Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts Remain Closed As Storm Rages On
As of Sunday, March 3rd, Lake Tahoe is in the midst of the biggest snowstorm of the season--and it may seem as if there's no end in sight.
This morning, what started out as a planned, delayed opening turned into yet another full-day of lift closures for both Palisades Tahoe, CA, and Alpine Meadows.
Palisades announced that they made this call due to the rapidly-accumulating snow, high winds, and low visibility. On the bright side, officials at the resort hope to open things back up tomorrow (with delays).
The resort has racked up 31 inches in the last 24 hours and 72 inches over the last week. The blizzard is forecast to continue on: 6-10 inches are scheduled to fall today, with 3-7 inches tonight, and 1-2 inches during the day tomorrow, with 3-5 inches overnight. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday all call for a couple more inches to dust things off.
Palisades Tahoe isn't the only resort that closed today due to the ongoing storm.
Boreal Mountain and Woodward Tahoe also suspended operations today due to dangerous road conditions for drivers, high winds, and low visibility.
While the resorts saw 40 inches overnight, with snow in the forecast every day this week except Friday, the winds are to blame for the lift closures.
Sierra-at-Tahoe is closed today. Their snow reporter wrote, that "the storm’s intensity did not let up — in fact it doubled down overnight."
Due to Highway 50 closing multiple times through the night, and wind drifts as high as 15 feet on Sierra-at-Tahoe Road, overnight efforts were primarily focused on just keeping access up our road so mountain ops could continue to get their job done.
Officials at Sierra-at-Tahoe warn people to not attempt travel to the resort today. Heavy machinery is working on the roads and on the mountain.
Mt. Rose is also closed today, due to the closure of SR 431, the road required to reach the resort.
Kirkwood is running 3 out of 13 lifts today, with 20 out of 79 trails open.
Northstar is operating 4 out of 19 lifts today, with 53 out of 100 trails open. Arrow Express, The Big Easy Quad, Vista Express, and The Big Springs Express Gondola are on tap at the resort today.
Heavenly seems to be the best option today, with 11 out of 27 lifts open, and 96 out of 97 trails open.
Outside of the resorts, The Sierra Avalanche Center also reports that avalanche danger is high above, near, and below treeline, with an avalanche warning in effect until the end of the day Sunday, March 3rd for the Central Sierra Nevada.
Steve Raynaud writes that the bottom line for backcountry skiers is that "dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the backcountry. Heavy snow and gale force winds will continue to load the snowpack. Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended today."
No matter where you choose to go (or not go) it is important to exercise precaution with this much snow, wind, and general difficulties presenting themselves from Mother Nature.
When things calm down, it will be worth it, but you can't ski if you hurt yourself in the meantime.
Related: Utah Ski Resort Announces Multi-Day Closure
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