Due to conditions, Heavenly and Northstar push out opening dates

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Heavenly Mountain Resort and Northstar California Resort announced Tuesday they have changed their opening days due to unusually warm November weather that limited their snowmaking production.

They were both planning on opening this Friday, Nov. 22. At this time, Heavenly will target Wednesday, Nov. 27 and Northstar will target Friday, Nov. 29 to open for skiing and snowboarding. Kirkwood will announce an opening date in the coming days.

“Heavenly and Northstar operate the two largest snowmaking systems on the West Coast,” said Pete Sonntag, senior vice president of Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood. “As temperatures drop in the coming days, both resorts expect to be in full snowmaking production. We look forward to welcoming guests soon, with the best conditions in the region.”

Both resorts announced their activities that can be enjoyed before the slopes open.

Beginning Saturday, Nov. 23, Heavenly will offer daily sightseeing access via the Heavenly Gondola and also open the Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster, an on-mountain, gravity-powered alpine coaster with great views of Lake Tahoe. On-mountain dining outlets Café Blue and Tamarack Lodge will be open as well. When they do open the slopes, Heavenly will celebrate opening day with complimentary donuts, hot chocolate, and coffee in the morning at the Heavenly Village Gondola from 8-10 a.m. Music will welcome guests at the base of the Heavenly Village Gondola and Tamarack Lodge from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Village at Northstar will open on Friday, Nov. 22, offering family-friendly activities, dining and shopping options. Complimentary ice-skating for Epic Pass holders will be available at the Village Rink, and all shops and restaurants in the village will be open, with Michael Mina’s new Bourbon Pub Northstar celebrating its grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 23. Northstar’s Opening Day will begin with the Big Springs Gondola opening celebration at 8 a.m. Music from 2-5 p.m. at the Rink Stage kicks-off an afternoon of family-friendly fun in the Village at Northstar. At 4 p.m., guests can enjoy complimentary s’mores and hot chocolate around the Village Ice Rink, followed by music and face painting from 5-8 p.m.