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

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

Today is January 2.

HAPPY NEW YEAR WITH NEW SNOW REPORTED AT RESORTS… WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY AND WINTER STORM WARNING POSTED… SO ALL LIFTS WILL OPERATE WIND & WEATHER PERMITTING… ROAD CONTROLS UP ON ALL HIGHWAYS IN AND AROUND LAKE TAHOE.. BUCKLE UP AND CARRY TIRE CHAINS OR BE PREPARED FOR WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS…

TODAY’S WEATHER (NWS GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA): Snow showers. Snow accumulation of 2 to 6 inches. Highs: 24F to 29F. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. Ridge gusts up to 95 mph.

TONIGHT: Snow showers. Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches… with 2 to 5 inches above 7000 feet. Lows: 11F to 16F. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Ridge gusts up to 85 mph.

TUESDAY: Scattered snow showers in the morning, then snow in the afternoon. Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches…with 2 to 5 inches above 7000 feet. Highs: 25F to 30F. South winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Ridge gusts up to 80 mph.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENTS:

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST TUESDAY…
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TUESDAY TO 4 AM PST THURSDAY…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW, WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TUESDAY T0 4 AM PST THURSDAY.
TIMING: WIDESPREAD SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TODAY INTO TUESDAY MORNING. SNOW WILL BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING: 5 TO 10 INCHES, WITH 10 TO 20 INCHES WEST OF HIGHWAY 89 TO THE SIERRA CREST. 1O TO 15 INCHES IN THE NORTHERN CARSON RANGE NEAR MOUNT ROSE.
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT: 12 TO 18 INCHES AT LAKE LEVEL WITH UP TO 2 TO 3 FEET ABOVE 7000 FEET.
WINDS: WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH MAY RESULT IN AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW WITH REDUCED VISIBILITY AND PERIODS OF WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. WINDS WILL BE OVER 60 MPH FOR EXPOSED RIDGES.
LAKE TAHOE: WIND GUSTS 35 TO 45 MPH TODAY. WAVE HEIGHTS OF 2 TO 4 FEET WITH HIGHEST WAVES FROM MID LAKE TO EASTERN SHORES.
IMPACTS: SNOW WILL CAUSE SLICK SNOW COVERED ROADS WITH CHAIN OR SNOW TIRE RESTRICTIONS EXPECTED. GUSTY WINDS COULD CAUSE AREAS OF LOW VISIBILITY DUE TO BLOWING SNOW WITH NEAR WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
TRAVEL IS DANGEROUS! CARRY TIRE CHAINS, FLASHLIGHT, EXTRA FOOD, WATER AND CLOTHING IN YOUR CAR IN CASE YOU GET STUCK. LET A FRIEND OR RELATIVE KNOW YOUR TRAVEL PLANS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE HEADING INTO THE BACK COUNTRY.

WHAT TO WEAR: Dress in layers with your Gore-Tex Jacket or outer Shell. Take a hat or beanie and wear a Helmet for Safety. Also wear Rose or Orange tinted 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 Fresh Powder over Machine Groomed & Skier-Rider Packed Snow and Some Areas of Firm Packed Snow under top groomed surfaces.

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! Do not Ski or Ride above your ability level… 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 3-5” of new snow on a base of a base of 35-54”. 24 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (8:30-4)-WWP, with 12 lifts in California including the Gondola, Aerial Tram & Gunbarrel Express, Canyon Express with Sky Express open to the top; And, 12 Lifts in Nevada with access from Stagecoach & Boulder Lodge, with Olympic & Dipper. Plus Mott Canyon Turning. (Comet & Galaxy Closed). You can ski back & forth between Cal & NV. 89 Trails are open (39MG). Mott & Killebrew Canyons Open, Plus, Groove (10 features) & Comet (7 features) T-Parks & EpicMix Racing Course open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 15F / Snow Showers / Mod-Strong Winds). Tubing & Alpine Coaster are open at top of Gondola. Complimentary Shuttles running to all open base facilities. (Hwy 207: R1) Call Ahead for updates: 1-800-HEAVENLY / www.skiheavenly.com

