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

Good morning and happy holidays Lake Tahoe skiers and riders! If you are visiting, welcome to the lake!

Today is Wednesday, December 21, 2016.

WELCOME TO WINTER… SHAPING UP TO BE A GREAT HUMP DAY FOR HOLIDAY SKIING & RIDING… SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS THIS MORNING WITH A TRACE TO 1” OF NEW ALREADY REPORTED. ROAD CONTROLS ALSO POSTED AND CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY…

TODAY’S WEATHER (NWS GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA): Expect Mostly cloudy with scattered showers in the morning, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Snow level rising to 6500 feet. Highs: 37F to 47F. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
TONIGHT: Clear. Lows: 15F to 25F. East winds around 10 mph in the evening becoming light.
THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs: 40F to 45F. Light winds.

WINTER STORM WATCH:

WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON…

TIMING: SNOW IS FORECAST TO MOVE INTO THE TAHOE BASIN FRIDAY MORNING WITH A PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW LIKELY FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MIDDAY SATURDAY.

SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 2 FEET POSSIBLE ABOVE 7000 FEET, WITH UP TO A FOOT POSSIBLE AT LAKE LEVEL.

WINDS: SOUTHWEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 50 MPH. SIERRA RIDGE GUSTS UP TO 110 MPH.

SNOW LEVELS: BELOW 6000 FEET.

IMPACTS: VERY POOR VISIBILITY WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS LIKELY. DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR BACK COUNTRY ACTIVITIES AND TRAVEL ON HIGHWAYS 50, 88, 89, 207, 267, THE MT ROSE HIGHWAY AND INTERSTATE 80.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:
NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR YOUR HOME AND CAR. IF TRAVELING CONSIDER SHIFTING YOUR PLANS TO BEFORE THE STORM ARRIVES ON THURSDAY OR WAITING UNTIL THE STORM PASSES.
REMEMBER TO CARRY TIRE CHAINS, EXTRA FOOD, WATER AND CLOTHING. ONCE THE STORM ARRIVES, TRAVEL MAY BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
WHAT TO WEAR: Dress in layers with your GOOD Jacket or outer 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 & Chapstick when the sun is out and Stay Hydrated at altitude!

SURFACE CONDITIONS: Surface Conditions are Variable with a mixture of 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 a trace of new on a base of a base of 29-46”. 18 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 9 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. 58 Runs are open (25MG). Plus, Comet T-Park open. (MG & SKRPP / 26F / Cloudy-Lt SNow / Lt Winds). 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:) Is open reporting a base depth of 14-37”. 10 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) including Grandview Express & West Bowl. 37 trails are open (29MG), Plus Broadway, Upper Main & The Alley T-Parks. (MG & SKR PP / 31F / PCldy / 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:) 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 at Red Lake & Carson Pass areas. For more info call: 530-721-2015 / www.hopevalleyoutdoors.com

*KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 88:) is open reporting a base depth of 28-38”. Full Operations today with 13 Lifts 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 Chiars #7 & Chair #9 open at Timer Creek Lodge. 86 runs are open (30+MG). Bandit T-Park open. (MG & SKRPP / 26F / Cldy / Lt-Mod Winds). Kirkwood XC Center is also open with 30km 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:) Is open, reporting a trace of new on base depth of 24-40”. 4 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4) including Lakeview & Crystal Express to the top, Lodgepole & Schoolhouse. 8 Runs are open (8MG) (MG & SKR PP / 34F / Cldy-Lt Snow / 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 on a base of 48”. 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. 50 runs are open (30+MG). Pondo T-Park open with 5 features. (MG & SKRPP/ Cldy-Lt Snow / 22F / Lt Winds). Call Ahead for updates: 800-SKIROSE / www.mtrose.com

TRUCKEE AREA RESORTS

*NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA: (Hwy 267:) is open reporting a base depth of 18-37”. 18 Lifts are scheduled to operate (8:30-4) with Front Side, Back Side & Lookout Mtn open. 50 Runs are open (27MG). Pinball T-Park open with 46 features. (MG & SKRPP / 23F / Cldy-Lt Snow / Lt Winds). XC Center is open (9-4) with 3 trails = 3 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 12-24”. 4 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 1 run open. (MGPP / Cldy-Lt Snow / 30F / Lt Winds).

