Lake Tahoe area ski and weather news: The Mountain Resort Report©

Good morning Lake Tahoe skiers and riders! If you are visiting, welcome to Lake Tahoe.

Today is Thursday, December 8.

UP TO 4” OF FRESH SNOW & MIXED PRECIPITATION REPORTED AT RESORTS… GORTEX IS THE WORD OF THE DAY…

WINDS ARE IMPACTING OPERATION OF UPPER MOUNTAIN LIFTS… TAMARACK EXPRESS AT HEAVENLY ON WIND HOLD; UPPER MTN LIFTS AT SQUAW ON WIND HOLD… SUMMIT SIX AT ALPINE ON WIND HOLD… CALL AHEAD.
R1 & R2 CHAIN CONTROLS POSTED ON MOST HIGHWAYS IN AND AROUND LAKE TAHOE. I-80 IS OPEN WITH NO CONTROLS (CARRY CHAINS).

TODAY’S WEATHER (NWS GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA): Snow and rain with freezing rain possible near Truckee in the morning, then rain and snow in the afternoon. Snow level rising to 8000 feet. Snow accumulation up to 3 inches…with 3 to 6 inches above 7000 feet. Highs 39 to 49. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph in the afternoon. Ridge gusts up to 75 mph increasing to 90 mph in the afternoon.

TONIGHT: Rain and snow. Snow level 8500 feet. Snow accumulation up to 3 inches. Lows 31 to 41. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Ridge gusts up to 90 mph.

FRIDAY: Rain and snow likely. Snow level 8000 feet. Snow accumulation up to 3 inches. Highs 41 to 51. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Ridge gusts up to 90 mph.
**WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT TO 10 AM:
TIMING: RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO MIX WITH SNOW THIS MORNING. THERE IS A THREAT OF FREEZING RAIN ALONG I-80 EAST OF TRUCKEE THROUGH 8AM.
ADDITIONAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 2 INCHES…WITH 2 TO 4 INCHES ABOVE 7000 FEET.
FREEZING RAIN ACCUMULATIONS: UP TO ONE TENTH OF AN INCH NEAR AND EAST OF TRUCKEE.
SNOW LEVELS: RISING TO OVER 7000 FEET LATE THIS MORNING.
IMPACTS: A LIGHT COATING OF SNOW WITH BLACK ICE COULD CREATE VERY DIFFICULT TRAVEL CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY ALONG THE INTERSTATE 80 CORRIDOR. ICE WILL ALSO ACCUMULATE ON SIDEWALKS…TREE LIMBS AND POWER LINES. THOSE WITH TRAVEL PLANS ARE URGED TO MAINTAIN AN INCREASED AWARENESS WHILE DRIVING THIS MORNING. IT COULD BE ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS ALONG I-80 EAST OF TRUCKEE.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
EVEN LIGHT SNOWFALL OR ICE ACCRETION CAUSES MAJOR TRAVEL DELAYS, ESPECIALLY DURING PERIODS OF HIGH TRAFFIC VOLUME. BE SURE TO ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION. LEAVE EXTRA SPACE BETWEEN VEHICLES SINCE IT TAKES LONGER TO STOP ON SLICK ROADWAYS.

WHAT TO WEAR: Dress warm in layers with your GORTEX Wind Proof-Water Proof Jacket. Take a hat, beanie, and wear a Helmet for Safety. Also wear good Goggles and warm Gortex lined gloves. Don’t forget to use Sunscreen when the sun is out and Stay Hydrated at altitude!

SURFACE CONDITIONS: Surface Conditions are Variable with Fresh Wet Snow over Machine Made, Machine Groomed & Skier-Rider Packed Powder and Some Areas of Firm Packed snow below.

SAFETY MESSAGE: Stay on designated Opened Trails only. Keep an eye out for marked and unmarked obstacles. Slow Down and observe safety signs on trails with high concentration of skiers and riders… Know the Code! Always stay in control. Be able to avoid objects and people in your Path! Please stop to side of the run where it is safe and always check uphill for skiers and riders before restarting down hill. IF YOU VENTURE IN TO THE BACK COUNTRY “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!” For more info: http://sierraavalanchecenter.org

SOUTH SHORE LAKE TAHOE & SURROUNDING AREAS

*HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN RESORT: Is open reporting a base of 20”. 8 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP including Mountain Access from the Gondola, Big Easy, [Tamarack Express on WIND HOLD], Dipper & Comet Express… 14 Runs are open (12MG) including Orion’s & Dipper. (MG & SKRPP / 30F / Cldy-Mixed Precip / Mod-Strong Winds). Stagecoach scheduled to open Saturday. (Hwy 207: R1) Call Ahead for updates: 1-800-HEAVENLY / www.skiheavenly.com

*SIERRA AT TAHOE: (Hwy 50: R2) Is open reporting 2-4” of new on a base depth of 16-24”. 4 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) including Easy Rider Express, Rock Garden, Nob Hill & West Bowl Express. 26 trails are open (16MG), Plus Broadway Park. (MG & SKRPP / 34F / Snow Showers / Lt Winds). Snow Tubing & Snow Play Areas are open today. Adult Lift Ticket offered at $65. They have a variety of Season Passes available from $289 to $489. For more info call: 530-659-7475 / www.sierraattahoe.com

