Chest-high snow has become a thing at Tahoe ski resorts. That’s indicative of how much snow the venerable ski region has received during the past week.
According to OpenSnow Forecaster Bryan Allegretto. snow accumulation over the past week has been between 6½ to 11 feet.
What the huge snow totals meant to pent-up skiers and snowboarders Tuesday was an extreme powder day at Tahoe ski resorts. Most ski resorts in the region reopened at some point after the majority of them were closed Sunday and Monday.
A post on the Sugar Bowl website could be the motto for all Tahoe ski resorts today.
“Those who arrive (Tuesday) with a little patience in their pocket will be treated to some of the lightest, fluffiest snowfall we ever see in the Sierra,” the website post stated. “Enjoy the deep powder, but please be very mindful of tree wells and educate yourself on deep snow safety.”
A tragic safety reminder is Truckee skier Rory Angelotta, who has been missing since Christmas Day at Northstar California ski resort. He still had not been located as of Tuesday morning. See more details here.
SNOW DAZE: Judging by recent standards for daily snowfall, Tahoe ski resorts experienced only modest snow totals over the past 24 hours, getting between 3 to 17 inches by Tuesday morning (Dec. 28).
SEE LATEST TAHOE SNOW REPORT BELOW
According to Allegretto. the Tahoe region has already picked up 67 percent of its annual snowfall average with approximately 4½ months left in the ski season.
Located on Lake Tahoe’s west shore, Homewood Mountain received an additional 17 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours, the most of any Tahoe ski resort. That brings the resort’s storm total to more than 10 feet.
Palisades Tahoe established a new record for December snowfall, enjoying its largest monthly snow total in 50 years. As of Tuesday, the resort had 188 inches – the previous 1970 record was 179 inches.
Heavenly received a foot of new snow and appeared to offer the most terrain Tuesday with 20 lifts accessing 91 trails. Its main parking lot was full by 9 am.
Northstar was reporting 15 inches of new snow Tuesday morning, increasing its season total to 267 inches. By 1 pm, the resort had eight lifts and 67 trails open.
NEW DECEMBER SNOW RECORD: With three days left in the month, Lake Tahoe’s December snowfall record has already been shattered.
The new total is 202 inches, according to the Central Sierra Snow Lab, which does its regular measurements at its Soda Springs location on Donner Summit.
Broken on Monday, the previous record was 179 inches, set in 1970.
“With all the snow we’ve gotten already, this should set us up for the rest of the season,” Diamond Peak spokesperson Paul Raymore said earlier this week.
ROAD UPDATES: Roughly a 50-mile stretch of Highway 50 between Placerville and Meyers opened Monday night, However, a jackknifed semi-truck blocked all lanes for several hours. After clearing the scene, Highway 50 reopened around noon time.
A more well-traveled artery into the Tahoe region – Interstate 80 – remained closed Tuesday between Colfax and the Nevada state line. Caltrans officials say there is still no estimated time of I-80 reopening.
Heavy snowfall and wind that created whiteout conditions contributed to the closure of I-80 over the Christmas holidays. And thwarting its opening now includes clearing trees, downed power lines, various debris on the roadways, and plowing off mounds of snow.
Highway 88 in Alpine County reopened at noon on Tuesday after being closed at Carson Pass for avalanche control. It serves as the artery to Kirkwood Mountain ski resort.
State Route 431 in Nevada was open in both directions Tuesday for the first time since Christmas Day, allowing skiers and riders to travel to Mt. Rose ski resort, which had been closed the past few days.
WEATHER FORECAST: Allegretto is predicting that a weaker system with light snow is possible Tuesday into Wednesday, then a drier pattern will take over through Jan. 2.
Allegretto says a cold and weak system will bring snow showers Tuesday into Wednesday. That’s followed by a drier pattern through January 2 with perhaps a dusting of snow on New Year’s Eve.
Another strong storm is possible between Jan. 3-6.
TAHOE SNOW REPORT (new snow, season total, Dec. 28)
- Boreal: 8-278 inches
- Mt. Rose: 9-275 inches
- Northstar: 15-267 inches
- Homewood: 17-255 inches
- Palisades: 9-252 inches
- Sugar Bowl: 10-250 inches
- Diamond Peak: 3-204 inches
- Kirkwood: 13-200 inches
- Tahoe Donner: 8-192 inches
- Heavenly: 12-179 inches
- Soda Springs: NA
- Granlibakken: NA
