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

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

Today is Sunday, December 25, 2016.

MOTHER NATURE AND SANTA DELIVERED WITH FRESH SNOW & BLUE SKIES REPORTED AT ALL RESORTS AND SHAPING UP TO BE GREAT CHRISTMAS DAY ON THE SLOPES. CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS ON THE MOUNTAIN… HAVE FUN AND PATIENCE WITH HOLIDAY LINES… STAY ON OPENED RUNS ONLY AND BE SAFE!

TODAY’S WEATHER (NWS GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA): Expect Sunny Skies in the morning then becoming Partly Cloudy. Light snow showers south of Lake Tahoe may result in light accumulations in South Lake Tahoe early this morning. Highs: 25F to 30F (15F-20F on the Slopes). Light winds.

TONIGHT: Partly Cloudy in the evening then clearing. Lows: 6F below to 4F above zero. Light winds.

MONDAY: Sunny. Highs: 28F to 33F. Light winds.

WHAT TO WEAR: Dress in Warm in layers with your Good Jacket or outer Shell. Take a hat, beanie, neck-face gaiter and wear a Helmet for Safety. Also wear good Sunglasses or Goggles and warm gloves. Don’t forget to use Sunscreen & Chapstick when the sun is out and Stay Hydrated at altitude!

SURFACE CONDITIONS: Surface Conditions are Variable with a mixture of Powder over Machine Groomed & Skier-Rider Packed Snow and Some Areas of Firm Packed Snow.

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 5” of new and storm total of 15” on a base of a base of 40-59”. 20 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (8:30-4) with 11 lifts in California including the Gondola, Aerial Tram & Gunbarrel Express, Canyon Express with Sky Express open to the top; And, 9 Lifts in Nevada with access from Stagecoach with Olympic, Comet & Dipper turning at the top. You can access NV from California via Sky Express. 81 Trails are open (33MG). Plus, Comet T-Park & EpicMix Racing Course open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 6F / Clear / Lt Winds). Complimentary Shuttles running to all open base facilities. (Hwy 207:) Call Ahead for updates: 1-800-HEAVENLY / www.skiheavenly.com

*SIERRA AT TAHOE: (Hwy 50:) Is open reporting 1” of new and storm total of 16” on a base depth of 26-48”. 11 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (8:30-4) including Grandview Express & West Bowl on the Front Side and Short Stuff on the Backside. 39 trails are open (30MG), Plus Broadway, Upper Main & The Alley T-Parks. (Powder, MG & SKR PP / 8F / Clear / Lt Winds). Blizzard Mtn. Open with Snow Tubing & Snow Play Areas open. Complimentary Shuttles are running from So Shore… For more info call: 530-659-7475 / www.sierraattahoe.com

*HOPE VALLEY OUTDOORS / CROSS COUNTRY: (Hwy 88/89: R2) Luther Pass – Pickett’s Junction:) Received 10-12” of new snow from this last storm… The Yurt will be open today (11-3) at Pickett’s Junction for XC, Snowshoe rentals with limited XC & Snowshoe trails available with more trails at Red Lake & Carson Pass areas. There are no fees to access trails in Hope Valley, but donations are gladly accepted… For more info call: 530-721-2015 / www.hopevalleyoutdoors.com

*KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 88:) is open reporting 4-6” of new and storm total of 16-18” on a base depth of 51-71”. 10 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) with Chairs #1, Chair #5, Chair #11, Chair #6 & Chair #10 open out of the Village. Plus, Chairs #2, #3 & #4 to the Back Side and Chairs #7 & Chair #9 open at Timer Creek Lodge. 86 runs are open (27MG). Outlaw & Bandit T-Parks open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 7F / MClear / Lt Winds). Kirkwood XC Center is also open with 40km of track in the Meadow & Schneider Camp Loop. Call Ahead for updates: 877-KIRKWOOD / www.kirkwood.com

