snowmaking

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Local Vail resorts took advantage of the season's first cold spell and turned on their snowmaking machines at both Heavenly and Northstar at Lake Tahoe.

They will be working on a solid base for the upcoming 2020-21 winter season as long as the dry, old air continues.

Both of these resorts will be opening on November 20 while Kirkwood is aiming to open on December 4. Kirkwood's systems are set to kick in later this week, conditions permitting.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sierra-at-Tahoe announced today they will begin spinning lifts for the 2019-20 Winter Season this Saturday, November 30, at 8:30 a.m.

After a slow start to November, Mother Nature has turned on the tap, bringing Sierra two feet of snow and counting in the last 48 hours. This, combined with Sierra’s snowmaking efforts, will allow the resort to open for operations. Conditions permitting, Sierra plans to run Easy Rider Express, Rock Garden Chair and two surface lifts, with access to 2 runs and one terrain park.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - While the below-average low temperatures in Lake Tahoe area may be causing some to sadden at the changing of the seasons, ski resorts are moving into high gear and taking advantage of the cold to make snow.

Both cold temperatures and dry air combine to create ideal conditions for making snow.

Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort, Northstar California Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort are all planning to take advantage of this week’s cool weather window to build a solid base for the upcoming winter season.

November 11 update: The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Lake Wind
Advisory for Lake Tahoe, which is in effect from 6:00 p.m. Saturday to 3:00 p.m. Sunday. Winds will be from the northeast to east 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Wave Heights: 2 to 3 feet. Highest waves from mid-lake to the western shores.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Cold overnight temperatures are allowing ski resort snowmaking teams to get a snow base going, but there is no snowstorm activity forecast in the near future.

A project to improve existing skiing and snowboarding terrain at Heavenly Mountain Resort was approved this week by the USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU).

Improvements will include selective widening of ski trails, removing trail obstacles and relocation and/or realignment of some portions of existing snowmaking air and water pipelines to improve user experience, maintain user safety, increase energy and water efficiency, and maintain native species.

Heavenly Mountain Resort has taken steps to improve their skiing and snowboarding terrain while also adding energy and water efficiency changes.

Improvements would include selective widening of ski trails, removing trail obstacles and relocation and/or realignment of some portions of existing snowmaking air and water pipelines, increase energy and water efficiency as they seek to improve safety and maintain native species.

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe will offer a little tease of skiing and snowboarding as they open for two days, Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28. They are the first Lake Tahoe area resort to open this season.

There will be limited terrain available for skiing and snowboarding. Mt. Rose will offer access to one beginner ski trail accessed by the Wizard chairlift from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. both days. Lift tickets will be available for $20 for guests ages 16+, and $10 for children ages 15 and under.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Mike Goar has been named the new Heavenly Mountain Resort chief operating officer, with additional oversight of the company’s Kirkwood Mountain and Northstar California resorts.

Goar is coming from Vail Resort's Keystone resort in Colorado where his is the current vice president and chief operating officer.

LAKE TAHOE, CALIF., - The Northstar Mountain Master Plan was approved Tuesday by the Placer County Board of Supervisors, providing a roadmap for the next 20 years for the North Lake Tahoe resort.

The higher elevations saw a very small glimpse of winter this week as snow dusted the peaks around Lake Tahoe, but not too small to keep Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows from announcing their opening date for this winter.

They announced today that they'll open between November 11 and 18, earlier than their November 23 opening date last year. The resorts hosted the longest season in 2015-16 by staying open until May 30 with over 41 feet of cumulative snowfall.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows was voted 2016 Best Ski Resort in North America by USA Today and 10 Best Readers’ Choice.

Volunteering at Heavenly Mountain Resort’s 2/22 “Adopt A Day of Nourishment” dinner, Kyle Hayes was very excited about his time spent helping the B&B volunteers and serving the evening’s dinner guests. “Having the opportunity to serve the community alongside the Bread & Broth volunteers was an amazing experience for all of us,” he said. “To feed citizens in need; to share a conversation and positive experience, is something that always leaves a lasting impression.”

Last week we had the opportunity to attend a field trip at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Thanks to a grant written by STEEC member, Devin Middlebrook (TRPA Environmental Education Specialist), EPIC Promise (through Vail Resorts – Heavenly) covered the cost of transportation, lift tickets for the tram ride, use of snowshoes, and presenters. The day was well planned and all went smoothly.

