Industry News
A powerful mid-February storm cycle delivered historic snowfall to Palisades Tahoe, with the resort reporting its highest five-day snowfall accumulation since 1970. According to the resort and data from the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab, the storm that hit the Sierra Nevada between February 16 and February 20 dropped approximately 115 inches (9.5 feet) of snow across the mountain. At times, snowfall rates exceeded four inches per hour, while ridgetop winds surpassed 90 mph, creating rapidly changing conditions and significant avalanche hazard. By the end of the storm cycle, Palisades Tahoe’s season-to-date snowfall had climbed to 278 inches—about 105% of average for that point in the season.
Palisades Tahoe described the event as one of the most complex operational periods in recent memory. Just weeks earlier, the mountain had experienced more than a month without meaningful snowfall, with teams focused on preserving the existing snowpack. The sudden arrival of an intense storm cycle quickly shifted operations into full storm response mode.
Avalanche forecasters transitioned from monitoring gradual snowpack changes to tracking rapid loading rates and wind transport across start zones. Grooming crews moved from refining surfaces to rebuilding access routes buried under deep snow, while lift maintenance teams worked to keep terminals clear under extreme accumulation.
On February 17, storm totals surpassed two feet of snow, with visibility dropping significantly and winds forcing the closure of upper mountain lifts. Avalanche hazard prompted temporary base-area closures, and operations were eventually halted for the remainder of the day, according to Palisade Tahoe’s blog.
Conditions intensified on February 18 when 17 inches of snow overnight pushed the 24-hour total to 34 inches, placing the period among the top 10 largest 24-hour snowfall totals recorded at the resort. By that point, more than six feet of snow had fallen in three days. Deep snow and travel restrictions made movement across the mountain difficult for patrol and operations teams. Snowcats struggled to climb even low-angle terrain due to the volume of light-density snow, limiting access routes needed for avalanche mitigation and maintenance work.
Despite the challenges, mountain operations teams coordinated across departments to open limited terrain during short weather windows. By late morning on February 18, 12 lifts were operating, thanks to coordinated efforts between patrol, grooming crews, and lift maintenance teams. The storm then continued through February 19, adding another 15 inches and pushing the four-day storm total beyond eight feet. Patrol teams began work as early as 4:00 a.m. evaluating avalanche conditions and potential access routes, though deep snow and limited travel corridors ultimately restricted terrain openings at several areas of the resort.
The storm cycle concluded February 20 with a final 18 inches of snow, bringing the five-day total to 115 inches. Following the storm, crews focused on rebuilding travel corridors, conducting avalanche mitigation, and gradually reopening terrain as conditions stabilized. By midday on February 20, 17 lifts were operating, though some upper mountain terrain remained difficult to access due to deep snow and limited travel routes.
Shortly after the storm cycle ended, warmer temperatures and an atmospheric river brought rain to parts of the region. According to Palisades Tahoe ski patrol leadership, the rainfall helped consolidate the storm snow, increasing snowpack density and strengthening the base heading into spring.
With the deep new snow and strengthened base, Palisades Tahoe says it expects to operate through Memorial Day, May 25, positioning the resort for an extended spring ski season. The historic storm cycle has reshaped the mountain for the remainder of the winter, building a durable base that will likely support classic Sierra spring skiing conditions in the weeks ahead.