TAHOE DONNER XC: is open (10:30-4:30) offering 15 trails for hiking, snowshoeing and fat tire biking. (Cldy-Lt Snow / 30F / 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”. 4 Lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 49er Chair, Nugget Chair & Castle Peak & Accelerator to the top open till 9:00pm. They have 20 runs open (7MG) & 4 T-Parks open. (MG & SKRPP / Cldy / 26F / Lt 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 to Hwy 40:) Is open. They have 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 will operate. (MG/ Cldy / 23F / Lt Winds). Call Ahead. 530-426-3901 www.skisodasprings.com

*ROYAL GORGE XC: (I-80 to Hwy 40:) Is open (8:30-4). They have 7 Groomed Tracks open with 11Km of trails (Cldy-Lt Snow / 30F / 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 10-22”. 4 Lifts & Access Gondola are scheduled to turn (9-4) including Mt. Lincoln to the top, Disney, Christmas Tree & Nob Hill. 28 Runs are open (21MG). (MG & SKRPP / MCldy / 26F / 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 CLOSED this week. No update this morning. For more info: 530-426-3635 / www.donnerskiranch.com

WEST SHORE / NORTHLAKE TAHOE RESORTS

*HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 89:) is open with limited terrain… They report 1” of new on a base depth of 15-28”. 4 Lifts & tows will operate (9-4) with the Madden Chair & Old Homewood Express turning. 8 runs open (4MG) Escape T-Park open. (MG PP/ MCldy / 31F / 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 is scheduled to open Dec 23 conditions permitting. Call Ahead. Their XC Trails, Sledding & Snow Play is open Daily. (9-4:30). (Cldy-Lt Snow / 33F / Lt Winds) Call Ahead: 530-581-7533 / www.granlibakken.com

TAHOE XC CENTER: (Hwy 28:) Is CLOSED – They will reopen as conditions permit. (Cldy / 32F / 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, Sunday-Thursdays (12-9pm) Friday-Saturday (10am-10pm). For more info: 530-583-1516 / www.wintersportspark.com

*ALPINE MEADOWS: (Hwy 89:) Reports a base of 33”. 7 Lifts & Tows scheduled to operate (9-4) with Hot Wheels, Roundhouse, Alpine Bowl & Summit Six. 46 Runs are open (10MG). (MG & SKRPP / 28F / MCldy/ Lt 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 a base of 36”. 22 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 11 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, Gold Coast, Granite Chief & Shirley Lake. 45 Trails open (27MG). Gold Coast T-Park open. (MG & SKRPP / 27F / MCldy / Lt Winds). For more info: 530-452-4335 / www.squaw.com

CENTRAL SIERRA RESORTS

*MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395:) Is fully open and reports a base ranging from 54-132”. 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 (85MG), Plus 4 Terrain Parks open. (MG & SKRPP / 23F / MClear / Lt Winds). 888-766-9778 / www.mammothmountain.com

*JUNE MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395:) Is open on a base of 6-12”. 4 Lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4). 12 trails open. (MG & SKRPP/ 24F / 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 when conditions permit. They received 2” 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 Closed) Is open daily reporting a base depth of 18”. 5 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 20 Trails open (20MG) + T-Park. (MG & SKR PP / MClear / 31F / Lt Winds). For more info: 209-753-2301 #2 / www.bearvalley.com

*BEAR VALLEY XC CENTER: (Hwy 4) Is Open and reports a base depth of 6-12”. 14 trails are open = 14km of groomed track & Skating lanes. Sledding & Tubing Areas are open today (9-4). (MClear / 23F / 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 / Hwy 207 / Hwy 50 Spooner Summit / Hwy 28 East Shore
R2= Chains Mandatory with exception of 4WD with 4 Snow Tires:
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

For more on biking and skiing Lake Tahoe, visit: www.bikeandskitahoe.com/