*SIERRA AT TAHOE: (Hwy 50: R2) Is open reporting 6-8” of new on a base depth of 20-41”. 9 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) including Grandview Express on the Front Side & West Bowl (Short Stuff on the Backside Closed). 40 trails are open (29MG), Plus 4 Freestyle Terrain Parks open including Broadway, Upper Main & The Alley T-Parks. (Powder, MG & SKR PP / 18F / Snow Showers / Lt Winds). Blizzard Mtn. Open with Snow Tubing & Snow Play Area. 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:) The Yurt will be open today (10-4) 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: R2) is open reporting 2” of new on a base depth of 53-73”. 11 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, 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 Timber Creek Lodge. 86 runs are open (30MG). Outlaw & Bandit T-Parks open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 15F / MCldy/ Lt-Mod 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 1-3” of new on a base depth of 24-40”. 4 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, including Lakeview & Crystal Express to the top, Lodgepole & Schoolhouse. 19 Runs are open (10MG), plus T-Park with 4 features (Powder, MG & SKR PP / 23F / Cldy / Lt Winds). For more info call: 775-831-1177 / www.diamondpeak.com

*MT. ROSE SKI TAHOE: (Hwy 431: R1) Is open and reports 6-12” of new on a base of 56”. 6 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, including Wizard, Galena, Flying Jenny. Plus, Northwest 6 & Blazing Zephyr-WWP. Chuter Lift & the Chutes-WWP. 51 runs are scheduled to open (35+MG). Pondo T-Park open with 5 features and Badlands Park open with 11 features. (PWDR, MG & SKRPP/ Snowing / 10F / Mod-Strong Winds). Call Ahead for updates: 800-SKIROSE / www.mtrose.com

TRUCKEE AREA RESORTS

*NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA: (Hwy 267: R2-R1) is open reporting 7” of new on a base depth of 18-40”. 19 Lifts are scheduled to operate (8:30-4)-WWP, with Front Side, Back Side & Lookout Mtn open. 65 Runs are open (38MG) Plus, 3 areas of Glade Skiing. 4 T-Parks open with 65 features. (PWDR, MG & SKRPP / 17F / Snow Showers / Lt-Mod Winds). XC Center is open (8:30-4) with 8 trails = 10 km of groomed trails. Tubing Center open (10-3). The Village Ice Rink is open (12-9). Call Ahead for updates: 530-562-1330 / www.northstarcalifornia.com

*TAHOE DONNER SKI AREA: is open and reports 5” of new on a base depth of 22-34”. 5 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, with 2 runs open. (MGPP / Snow Showers / 18F / Lt-Mod Winds).

*TAHOE DONNER XC: is open (8:30-5:00) reporting 5” of new on a 8-10” base. 9 Trails XC Skiing & Snowshoeing open… more trails open after grooming. Fat tire biking allowed till 11:00am. No dogs allowed today. (Snow Showers/ 18F / Lt-Mod Winds). For more info Call: 530-587-9484 / www.skitahoedonner.com

DONNER SUMMIT RESORTS

*BOREAL MOUNTAIN RESORT: (I-80: R2) Is open and reports 3-6” of new on a base depth of 45”. 6 Lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, with 49er Chair, Nugget Chair, Cedar Ridge, Flying Dutchman to the backside & Castle Peak & Accelerator to the top open till 9:00pm. They have 33 runs open (7MG) & 4 T-Parks open. (PWDR, MG & SKRPP / Snow Showers / 19F / Lt-Mod Winds). 2 Lifts will operate till 9:00pm. 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:R2 to Hwy 40: R2) Is open on a base of 30”. 4 Lifts & Tows, Lion’s Head & Crystal Bowl will operate (10-4) with 13 Trails open (3MG). Plus, Planet Kids, Tube Carousel & Tube Town. (MG & SKRPP/ MClear / 27F / Lt Winds). Mini Snowmobiles & Sleigh Rides also offered. Call Ahead. 530-426-3901 www.skisodasprings.com

*ROYAL GORGE XC: (I-80: R2to Hwy 40: R2) Is open (8:30-4). They report 2” of new on a base of 6-12”. 13 Tracks are open = 21Km of groomed trails. (Snow Showers / 18F / Lt-Mod 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: R2 to Hwy 40: R2 – Hwy 40 from Truckee Closed) Is open and reports 2-8” of new a base of 18-38”. 5 Lifts & Tows, plus Access Gondola are scheduled to turn (9-4)-WWP, including Mt. Lincoln to the top, Disney, Christmas Tree, Nob Hill & Jerome Hill. 70 Runs are open (34MG). ( PWDR, MG & SKRPP / Snow Showers / 22F / 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: R2 from I-80 / Closed from Truckee) is open for the Holidays. They report 2-4” of new on a base of 18-32”. 6 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP. 35 Runs are open (20MG). (PWDR, MG & SKR FP / Snow Showers / 22F / Lt-Mod 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: R1 / R2 Emerald Bay) is open with access from the North Lodge. They report 4-10” of new on a base depth of 16-43”. 7 Lifts & tows will operate (9-4)-WWP, with the Madden Chair, Ellis Chair, Quail Chair & Old Homewood Express turning. 23 runs open (14MG). (PWDR, MG SKRPP/ Snow Showers / 29F / Lt-Mod Winds). For more info: Guest services: 530-525-2992. Snow Phone: 530-525-2900 / www.skihomewood.com

