Several Tahoe ski resorts to open this weekend
A handful of Lake Tahoe ski resorts prepare to open for the season this weekend thanks to an early snowfall, snowmaking guns and a fairly large storm set to punch the Sierra.
Around a foot or more of natural snow across the Sierra earlier this month certainly helped get things moving. With this weekend's anticipated storm, which may bring anywhere from 2-4 feet of snow to the Sierra, resorts should get a nice healthy boost just in time for the holiday season.
Here's what we know:
Heavenly Mountain Resort fired up its snowmaking guns in late October after temperatures dropped well below freezing at night. The resort began making snow at the top of the Gondola, followed by a nice gift of a foot of natural snow. Snowmaking continues on trails around Tamarack Express followed by runs on Dipper and Comet Express Lifts.
Heavenly aims to open on Friday, Nov. 19 with the Heavenly Gondola and Tamarack Express running. Dipper and Comet lifts may get added. Click on the Website to get the very latest.
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe will open this Friday, Nov. 19, with the Ponderosa lift and Flying Jenny in operation. The resort reports that the coming storm prompted the opening. The hope is after the storm more terrain will open.
All services will be out of the Mt. Rose Main Lodge including the Lodgepole Café, Timbers bar, the Rental Shop, 431 Sports and Ski School.
Squaw Valley USA plans to open Saturday, Nov. 20. Snowmaking helps in usually switching on Red Dog and Exhibition Lifts for opening day. Those on the slopes the first day can anticipate a laid-back celebration on the KT-22 sundeck with music and a no-host bar.
The resort is doing a fast ramp-up for its Thanksjibbin' Rail Jam, Nov. 25. Competitors can win turkeys, smoked hams, pumpkin pies, and cash prizes for best tricks, style, and best outfits.
Northstar-at-Tahoe also is scheduled to open Saturday, Nov. 20. The resort typically opens the Arrow Express lift first with Upper and Lower Main Street plus Lumberjack runs boosted by snowmaking. Crews are also aiming to get the Big Easy learning area and Big Easy Lift open for beginners.
Boreal Mountain Resort, which opened the last weekend in October with two runs, suspended operation Nov. 5, pending cooler temperatures and forecasted snow. It reopened Nov. 9 after a storm brought 8 inches of snow and colder temperatures for snowmaking to resume. The resort hopes to add more terrain as soon as possible.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area began snowmaking on Broadway in late October in preparation for its opening day, but got a huge boost with a foot of snow at Main Lodge and up to 2 feet of snow on the mid- and upper-mountain three days before opening. Mammoth cranked up a handful of lifts on Nov. 11.
Mammoth has four lifts it set to open or have opened: Broadway, Face Lift, Thunder Bound Express, and Discovery Chair. Daily operations will continue with crews bumping open more lifts as conditions permit. The next lifts to open most likely will include Stump Alley, Gold Rush, Roller Coaster, and Canyon. Reports of decent snow accumulating in Cornice Bowl may allow Panorama Gondola to open soon.
Sierra-at-Tahoe plans for an opening day of Nov. 27; while Kirkwood Mountain Resort plans to make an announcement soon. Diamond Peak will open Dec. 16.
As always, check each resort Web site to get the very latest.
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