We learned much about our environment including local animals, avalanche safety and snowmaking. And luckily we enjoyed a “blue bird” day at the top of the tram!

Mother Nature has put in her best effort and the opening date at both Heavenly and Northstar have been moved up to November 14. The new snow totals overnight, combined with both the anticipated snowfall Monday night and snowmaking efforts, have helped the resorts open a week early.

Sierra-at-Tahoe hasn't given an opening date but Kirkwood has put November 21 on the calendar for their big day. Sierra's marketing team told South Tahoe Now that they are getting excited since snow is falling, and plan on opening as soon as possible.

Boreal and Mt. Rose resorts have already opened.

"You have to adapt to changes in life or you won't survive," John Rice told a crowd at Wednesday's 'Tahoe Talks' held at LTCC.

"Change is happening, clearly we're in a drought, whether it's here for short term, or long term, time will tell," said Rice, the VP and General Manager of Sierra-at-Tahoe. "The ski industry has the most to lose in a drought."

Sierra-at-Tahoe is the latest Lake Tahoe area ski resort to announce that it will suspend operations, beginning Monday, because of the lack of snow brought on by the ongoing drought in the west.

Vail Resorts announced the opening of the Terrain Park and Mombo Trail just in time for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, one of the biggest winter weekends in South Lake Tahoe.

Groove Park is Heavenly’s most popular progression park, providing an ideal learning environment for beginners with a variety of features including five rails, one bonk and two jumps.

Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar California and Kirkwood Mountain Resort, opened up sales for their 2014-15 season passes.

Starting at $409 with as little as $49 down and the balance due in the fall, skiers and riders have until April 13 to secure the best available price for winter 2014-15 season passes and six buddy tickets.

Just in time for the Martin Luther King holiday, Lake Tahoe's Heavenly Mountain Resort is opening Boulder Lodge, Boulder Lift and Boulder Bowl on the Nevada side of the mountain.

Even with only 2-3" of new snow over the last few weeks, snow making operations are going to allow skiers to access the mountain from all four base mountain lodges.

Also opening on Saturday is Groove run for ski-thru, with a single jib line featuring seven small rails and boxes on the left-hand side of the run as well as EpicMix Racing, located on lower Ridge Run.

Heavenly Mountain Resort will open the California side of the resort on Saturday, December 21, expanding open terrain to include Ridge Run, Patsy’s, Maggie’s, Skyline Trail, Sky Chute, and the beginner areas of the Enchanted Forest and DMZ near the California Main Lodge. With the opening of Skyline Trail and California Trail, guests will be able to ski and ride to and from the California side to the Nevada side and access top-to-bottom skiing and riding on the Nevada side. With the California opening, the resort will operate 19 lifts, accessing 17 trails and 13.5 miles of skiable terrain.

Cold weather and snow this week is allowing Sierra-at-Tahoe® Resort to open for the 2013-14 season on Friday, December 6, 2013 with early season conditions and very limited terrain. The ski resort will operate the Easy Rider Express chairlift which will give skiers and snowboarders access to the right half of Broadway trail. This is a green run and will have small to medium rail features, giving guests a chance to get their park legs back underneath them.

With less than 100 days until the beginning of the 2013-2014 Lake Tahoe ski and ride season, now is the time to purchase the best-valued season pass to Tahoe’s three premier mountain destinations, Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar.

The Tahoe Local and Tahoe Value Passes offer access to more than 263 trails, 14 terrain parks and 10,270 acres all on one pass; but the current season pass prices are only guaranteed through September 2, 2013.

At noon on Saturday, Jan. 19, Heavenly Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe will celebrate the return of the halfpipe after a five-year hiatus. With the help of Heavenly’s High Roller Freeride Team, the high-energy ribbon cutting ceremony will feature a DJ, giveaways, EpicMix Photos with the lovely Heavenly Angels, and free swag from Red Bull and Nature Valley.

Heavenly Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe opened Olympic Express and upper Olympic Downhill on Sunday, boosting the open terrain to 610 acres. With a new weather system moving in, the resort expects between six to eight inches of snow up top on Wednesday and will be opening additional terrain as the week progresses.

Powerful early-season storms combined with the area’s largest snowmaking operations have allowed Vail Resorts’ Lake Tahoe mountains – Heavenly Mountain Resort, Northstar California Resort and Kirkwood Mountain Resort – to open early with 111 acres. Heavenly and Northstar will open on Wednesday, Nov. 14 with a combined seven lifts and eight trails, totaling 51 acres.