Conditions Report
Report from May 8, 2025
Every time we load our gear into the car at 4:45 am for a Palisades spring skiing trip—pitch-black and only half-awake—it ends up being a phenomenal, fun-packed 16 hours.
And once again, this gorgeous May day proved to be no different.
Since Palisades Tahoe is, as always, the last resort open around the basin, it was time to make our annual voyage.
We decided to spruce up the already scenic drive on Highway 89 by stopping at Emerald Bay for sunrise.
After marveling in the beauty and serenity surrounding us for far too long, we made our way into the parking lot of Palisades around 7:15 a.m.
Lifts are currently spinning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., except for the beloved and cherished KT-22, which runs until 2 p.m.
We were thrilled to be there so early, knowing we would experience the changing snow conditions throughout our day.
At this point, we finished getting our boots on around 7:45 as my car thermometer read a brisk 36°.
However, the sun was quickly warming our bones and bodies and likely softening the snow as well.
Our ski day then promptly began at 8 a.m. with an enthusiastic ride up the funitel.
During our first hour, the fresh corduroy below Siberia Bowl and off Gold Coast was delightful, and seemingly endless.
Fast, yet not too firm, and a perfect corn consistency, creating a blank canvas to lay down some beautiful turns.
We lapped this zone a handful of times before deciding to venture over to Shirley Express and Granite Chief.
As expected, the wiggle or snake-run skiers left of the lift, was massive, long, and immediately calling our names.
There is something special to be said about a wiggle of this magnitude.
Slashing and pumping for what felt like 50 turns on 6+ ft banked walls isn’t necessarily an easy thing to do.
But it sure as hell is exhilarating!
In reality, before closing day on Memorial Day Monday, I might have to come back just to wiggle once more.
After a bunch of hot laps on Shirley, I knew it was time to venture over to the Gold Coast Terrain Park.
Going up the chairlift and seeing the size and extensive amount of challenging features can be somewhat discouraging to someone new to the park, like I am.
But watching professionals and sponsored athletes alongside aspiring skiers and snowboarders throwing down mind-boggling tricks is one of the coolest things.
On the plus side, I quickly discovered the smaller-sized progression park where I was much more comfortable practicing 360s and hitting easier rails.
I completely understand why so many people flock here in the spring to progress in the park.
Overall, the day was filled with a little bit of everything I love and look for in spring skiing.
Early morning corduroy and ripping fast, wide turns on open slopes.
A couple of Granite Chief and KT-22 laps to challenge ourselves in more technical terrain and variable snow.
And super fun, slushy, cruisy park laps as our time on the mountain drew to a close.
Another Palisades spring skiing mission complete, and I don’t think I’ll be able to wait until next season to do it again.
Thankfully, one of my favorite benefits and major draws of an Ikon pass is being able to buy in the spring and ride for the rest of this season and all of the next.
In typical Tahoe spring fashion, we took off our boots and snow gear, swapping them for flip-flops and bathing suits.
Less than an hour after getting off the mountain, we were floating on our paddle boards in crystal clear Meeks Bay, relaxing in tranquility.
At that moment, we both felt a sense of gratification for just how incredible the day had been.
From the stunning sunrise to a spectacular day 100 skiing at Palisades, then capped off with a peaceful float on the lake, spring in Tahoe is truly one of a kind.
