A duet of winter storms Thanksgiving week brought snow to the Tahoe Sierra with new snowfalls ranging from 8 to 25 inches at ski resorts, with a series of storms set to provide multiple rounds of rain and snow to the Sierra starting on Tuesday.
The largest accumulations were reported at Kirkwood and Squaw Valley, with both receiving 25 inches of new snow at the higher elevations. Most Tahoe Sierra ski resorts are now open for the 2018-19 season, including cross-country skiing at Auburn Ski Club and Royal Gorge. Snowshoeing and fat tire biking are open at Tahoe Donner Cross Country.
New snow Tuesday
Two rounds of storms move into the Sierra next week, with the first storm coming in late Tuesday, while the second storm drops in Thursday. With one storm on the heels of the other, precipitation in the Sierra may be relatively continuous between the two storms, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow levels will start around 8,000 feet Tuesday before dropping down to around 6,000 feet Tuesday night as the cold front associated with this storm drops southward into the Sierra. There will likely be little to no break with snow showers in the Sierra between the two storms, so there may be a prolonged period of winter driving conditions with chain restrictions. The second storm will be colder with snow possible down to 4,500 feet on Thursday.
Snowfall as of Nov. 24, 2018
(Reported over last 7 days; resorts open unless noted)
Alpine Meadows | 21” new snow | 18” base
Auburn Ski Club | Open
Boreal | 18” new snow | 20” base
Diamond Peak | Opens Dec. 13
Donner Ski Ranch | Snow tubing opening | Opening TBA
Granlibakken | Opens Dec. 14
Heavenly | 23” new snow | 35” base
Homewood | Opening TBA
Kirkwood | 25” new snow | 30” base
Northstar | 15” new snow | 18” base
Mt. Rose | 8”-13” new snow | 14”-20” base
Royal Gorge | 8” new snow
Sierra-at-Tahoe | Opening TBA
Soda Springs | 16” new snow | 20” base
Squaw Valley | 12”-25” new snow | 18”-23” base
Sugar Bowl | Opens Nov. 30
Tahoe City Winter Sports Park | Ice rink open (sledding opens Dec. 23)
Tahoe Donner Cross Country | 5” new snow | 8” base (Open for snowshoeing & fat tire biking)
Tahoe Donner Downhill | Opens Dec. 7
