Skiers, boarders and snow resort managers are all celebrating the series of storms that have blanketed the Sierra Nevada with feet of snow at higher elevations last week.
The fresh snow Mother Nature delivered was exactly what was needed to allow resorts to start turning many more lifts. It will take more snow before resorts reach full operation, but most Lake Tahoe area resorts were running at about 50 percent or more capacity.
The exception was Kirkwood south of Lake Tahoe on Highway 88. It opened up the entire resort on Dec. 7.
| For instance, at Squaw Valley/ Alpine Meadows in Truckee, 165 of 230 trails are open with 27 of 42 lifts running. |
Nearby Northstar at Tahoe had 69 of 97 trails available with 11 of 20 lifts planned to turn on Wednesday. Both had received 6 inches of fresh snow on Dec. 5.
At South Lake Tahoe, the Heavenly Resort had 36 of 97 trails open with 16 of 28 lifts scheduled to turn.
On Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl was nearly in full operation with nine of 12 lifts turning and 91 of 102 trails open. It has 45 inches of snow at the summit.
Despite no fresh snow, most resorts have increased their operations over the last week.
The conditions are unlikely to change much because the 10-day forecast on weather.com shows no show is expected until Sunday, Dec. 16 or the following Monday.
If you’re headed for the South Lake Tahoe area, check out afew of ACES’ favorite restaurants here.