Ski season has returned to the Reno Tahoe area in the Sierras!

The temperatures are dropping and snow is even starting to fall on the valley floor. The majority of ski resorts in the area are now open, with the exception of a select few. While the region saw a slight decrease in snow levels last season from prior years, an early snow start this year looks promising. While Mike Pierce, director of marketing at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, says they have learned there is such a thing as “too much snow” from a business standpoint, they’re continuing to hope for as much snow as possible.

Expected Opening Dates

Boreal Mountain: Nov. 9 – Right at Donner Summit, Boreal will be opening a new beginner chairlift, the California Cruiser, this season. This new lift hopes to help beginner skiers and riders progress from bunny slopes to terrain parks.

Diamond Peak: Dec. 13 – Located in Incline Village, Diamond Peak will be opening a new terrain park area in the new lower-mountain zone called “The Village at Diamond Peak.

Heavenly Mountain: Nov. 16 – Off of the slopes, Heavenly will now be offering Winter UTV Tours to experience their iconic Lake Tahoe view. The resort has also upgraded their Galaxy Chair to a triple lift.

Homewood Mountain: Dec. 14 – The resort has upgraded their snowcat over the off season for an improved Snowcat Adventures experience.

Kirkwood Mountain: Nov. 21 – Kirkwood Village is celebrating the grand opening of their new restaurant, The Cornice Pizza. This ’80s-inspired restaurant also hosts karaoke for entertainment off the slopes.

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: Oct. 19 for pass holders, Oct 26. for public – Mt. Rose invested $2 million over the off season towards 17 new snowmaking towers and snow grooming fleet upgrades, among others.

Northstar California: Nov. 16 – A new tubing experience has been opened at the Overlook above the Village, which will be open daily (weather permitting).

Sierra-At-Tahoe: Dec. 1 – Chairlifts, snowmaking equipment and trail signs have all received  upgrades over the Summer. Two new snowcats have also been added to their fleet for trail and terrain park grooming.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows: Nov 16. – The resort has expanded their snowmaking system at Alpine Meadows, as well as $1.4 million worth of renovations to the Alpine Meadows Base Lodge.

Sugar Bowl Resort: Nov. 30 – Sugar Bowl is introducing new beginner ski and snowboard school programs for first-timers, ages 13 and up. Their snowmaking system has also begun its $8 million upgrade project, lowering the time it takes to cover the terrain by two-thirds.

Tahoe Donner Downhill: Dec. 7 – The Snowbird triple chairlift will be replacing the resort’s original double chair this season.

*All expected dates are subject to change at the resort’s digression and weather conditions. Check with the resorts for official opening dates and changes. 

 

‘Plates for Powder’

This year also returns The Tahoe Fund’s ‘Plates for Powder’ program, for both California and Nevada. By purchasing a new CA or NV Tahoe plate between November 1, 2018 and April 1, 2019, you can receive a free lift ticket to one of the 11 resorts participating. Check out The Tahoe Fund’s website for more information.

 

Written by: Brooke Deneen