Low Snowfall Forces Californian Ski Resort To Delay Opening Day

Ian Greenwood
·2 min read
3

Yesterday, November 15th, Heavenly Mountain Resort, California, announced that it won't open this Friday as previously planned, citing warm temperatures and low snowfall.

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Heavenly reports that it'll be able to open with "a few more nights of the right conditions to make more snow" and that local skiers should "stay tuned for more updates."

Those who already purchased a ticket for opening day will receive an automatic refund.

The postponement serves as a reminder that planned opening dates at ski resorts are always tentative. Like it or not, Mother Nature has the final say, so plan accordingly. For instance, last season, the resort opened on November 12th after an early-season snowfall -- the arrival of snow, or lack thereof, can go both ways.

Heavenly isn't alone in facing warmer temperatures and delayed operating schedules. Several western resorts, including Snowbasin Resort and Telluride Ski Resort, have postponed their opening days.

Mt. Rose remains the only ski resort open in the Lake Tahoe area.

Related: Major Colorado Ski Resort Delays Opening Day

It's difficult to spin a delayed ski season in a positive light. Believe me, I'm trying. But when you've spent all summer looking ahead to those first turns of the season, only to have them yanked away, it stings.

I'd offer an alternative to fretting over lost ski days, but as someone who's also wading through unseasonally warm forecasts daily, I don't have it figured out either. Denial seems to work okay? Or, if you're truly committed, you could find the largest gravel pile and give that a rip. I heard it almost feels like skiing powder (for my sake and yours, don't actually try gravel skiing).

Jokes aside, we're sending snowy vibes Heavenly's direction. Here's to a little more nip in that long-range forecast.

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