*GRANLIBAKKEN RESORT: (Hwy 89: R1) Ski & Snowboard Hill is open (9-4:30) with 2 Tows and limited terrain on base of 2”. Their XC Trails, Sledding & Snow Play are open Daily. (9-4:30). (Snow Showers/ 20F / Lt Winds) Call Ahead: 530-581-7533 / www.granlibakken.com

*TAHOE XC CENTER: (Hwy 28: R1) IS CLOSED TODAY… (They report 2-4” of new on a base of 4-8”. They have 7 trails open offering 20Km of groomed tracks. Dogs trails Closed). (Snow Showers / 19F / Lt-Mod Winds).

*TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK: (Hwy 28: Tahoe City – R1) Will continue to be operated by Tahoe XC with TCPUD. XC Trails, Snow Play are open as conditions permit. 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: R1) Reports 8” of new on a base of 48”. 11 Lifts & Tows scheduled to operate (9-4) with Hot Wheels, Roundhouse, Scott, Alpine Bowl & Summit Six turning. 57 Runs are open (20MG). (PWDR, MG & SKRPP / 15F /Snow showers / 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 8” of new on a base of 54”. 24 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP with 12 lifts from the lower mountain including (Aerial Tram on WIND HOLD) & The Funitel, Far East, Red Dog & Squaw Creek; Plus 5 tows in the SnoVentures- Squaw Kids Beginners Area open. 12 Lifts scheduled for the Upper Mountain-WWP, including Shirley Lake & Gold Coast Turning (Bailey’s, Belmont, Big Blue, Emigrant, Siberia, Granite Chief, Headwall, Mtn Meadow & Solitude on WIND HOLD). 31 Trails open (18MG). Belmont & Gold Coast T-Parks open. (PWDR, MG & SKRPP / 13F / Snow Showers / Mod-Strong Winds). For more info: 530-452-4335 / www.squaw.com

CENTRAL SIERRA RESORTS

*MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395:) Is 100% open and reports a base ranging from 66-150”. 24 Lifts & Tows scheduled to operation (8:30-4)-WWP, 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 (93MG), Plus 5 Terrain Parks open. (MG & SKRPP / 12F / Cldy-Lt Snow / Mod-Strong Winds). 888-766-9778 / www.mammothmountain.com

*JUNE MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395:) Is open reporting a base of 8-36”. 7 Lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4). 28 trails open. (MG & SKRPP/ 22F / Cldy / 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: R1) is Open. They report 1” of new on a base of 5-27”. 8 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4). 46 Trails are open (20MG) (PWDR, MG & SKRPP / Cldy / 25F / Lt Winds). For more info call: 209-536-5300 / www.dodgeridge.com

*BEAR VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 4:R2) – (Ebbetts Pass Closed) Is open daily reporting 2” of new on a base depth of 28”. 7 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4)-WWP, with 35 Trails open (22MG) + 2 T-Parks open. (PWDR, MG & SKR PP / Snow Showers / 24F / Lt-Mod Winds). For more info: 209-753-2301 #2 / www.bearvalley.com

*BEAR VALLEY XC CENTER: (Hwy 4:R2) Is Open and reports 2” of new on a base depth of 15-20”. 23 trails are open = 32km of groomed track & Skating lanes. Sledding & Tubing Areas are open today (9-4). (Snow Showers / 16F / 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:
All Roadways in and around Lake Tahoe open with R1 or R2 Requirements -Carry Tire Chains. Call Ahead for updates. Or log on to www.nvroads.com
R1= Chains or Snow Tires Required:
Hwy 89 West Shore; Hwy 89 TC to Truckee; Hwy 28 TC – INCLINE – East Shore; Hwy 431 Mt. Rose; Hwy 50 – Stateline – Spooner Summit to Carson City; Hwy 207 Kingsbury Grade.
R2= Chains Mandatory with exception of 4WD with 4 Snow Tires:
I-80 – Donner Summit; Hwy 50 Echo Summit; Hwy 88/89 Luther Pass; Hwy 88 Carson Pass; Hwy 89 Emerald Bay Rd; Hwy 267 Brockway Summit
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 Lake Tahoe, visit www.bikeandskitahoe.com.