Tahoe Ski World

skiing in Lake Tahoe

Great early-season conditions at Sugar Bowl

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Even before one exits the interstate and takes the brief drive to Sugar Bowl ski resort, what one notices is the amount of snow. It’s sizable!

Picturesque Sugar Bowl has received 65 inches of snow this season. It currently has nine lifts open with access to 101 runs.

Thanks to a week of on-and-off snowfall the week before Thanksgiving, the Lake Tahoe region is white with snow. While more is needed, it’s an impressive amount for this time of year and was quite the Thanksgiving gift for Tahoe ski resorts. Ten ski resorts were open Thanksgiving weekend, an important profitable period for all the local resorts.

Located off Interstate 80 at the Norden exit on Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl is rich in history, known for high snow totals, and the closest Tahoe ski resort to Sacramento. One of the oldest resorts in California, Sugar Bowl opened in 1939 and is home to the state’s first chairlift.

CHECK OUT TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENINGS BELOW

A midweek visit to Sugar Bowl this week was a bit surprising, given the amount of snow coverage and the overall quality of the runs. The scenic mountain has received 65 inches and is covered in snow.

There are currently nine lifts open with access to 101 runs. Not bad for early December.

“Yesterday (Wednesday, Dec. 4) was a great groomer day. The snow was still chalky and carvable,” a Sugar Bowl blog stated Thursday. “Earlier in the week, from the top of Lincoln, you could see the crew prepping to open Mt. Judah. Get out there and enjoy these amazing conditions.”

Diamond Peak, a family-friendly resort that features gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe, opens Thursday (Dec. 5).

DIAMOND PEAK OPENING: Located of Highway 431 in Incline Village, Diamond Peak begins operating its lifts Thursday (Dec. 5), becoming the 11th Tahoe ski resort to open for the 2024-25 season.

The remaining Tahoe resort not open is Tahoe Donner, where its website says it will begin running lifts Dec. 13.

Diamond Peak features terrific lakeside views and typically small crowds. Although considered one of Lake Tahoe’s smaller resorts, community-owned Diamond Peak has the fourth most skiable vertical (1,840 feet on 655 acres) in the Tahoe Basin.

Chairlifts and runs planned for opening day include the Crystal Express, Lodgepole and School House chairlifts and Crystal Ridge, Sunnyside, Lodgepole and School Yard ski runs. Additional lifts and terrain may be open, conditions permitting. Full details can be found on the Mountain Report page of the Diamond Peak website.

Kirkwood is one of 11 Tahoe ski resorts that is open for the 2024-25 season.

“With a solid base on the terrain we’ll have open for opening day, we’re stoked to open early and give all of our passholders and community members another week of fun on the slopes,” Diamond Peak spokesperson Paul Raymore said.

TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENINGS

  • Heavenly: Open
  • Palisades Tahoe: Open
  • Mt. Rose: Open
  • Northstar Open
  • Sugar Bowl: Open
  • Boreal: Friday: Open
  • Granlibakken: Open
  • Sierra-at-Tahoe: Open
  • Soda Springs: Open
  • Kirkwood: Open
  • Diamond Peak: Opening Dec. 5
  • Tahoe Donner: Opening Dec. 13
  • Homewood: Closed for the season