It’s going to be a white Christmas this year at Lake Tahoe ski resorts.
How white, you ask? Extremely white.
Weather forecasters are predicting between 4 to 8 feet of snow falling, starting Tuesday evening and running through Saturday – Christmas Day.
After having virtually no snow throughout the month of November and a third of the way through December, Tahoe ski resorts received between 4 to 8½ feet of new snow last week, officially kicking off the 2021-22 season.
This week looks promising as well with multiple days of snow.
“Simulations continue to highlight the potential for active weather through Christmas into the New Year for the Sierra and Western Nevada,” says the National Weather Service (NWS).
CHRISTMAS WEATHER: On Christmas Eve, the NWS is forecasting heavy snow at times throughout the day in the Lake Tahoe region – as low as lake level.
Christmas Day will likely be a repeat, with more heavy snow and daytime temperatures likely in the high 20s and low 30s.
At Donner Pass along Interstate 80, weather forecasters are expecting between 6½ to a little more than 8 feet of snow between Tuesday and Christmas night. Along Highway 50 at Echo Summit, the snow will be piling up as well, likely 5 and 6½ feet.
HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS: The snow will have a significant impact on holiday travel, starting Tuesday evening.
Mountain travelers should be prepared for hazardous conditions, delays and chain controls for the entire week and possibly lasting through New Year’s Day.
“Gusty winds will further reduce visibilities with local whiteout conditions possible throughout this week,” the NWS says. “Holiday travelers should prepare for winter driving conditions by packing chains, warm winter clothes, and extra food and water.”
The NWS says Monday (Dec. 20) is the last clear weather travel day this week.
“There will be few, if any meaningful breaks in the weather for the Sierra once the storms begin on Tuesday, so plan ahead,” an NWS statement said.
SNOW DAZE: According to OpenSnow Forecaster Bryan Allegretto, there will be light snow starting Tuesday evening and running into Wednesday morning, accounting for only 1-4 inches at Tahoe ski resorts.
Allegretto says storms will become colder by Thursday with big totals possible by the end of the Christmas weekend.
On Monday, expect light winds and no precipitation. From a weather perspective, it might be the best day of skiing and riding during the Christmas holidays.
ALL TAHOE SKI RESORTS OPEN: On Saturday (Dec. 18), Tahoe Donner became the last of 12 Tahoe ski resorts to begin running lifts.
The lone opening exception is Sierra-at-Tahoe. Due to damage from the Calder Fire, the ski resort is hoping to open after the New Year.
There was no November snow in the Lake Tahoe region and last weekend there was only one non-beginner lift (Boreal Mountain) operating among all the Tahoe ski resorts.
However, that changed quickly last Sunday night (Dec. 13) when a sizable snow storm arrived that was desperately needed. Four days later, Tahoe ski resorts had received between 4 to 8½ feet of new snow, officially kicking off the 2021-22 season.
MONDAY TERRAIN UPDATES: Homewood has increased its availability to 6 lifts and 57 trails. In South Lake Tahoe, Heavenly has 14 lifts that are accessing 79 trails.
Sugar Bowl was reporting it was 99 percent open Sunday, offering access to 10 lifts and 104 runs. Palisades Tahoe began Monday with 23 lifts open, up from 15 that were operating Sunday.
Northstar is running 13 lifts and 71 runs. Family-friendly Granlibakken has its snow hill ready for skiing, riding, sledding and snow play.
