Lake Tahoe, Sierra brace for winter storms to arrive as Christmas travel period begins

A series of strong winter storms will arrive in three waves and when it is over, anywhere from 2 to 5 feet of snow will have dropped above Lake Tahoe, at ski resorts, on highways and throughout much of the Sierra in time for Christmas.

A Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect through Monday morning for Lake Tahoe and the Sierra as a strong series of systems moves into the region.

Periods of light to moderate snow will begin Friday and intensive early Saturday morning with moderate to heavy snow Saturday through Sunday night.

The weather service expects at least two feet of snow above 7,000 feet and 1 to 2 feet in the Lake Tahoe Basin. It expects most of the accumulation will happen west of Highway 89 where up to 3 to 5 five feet is possible.
Snow is expect to fall into western Nevada from Susanville to Reno to Carson City, Lyon County, Virginia City and Douglas County, all currently under a Winter Storm Watch. Go here for Carson City area weather information.

Because the storms are arriving during the peak travel time before Christmas, motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution traveling over mountain passes. Motorists should carry tire chains, a charged cell phone, extra food, water, blankets and warm clothing. With that, go here for the latest road conditions.

Here is a news release issued today by the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority about what's going on around South Shore Lake Tahoe for the holidays.

TAHOE SOUTH BRIMMING WITH SNOW IN TIME FOR HOLIDAYS
Resorts prepare for pre-Christmas storm systems to bring 3 to 5 feet

Another system of pre-holiday storms are expected to drop 3 to 5 feet of snow above 7,000 ft. at Tahoe South, ensuring every skier’s wish is granted by Santa. Snowfall from earlier this month has already guaranteed top to bottom skiing at area resorts.

Heavenly Mountain Resort, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood Mountain Resort are celebrating the arrival of the holidays with full operations, thousands of acres of skiable terrain for skiers and boarders on a bountiful supply of snow. Snowmobile rides overlooking the Best Lake in America are now open along with daily cruises on board the Tahoe Queen and M.S. Dixie II.

"It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas," cheered Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. "This is perfect timing for the holidays and sets up Tahoe South for a season full of laughter and good cheer on and off the slopes."

The storms are forecast to clear with roads open for easily accessible Christmas travel. A fleet of city and state snow removal vehicles around the Lake Tahoe Basin will keep the roads clear and safe. Caltrans has current California road conditions at www.dot.ca.gov or 1-800-427-ROAD (7623) or 916-445-7623. For road conditions in Nevada, contact the Nevada Department of Transportation at www.nevadadot.com or 877-687-6237. Travelers can also get up-to-the-minute online road information on their smart phones at NV.mobi as well as Tahoe South’s new mobile website.

For the most up-to-date information on snowfall, mountain base depths and road conditions in South Lake Tahoe, check area ski resort web sites and cams or call snow phones: Heavenly Web Cams – 775-586-7000; Sierra-at-Tahoe Web Cams – 530-659-7475; Kirkwood Web Cams – 209-258-3000 and Heavenly Village Web Cams.

Entertainment and Nightlife
Tahoe South's call of the wild extends from daytime hours on the slopes to its nightlife epicenter with star-studded entertainment, Grammy winning musicians, live music, lounge acts, 24-hour gaming and an active bar and social scene.

Heavenly Holidays is two weeks of festivities at Heavenly Village, now through New Year's Eve, featuring live music, ice sculpting, professional ice skaters and photos with Santa inside a giant snow globe. The celebration culminates Dec. 31 with “A Heavenly New Year Celebration” including a concert, fire dancers, ice sculptors, culminating with a 9 p.m. Gondola Drop. A decorated and illuminated car will descend from the mountaintop accompanied by a community countdown, all followed by a fireworks celebration to welcome 2013 (www.skiheavenly.com).

Harrah’s Lake Tahoe entertainment includes Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker, Dec. 21; Asleep at the Wheel, Dec. 22; Robert Randolph and Karl Denson, Dec. 28; The Fab Four Ultimate Tribute, Dec. 29; New Year's Eve Nightclub Party at Vex, Dec. 31; Tainted Love, Jan. 5, 2013; Jonny Lang, Jan. 12, 2013 and Gregg Allman, Jan. 19, 2013 (www.harrahslaketahoe.com).

MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa showroom entertainment/events line-up features an End of World Party, Dec. 21; SnowGlobe after parties, Dec. 29-31, New Year's Eve Nightclub Party at Opal Ultra Lounge, Blu Nightclub and Convention Center, Dec. 31; WFC Live Amateur Mixed Martial Arts, Jan. 12, 2013; Pool Party, Jan. 20; Mario Cantone, Jan. 26; Iration, Feb. 15; George Benson, Feb. 17; and Comedian Jo Koy, Feb. 23. (www.montbleuresort.com).

Getting to Tahoe South
The drive to Tahoe South from the Reno International Airport has been shortened, thanks to the opening of the new I-580 freeway. The six-lane, 65-mile-per-hour freeway is safer with new anti-icing technology and more convenient, reducing drive time by approximately 10 minutes. When factoring in the convenience of Reno Tahoe International Airport, voted the top airport for skiers by SKI Magazine, getting to South Lake Tahoe from the east has never been easier. South Tahoe Express also offers eight non-stop luxury coach shuttles from the airport daily; driving from the Bay Area is only a three plus-hour drive or a two-hour drive from Sacramento.

For real time updates on events, promotions, packages, conditions and events in Tahoe South, The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority is on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TahoeSouth, Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TahoeSouth, YouTube: www.youtube.com/LTVA. For Tahoe South information: 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463) or www.tahoesouth.com.