NEVADA & EAST SHORE RESORTS

*DIAMOND PEAK: (Hwy 28: R1) Is open, reporting storm total of 10” on a base depth of 24-40”. 4 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4) including Lakeview & Crystal Express to the top, Lodgepole & Schoolhouse. 11 Runs are open (7MG), plus T-Park with 4 features (Powder, MG & SKR PP / 11F / Clear / Lt Winds). For more info call: 775-831-1177 / www.diamondpeak.com

*MT. ROSE SKI TAHOE: (Hwy 431: R1) Is open and reports 1” of new, 11-15” Storm total on a base of 58”. 6 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) including Wizard, Galena, Flying Jenny. Plus, Northwest 6 & Blazing Zephyr opens at 8:30am on Slide Bowl Side for top to bottom skiing & riding. Chuter Lift & The Chutes remain closed. 51 runs are open (39MG). Pondo T-Park open with 5 features and Badlands Park open with 8 features. (Powder, MG & SKRPP/ MClear / 2F / Lt Winds). Call Ahead for updates: 800-SKIROSE / www.mtrose.com

TRUCKEE AREA RESORTS

*NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA: (Hwy 267:) is open reporting 4” of new and storm total of 17” on a base depth of 22-49”. 18 Lifts are scheduled to operate (8:30-4) with Front Side, Back Side & Lookout Mtn open. 68 Runs are open (36MG) Plus, 3 areas of Glade Skiing. 2 T-Parks open with 55 features. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 11F / Cldy / Lt Winds). XC Center is open (8:30-4) with 6 trails = 5 km of groomed trails for snow shoeing. The Village Ice Rink is open 12-9pm. Call Ahead for updates: 530-562-1330 / www.northstarcalifornia.com

*TAHOE DONNER SKI AREA: is open and reports a base depth of 22-34”. 4 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (12-4) with 1 run open. (MGPP / MClear / 6F / Lt Winds).

TAHOE DONNER XC: is open (12-4:30) offering 19 trails for XC Skiing & Snowshoeing (No fat tire biking or dogs allowed today). (MClear / -2F / Lt Winds). For more info Call: 530-587-9484 / www.skitahoedonner.com

DONNER SUMMIT RESORTS

*BOREAL MOUNTAIN RESORT: (I-80:) Is open and reports 15” of new and storm total of 17” on a base depth of 40”. 5 Lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 49er Chair, Nugget Chair, Cedar Ridge & Castle Peak & Accelerator to the top open till 9:00pm. They have 20 runs open (7MG) & 4 T-Parks open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / MClear / 15F / Lt Winds). 2 Lifts will operate till 9:00pm-WWP. Playland Tubing Park open (10-4). Woodward Tahoe training open daily. For more info: 530-426-3666 / www.rideboreal.com

*SODA SPRINGS WINTER RESORT: (I-80: to Hwy 40:) Is open on a base of 30”. 2 Chairs, Lion’s Head & Crystal Bowl will operate (10-4) with 6 Trails open. Plus, Planet Kids, Tube Carousel & Tube Town. (MG & SKRPP/ MClear / 10F / Lt Winds). Sleigh Rides also offered. Call Ahead. 530-426-3901 www.skisodasprings.com

*ROYAL GORGE XC: (I-80: to Hwy 40:) Is open (8:30-4). They report 18” of new snow and now have 38 Tracks open = 40Km of groomed trails (Lt Snow / 10F / 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 16-18” of storm total on a base of 24-41”. 5 Lifts & Access Gondola are scheduled to turn (9-4) including Mt. Lincoln to the top, Disney, Christmas Tree & Nob Hill. 58 Runs are open (29MG). (Powder, MG & SKRPP / MClear / 15F / Lt Winds). Access will be from the Judah Portal & Gondola. For more info: 530-426-1111 / www.sugarbowl.com

*DONNER SKI RANCH: (Hwy 40:) is open for the Holidays. They report 12” of new on a base of 18-28”. 6 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) Runs are being groomed out. (MG & SKRPP / MClear / 16F / Lt Winds) Tubing Hill is also open today. For more info: 530-426-3635 / www.donnerskiranch.com

