Curtis Fong, The Guy From Tahoe
Good morning Lake Tahoe skiers and riders! If you are visiting, welcome to Lake Tahoe.
Today is Sunday, December 11.
A GOOD SUNDAY FUNDAY FOR EARLY SEASON TURNS. FRESH SNOW HAS FALLEN IN THE UPPER ELEVATIONS SO GET SOME TURNS, BUT STAY IN BOUNDS AND ON DESIGNATED OPEN TRAILS ONLY…
TODAY’S WEATHER (NWS GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA): Partly Cloudy in the morning then becoming Mostly Cloudy. Highs: 39F to 49F. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon. Ridge Gusts up to 80 mph.
TONIGHT: Mostly Cloudy. Lows: 20F to 30F. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Ridge Gusts up to 80 mph.
MONDAY: Mostly Cloudy. Highs: 41F to 51F. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. Ridge Gusts up to 75 mph.
WHAT TO WEAR: Dress in layers with your Good Jacket or Shell. Take a hat, beanie, and wear a Helmet for Safety. Also wear good Sunglasses or Goggles and warm gloves. Don’t forget to use Sunscreen when the sun is out and Stay Hydrated at altitude!
SURFACE CONDITIONS: Surface Conditions are Variable with Wet Snow over Machine Made, Machine Groomed & Skier-Rider Packed Snow 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 10-12” of new on the upper mountain and a base of 20-23”. 9 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (8:30-4)-WWP including Mountain Access from the Gondola & Stagecoach, accessing Big Easy, Tamarack Express, Dipper & Comet Express. 16 Runs are open (14MG) including Orion’s & Dipper. (MG & SKRPP / 29F / MCldy / Mod Winds). (Hwy 207:) Call Ahead for updates: 1-800-HEAVENLY / www.skiheavenly.com
*SIERRA AT TAHOE: (Hwy 50:) Is open reporting 12” of new on a base depth of 12-26”. 7 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (8:30-4) including Grandview Express to the top, Easy Rider Express, Rock Garden & Nob Hill. West Bowl Closed today. 19 trails are open (11MG), Plus Broadway Park. (MG & SKRPP / 26F / PCldy / Lt Winds). Snow Tubing & Snow Play Areas Closed today. For more info call: 530-659-7475 / www.sierraattahoe.com
HOPE VALLEY OUTDOORS / CROSS COUNTRY: (Hwy 88/89:) 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 18” of new and a base depth of 35”. 7 Lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, with Chairs #1, Chair #5 & Chair #11 & Chair #6 open out of the Village. Plus, TC Express #7 & Chair #9 open with Timer Creek Lodge access. 31 runs are open (20MG). ( Powder, MG & SKRPP / 25F / PCldy / 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 18-32” of new on a base of 40”. 6 lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, including Wizard, Galena, Flying Jenny & Lakeview. [Northwest 6 & Blazing Zephyr on Slide Bowl Side scheduled to turn but are on Delayed opening] for top to bottom skiing & riding. 29 runs are open (25MG). (Powder, MG & SKRPP/ PCldy /159F / Mod-Strong Winds). Call Ahead for updates: 800-SKIROSE / www.mtrose.com
TRUCKEE AREA RESORTS
*NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA: (Hwy 267:) is open reporting 6” of new on a base depth of 18-22”. 12 Lifts are scheduled to operate (8:30-4) with Front Side, Back Side & LookOut Mtn open. 43 Runs are open (21MG) including Backside. Pinball T-Park open. (MG & SKRPP / 27F / MCldy / Mod Winds). XC Center is open with 3 Trails & 3km of groom track as well as the Village Ice Rink. Call Ahead for updates: 530-562-1330 / www.northstarcalifornia.com
TAHOE DONNER SKI AREA: is open. They report a base depth of 24-36”. 3 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 1 run open. (MGPP / PCldy / 32F / Lt Winds) 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 they have 20km of trails for XC Skiing & Snowshoeing & 8km of Single Track – Fat Bikes allowed today. ( PCldy / 32F / Lt Winds). No Dogs allowed today. For more info Call: 530-587-9484 / www.skitahoedonner.com
DONNER SUMMIT RESORTS
