the summer. Squaw has invested millions in upgrades to facilities in the past seven months.
“We have continued to invest in snowmaking technology, and we are seeing that pay off this season,” said Ron Cohen, president and COO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. “Our snowmakers are some of the best in the business, and they are working tirelessly to get the resort open for our guests. It’s amazing to see our snowmaking and grooming teams putting a great snow surface together, even without natural snow, and even with largely unfavorable snowmaking conditions.”
The first guests of the season at Alpine Meadows were welcomed with free coffee and complimentary Yeti mugs.
Heavenly had DJs starting at 8 a.m. at the lake-level Heavenly Village and on the mountain by 9 a.m. A ski and snowboard gear raffle took place outside Tamarack Lodge at 11:30 a.m.
Northstar is hosting a “Welcome Winter” celebration all weekend. The activities got underway Friday, featuring s’mores, sleigh rides, live music, and more. Saturday will focus on a “Salutation to the Season” and a “Pass Holder Pub Crawl.”
Soda Springs Mountain: The family-friendly resort that caters to young children opened Planet Kids and Tube Town on Friday, marking the resort’s earliest opening in 85 years of operation.
Planet Kids, a snow playground designed for children (7-under), and Tube Town will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Thanksgiving.
