There’s not a lot of ski resort regions in the U.S. where the weather is quite like Lake Tahoe right now.
Skiers and snowboarders are enjoying beautiful, sun-drenched conditions one day after Christmas. The temperatures are expected to climb into the low 50s on Tuesday, after being in the low 20s during the chilly evening and early morning hours.
Although there is no snow on the horizon this Christmas holiday week, the weather will continue to be ideal for a comfortable day of skiing and riding. Both Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be sunny with temperatures in the 50-55-degree range. Evening temperatures should remain in the 20s all week, which is conducive for snowmaking at night.
There is a chance of snow Monday, Jan. 1. Even though December has been a poor month for snow, the agreeable temperatures have been advantageous for making snow, resulting in all 14 Lake Tahoe ski resorts being open right now.
Although some Tahoe ski resorts have minimal terrain available for holiday skiing and riding, some of the larger resorts like Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Northstar California, Mt. Rose and Heavenly Mountain have a sizable amount of lifts and trails available to keep people happy over the busy holiday period.
Below is a look at what’s available at the region’s 14 ski resorts.
Alpine Meadows
- 8 of 13 lifts operating with access to 27 runs (10 groomed)
- 18-29-inch base, 28-62-inch season snowfall on top
- Estimated adult lift ticket at window $159 (fluid pricing, fixed price not available)
- Located off Highway 89
- Contact: 800 403-0206, www.squawalpine.com
Boreal Mountain
- 3 of 6 lifts operating
- 5 of 33 runs open
- 20-36-inch season snowfall
- Adult lift ticket, $74
- Located off I-80 near Donner Pass
- Contact: 530 426-3666, www.rideboreal.com
Lake Tahoe is the place to be for the Christmas holidays if you enjoy sun-drenched days and comfortable temperatures.
Diamond Peak
- 6 of 7 lifts operating
- 8 of 31 runs open
- 36-48-inch base, 36-inch season snowfall
- Adult lift ticket, $89
- Located near Incline Village
- Contact: 775 832-1177
- www.diamondpeak.com
Donner Ski Ranch
- 2 of 8 lifts operating
- 20-inch base
- Adult lift ticket $75
- Located off U.S. 40 near Donner Pass
- Contact: 530 426-3635, www.donnerskiranch.com
Granlibakken
- 0 of 2 lifts operating
- Bunny Hill open, sled hill open
- No snow totals available
- Adult lift ticket and sledding $35
- Located on west shore of Lake Tahoe, near Tahoe City
- Contact: 877 552-6301, www.granlibakken.com
Heavenly Mountain
- 17 of 28 lifts operating
- 20 of 97 runs open
- 20-inch base, 34-inch season snowfall
- Estimated adult lift ticket at window $125 (fluid pricing, fixed price not available)
- Located at South Lake Tahoe
- Contact: 775 586-7000, www.skiheavenly.com
Homewood Mountain
- 3 of 8 lifts operating
- 3 of 67 runs open; 10-inch base on top, 4-29-inch season snowfall
- Adult lift ticket at window $70 (fluid pricing, fixed price not available)
- Located on Highway 89 on west shore of Lake Tahoe
- Contact: 530 525-2900, www.skihomewood.com
Kirkwood Mountain
- 12 of 15 lifts operating
- 75 of 86 runs open
- 25-inch base depth, 37-inch season snowfall
- Adult lift ticket at window $95 (fluid pricing, fixed price not available)
- Located off Highway 88 near Carson Pass
- Contact: 800 967-7500, www.kirkwood.com
Mount Rose
- 8 of 8 lifts operating
- 47 of 60 runs open
- 18-36-inch average base, 53-68-inch season snowfall
- Adult lift ticket at window $125
- Located southwest of Reno, near Incline Village
- Contact: 775 849-0704, www.skirose.com
Northstar California
- 17 of 20 lifts operating
- 46 of 100 runs open
- 18-27-inch base, no season snowfall total available
- Estimated adult lift ticket at window, $138 this week (fluid pricing, fixed price not available)
- Located off Highway 267
- Contact: 530 562-1330, www.northstarcalifornia.com
Sierra at Tahoe
- 7 of 14 lifts operating
Like many Lake Tahoe ski resorts, Sierra-at-Tahoe is busy over the Christmas holidays. - 18 of 46 runs open, 14 runs groomed
- 12-37-inch season snowfall
- Adult lift ticket, $104;
- Located off U.S. 50 near Echo Summit
- Contact: 530 659-7453, www.sierraattahoe.com
Soda Springs
- 1 of 4 lifts operating
- 4 of 13 runs open
- 20-inch base, 27-inch season snowfall
- Adult lift ticket $50
- Located near Donner Summit
- Contact: 530 426-3901, www.skisodasprings.com
Squaw Valley
- 19 of 29 lifts operating
- 32 runs (23 groomed)
- 8-28-inch base, 8-64-inch season snowfall (on top)
- Estimated adult lift ticket at window, $159 (fluid pricing, fixed price not available)
- Located off Highway 89
- Contact: 800 403-0206, www.squawalpine.com
Sugar Bowl
- 4 of 13 lifts operating
- 15 of 103 runs
- 10-29-inch base, 28-60-inch season snowfall
- Adult lift ticket $115
- Located off historic U.S. 40 near Donner Pass
- Contact: 530 426-1111, www.sugarbowl.com
Tahoe-Donner
- 2 of 5 lifts operating
- 1 of 14 runs open
- 3-inch base; 9-inch season snowfall
- Adult lift ticket $64
- Located just north of Donner Lake off I-80
- Contact: 530) 587-9444, www.skitahoedonner.com