WEST SHORE / NORTHLAKE TAHOE RESORTS

*HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 89:) is open and reports 4-8” of new and storm total of 12-26” on a base depth of 15-30”. 6 Lifts & tows will operate (9-4) with the Madden Chair, Ellis Chair & Old Homewood Express turning. 21 runs open (9MG). (Powder, MG PP/ Clear / 12F / Lt Winds). For more info: Guest services: 530-525-2992. Snow Phone: 530-525-2900 / www.skihomewood.com

*GRANLIBAKKEN RESORT: (Hwy 89:) Ski & Snowboard is open (9-4:30) with 2 Tows and limited terrain on base of 6”. Their XC Trails, Sledding & Snow Play are open Daily. (9-4:30). (Clear/ 4F / Lt Winds) Call Ahead: 530-581-7533 / www.granlibakken.com

*TAHOE XC CENTER: (Hwy 28:) reports receiving 8” of new snow. They have 9 open trails offering 25Km of groomed tracks. (Clear / 7F / 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 are open. The new Ice Rink is open, Sunday-Thursdays (12-9pm) Friday-Saturday (10am-10pm). For more info: 530-583-1516 / www.wintersportspark.com

*ALPINE MEADOWS: (Hwy 89:) Reports 9” of new, 26” Storm total on a base of 53”. 9 Lifts & Tows scheduled to operate (9-4) with Hot Wheels, Roundhouse, Alpine Bowl & Summit Six turning. 47 Runs are open (12MG). (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 10F / MClear / Lt 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 8” of new and 23” storm total on a base of 57”. 24 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 13 lifts from the lower mountain including Aerial Tram & The Funitel, Far East, Red Dog & Squaw Creek; Plus 5 tows in the SnoVentures- Squaw Kids Beginners Area open. 11 Lifts scheduled for the Upper Mountain, including Siberia, Granite Chief & Shirley Lake. Gold Coast Turning. 51 Trails open (32MG). Belmont & Gold Coast T-Parks open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 7F / MClear / Lt Winds). For more info: 530-452-4335 / www.squaw.com

CENTRAL SIERRA RESORTS

*MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395: R1) Is open and reports a base ranging from 66-150”. 24 Lifts & Tows scheduled to operation (8:30-4), with 13 Lifts out of the Main Lodge, Plus, Village Gondola & 8 Lifts turning out of Canyon Lodge, and 3 Lifts out of Eagle Lodge. 153 Trails are open (88MG), Plus 5 Terrain Parks open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 11F / MClear / Lt Winds). 888-766-9778 / www.mammothmountain.com

*JUNE MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395: R1) Is open reporting 6-12” storm total on a base of 8-42”. 6 Lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4). 26 trails open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP/ -9F / MClear / Lt Winds). For more info call: 760-934-2224 / www.junemountain.com

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

*DODGE RIDGE: (Hwy 108) Will open today. They have a base of 12-18”. 5 Lifts & Tows will operate (9-4). 34 Trails are open (19MG) (Powder& MGPP / MClear / 9F / Lt Winds). For more info call: 209-536-5300 / www.dodgeridge.com

*BEAR VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 4:) – (Ebbetts Pass Closed) Is open daily reporting storm total of 12” on a base depth of 30”. 6 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 29 Trails open (20MG) + T-Park. (Powder, MG & SKR PP / Clear / 7F / Lt Winds). For more info: 209-753-2301 #2 / www.bearvalley.com

*BEAR VALLEY XC CENTER: (Hwy 4:) Is Open and reports 1” of new on a base depth of 20-24”. 17 trails are open = 16km of groomed track & Skating lanes. Sledding & Tubing Areas are open today (9-2). (Clear/ 0F / 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.
CURENT ROAD CONDITIONS:
R1= Chains or Snow Tires Required: Hwy 50-Spooner Summit, Hwy 28 East Shore & North Shore, Hwy 431 Mt Rose,
R2= Chains Mandatory with exception of 4WD with 4 Snow Tires: Hwy 89/88 Meyers to Picketts Junction.
All OTHER Roadways in and around Lake Tahoe are open and Free of Controls-Carry Tire Chains. Call Ahead for updates. Or log on to www.nvroads.com
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 on biking and skiing in Lake Tahoe: bikeandskitahoe.com.