*BOREAL MOUNTAIN RESORT: (I-80:) Is open and reports a base depth of 30”. 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 / PCldy / 35F / Lt-Mod 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 open on a base of 20”. 1 Chair, Lion’s Head will operate (10-4) with 1 run open. Plus, Planet Kids… Lil Mamma’s Carpet, Planet Kids & Tube Carousel open as well as Tube Town this weekends. (MG/ MCldy / 25F / Lt Winds) Call Ahead. 530-426-3901 www.skisodasprings.com
*ROYAL GORGE XC: (I-80 to Hwy 40:) Is CLOSED TODAY (8:30-4) and operated by Sugar Bowl Resort. When they reopen, they plan to have 27 Tracks open, offering 53Km of trails. No Grooming due to rain – soft snow (PCldy / 27F / 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 a Base of 12-24”. 3 Lifts & Access Gondola are scheduled to turn (9-4), to offer top to bottom skiing & riding, including Mt. Lincoln, Christmas Tree & Nob Hill. 22 Runs are open (7MG). (MG & SKRPP / PCldy / 33F / 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 this Weekend Due to Rain. They Plan to start full time operation on Dec. 16. For more info: 530-426-3635 / www.donnerskiranch.com
WEST SHORE / NORTHLAKE TAHOE RESORTS
HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 89:) is now Open! They report 3” of new on a base depth of 14-26”. 3 Surface Lifts will operate (9-4) with 4 beginner runs open. (MG /MClear / 30F / Lt Winds). 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 a base of 2”. Their Sledding & Snow Play is Closed today (9-4:30). (PCldy/ 26F / Lt Winds) Call Ahead: 530-581-7533 / www.granlibakken.com
*TAHOE XC CENTER: (Hwy 28:) Is CLOSED TODAY – They will reopen as conditions permit ( on a base of 4-8”. 8 trails are open offering 18km of groomed tracks. 1 Dog Friendly trail is also open. (PCldy / 33F / 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 Closed. The new Ice Rink is open (12-9pm). For more info: 530-583-1516 / www.wintersportspark.com
*ALPINE MEADOWS: (Hwy 89:) Reports a base of 25”. 6 Lifts & Tows scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, with Kangaroo, Roundhouse, Hot Wheels & Big Carpet with [Summit Six on Patrol HOLD till 11am]. 16 Runs are open (7MG). (MG & SKRPP / 33F / MCldy / Mod Winds). Squaw-Alpine Express Shuttle Running between resorts offered. For more info: 530-581-8374 / www.skialpine.com
*SQUAW VALLEY: (Hwy 89:) is open reporting 3” of new on a base of 25”. 12 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, with 9 lifts from the lower mountain including [Aerial Tram & The Funitel on Patrol HOLD till 11am], [Far East, Red Dog & Squaw Creek; Plus 4 tows in the SnoVentures- Squaw Kids Beginners Area open. And, [3 Lifts on the Upper Mountain including Big Blue, Gold Coast & Shirley on Patrol HOLD] (9-3:30). 21 Trails open (11MG). (MG & SKRPP / 33F / MCldy / Mod Winds). For more info: 530-452-4335 / www.squaw.com
CENTRAL SIERRA RESORTS
*MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395:) Is open and reports 7-30” of new on a base ranging from 30-84”. 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. 52 Trails are open (24MG), Plus the Main & Forest Trail Terrain Parks. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 30F / MCldy / Mod Winds). 888-766-9778 / www.mammothmountain.com
JUNE MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395:) Is scheduled to open on December 14 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 open this weekend. They report 4-6” of new on a base depth of 18”. 3 Lifts will operate (9-4), Cub Chair, Carpet & Bear Chair with 6 trails open & small terrain park. (MG PP / MClear / 27F / Lt Winds). 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 8-15”. 10 trails are open = 11km of groomed track. Sledding & Tubing Areas are Closed today(9-4). ( MClear / 29F / 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 431 – Mt Rose Hwy
R2= Chains Mandatory with exception of 4WD with 4 Snow Tires: Hwy 88
All Other Roadways in and around Lake Tahoe are open and Free of Controls. 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