HOPE VALLEY OUTDOORS / CROSS COUNTRY: (Hwy 88/89: R2) Luther Pass – Pickett’s Junction:) Is waiting on snow and will open when conditions permit. For more info: 530-721-2015 / www.hopevalleyoutdoors.com

*KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 88: R2) is open reporting 1” of new on a base depth of 20”. 5 Lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, with Chairs #1, Chair #5 & Chair #11 & Chair #6 open. 22 runs are open (16MG). (MG & SKRPP / 31F / Snow Showers/ Lt-Mod Winds). Kirkwood XC Center is also open with 10km of track in the Meadow. Call Ahead for updates: 877-KIRKWOOD / www.kirkwood.com

NEVADA & EAST SHORE RESORTS

DIAMOND PEAK: (Hwy 28:) Is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. They are scheduled to open on Dec. 15. Mid Week and Full Season Passes are available from $69 to $469. Hosting Pass Holders Party with Film “Here and Now” on December 16. For more info call: 775-831-1177 / www.diamondpeak.com

*MT. ROSE SKI TAHOE: (Hwy 431: R1) Is open! They report 3-4” of new on a base of 23”. 5 lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, out of the Main Lodge on the Rose side, including Lakeview & Northwest 6, for top to bottom skiing & riding. 28 runs are open (20MG). (Powder, MG & SKRPP/ PCldy / 28F / Mod-Strong Winds). Santa Ski Crawl coming up on Dec. 10. Call Ahead for updates: 800-SKIROSE / www.mtrose.com

TRUCKEE AREA RESORTS

*NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA: (Hwy 267: R1) is open reporting 4” of new on a base depth of 18”. 10 Lifts are scheduled to operate (8:30-4) with Front Side & Back Side open, Including Big Springs Gondola, Highands Gondola, Arrow Express, Comstock, Tahoe Zephyr, Vista Express & Backside Express. 38 Runs are open (38MG) including Backside. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 36F / Mixed Precip / Lt-Mod Winds). Call Ahead for updates: 530-562-1330 / www.northstarcalifornia.com

TAHOE DONNER SKI AREA: is scheduled to open on December 9, or when conditions permit. Unrestricted Season Passes available for downhill skiing from $159 to $304. Or Combine downhill with XC from $79 to $419.

*TAHOE DONNER XC: is open on a base of 6-8”. They have 30 trails open offering 30km of groomed trails for XC Skiing & Snowshoeing. Fat Bikes allowed on single track trails only. ( Cldy / 37F / Lt Winds). No Dogs allowed today. For more info Call: 530-587-9484 / www.skitahoedonner.com

DONNER SUMMIT RESORTS

*BOREAL MOUNTAIN RESORT: (I-80: Open) Is open and reports a base depth of 25”. 3 Lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4) with Castle Peak Quad, Plus the Nugget Chair & Accelerator to the top open till 9:00pm. They have 20 runs open (7MG) & 2 Small Parks open with 11 features. (MG & SKRPP / Cldy / 38F / Lt Winds). Playland Tubing Park open (10-4). Call Ahead. Woodward Tahoe training open daily. 530-426-3666 / www.rideboreal.com

SODA SPRINGS WINTER RESORT: (I-80 to Hwy 40:) Is scheduled to re-open on weekends. Call Ahead. 530-426-3901 www.skisodasprings.com

*ROYAL GORGE XC: (I-80 to Hwy 40:) Is open (8:30-4) and operated by Sugar Bowl Resort. They plan to have 25 Tracks open, offering 55Km of trails. No Grooming due to rain – soft snow (Mixed Precip / 34F / Lt Winds). They are North America’s Largest Cross Country Skiing Resort offering 8 distinct Trail Systems, 9 different Warming Huts over 6000 Acres of terrain. 530-426-3871 / www.royalgorge.com

*SUGAR BOWL SKI RESORT: (I-80 to Hwy 40:) Is Open! They report 4” of new on a Base of 20-30”. 5 Lifts are scheduled to turn (9-4)-WWP, to offer top to bottom skiing & riding, including Mt. Lincoln, Disney, Christmas Tree & Nob Hill. 52 Runs are open (22MG). (Powder, MG & SKRPP / Mixed Precip / 26F / Lt-Mod Winds). Access will be from the Judah Portal & Gondola. For more info: 530-426-1111 / www.sugarbowl.com

*DONNER SKI RANCH: (Hwy 40:) is Closed midweek to reopen Dec 10-11. For more info: 530-426-3635 / www.donnerskiranch.com

WEST SHORE / NORTH LAKE TAHOE RESORTS

HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 89:) is scheduled to open on December 9 or when conditions permit. Season Passes range from $219 for Child to $589 Adult. For more info: Guest services: 530-525-2992. Snow Phone: 530-525-2900 / www.skihomewood.com

GRANLIBAKKEN RESORT: (Hwy 89:) Ski & Snowboard will open in December 16, or when conditions permit. They have 1” of new on a base of 4”. Their Sledding & Snow Play open today from 9-4:30. ( Mixed Precip / 37F / Lt-Mod Winds) Call Ahead: 530-581-7533 / www.granlibakken.com

*TAHOE XC CENTER: (Hwy 28:) Is CLOSED TODAY – RECEIVING RAIN will reopen tomorrow on a base of 4-8”. 8 trails are open offering 18km of groomed tracks. 1 Dog Friendly trail is also open. (Cldy-Rain / 38F / Lt Winds).

TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK: (Hwy 28, Tahoe City) Will continue to be operated by Tahoe XC with TCPUD. XC Trails, Snow Play & Ice Rink scheduled to open on Dec. 10. For more info: 530-583-1516 / www.wintersportspark.com

*ALPINE MEADOWS: (Hwy 89: R1) Reports 3” of new on a base of 28”. 7 Lifts & Tows scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, with Hot Wheels, Kangaroo, Roundhouse and beginner carpets. [Summit Six on WIND HOLD]. 22 Runs are open (9MG). (MG & SKRPP / 31F / Snow / Mod-Strong Winds). Squaw-Alpine Express Shuttle Running between resorts offered. For more info: 530-581-8374 / www.skialpine.com

*SQUAW VALLEY: (Hwy 89: R1) is open reporting 3” of new on a base of 31”. 15 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, with 9 lifts from the lower mountain including [The Aerial Tram on WIND HOLD] & Funitel, Far East, Red Dog & Squaw Creek; Plus 5 tows in the SnoVentures- Squaw Kids Beginners Area. And, [6 Lifts on the Upper Mountain on WIND HOLD including Bailey’s, Belmont, Big Blue, Gold Coast & Shirley Express] (9-3:30). 12 Trails open (8MG) Mountain Runs is open. (MG & SKRPP / 30F / Snow / Mod-Strong Winds). For more info: 530-452-4335 / www.squaw.com

CENTRAL SIERRA RESORTS

*MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395:) Is open and reports 5-12” of new on a base ranging from 28-64”. Top to Bottom Skiing & Riding is offered with 11 Lifts scheduled to operation (8:30-4)-WWP, out of the Main Lodge, including Chairs #1, #2, #3, #5, #6, #10 & #11; plus Lower & Upper Panorama Gondola. Plus, Chair 4, turning out of Canyon Lodge. 37 Trails are open (15MG), Plus the Main & Forest Trail Terrain Parks. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 26F / Snowing / Mod-Strong Winds). 888-766-9778 / www.mammothmountain.com

JUNE MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395:) Is scheduled to open on December 10 or when conditions permit. For more info call: 760-934-2224 / www.junemountain.com

YOSEMITE SKI & SNOWBOARD AREA: is scheduled to open on December 16. For more info Call: 209-372-1000 #5 / www.yosemitepark.com/dailysnowreport.aspx

DODGE RIDGE: (Hwy 108) Will open when conditions permit. They received 16” of snow from the last storm. Adult Season Passes available for $479 thru November 30. For more info – Snow Phone: 209-536-5300 / www.dodgeridge.com

BEAR VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 4 – Ebbetts Pass) Is Closed midweek and reopen next weekend. They report 2” of new on a base depth of 18”. 3 Lifts will operate (9-4), Cub Chair, Carpet & Bear Chair with 4 trails open & small terrain park. (MG MM PP / Mixed Precip / 32F / Lt-Mod Winds). $59. Lift Tickets. Season Pass available for $674. For more info: 209-753-2301 #2 / www.bearvalley.com

BEAR VALLEY XC CENTER: (Hwy 4) Is Open and reports 3” of new on a base depth of 18-20”. 16 trails are open = 16km of groomed track. Sledding & Tubing Areas are Closed (9-4). ( Snow-Mixed / 32F / Lt Winds). For more info: 209-753-2834 / www.bearvalleyxc.com

**CONDITIONS REPORTED AS OF 8:00AM AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO WIND AND WEATHER.
CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS:
All Roadways in around Lake Tahoe are open with R1 & R2 Restrictions. Call Ahead for updates. Or log on to www.nvroads.com
R1= Chains or Snow Tires Required: Hwy 207; Hwy 267; Hwy 431; Hwy 89 TC-TRKE…

R2= Chains Mandatory with exception of 4WD with 4 Snow Tires: Hwy 50, Hwy 89/88; Hwy 88…
Buckle Up and Drive Safely… Always Carry Tire Chains unless you drive a 4WD or AWD Vehicle with Snow Tires. You can call 5-11 for updates or directly to both Caltrans and NDOT or source updated information at their websites.
CALIFORNIA: 800-427-7623 / www.dot.ca.gov
NEVADA: 877-NV-ROADS or 5-1-1 / www.nvroads.com

For more information on biking and skiing Lake Tahoe, visit http://www.bikeandskitahoe.com/