Industry News
Palisades Tahoe, California, has had to delay its opening day, originally scheduled for Wednesday, November 26. The delay comes as the resort struggles with limited natural snowfall and inconsistent snowmaking conditions, both of which are necessary to establish a safe and durable snow base.
Despite early-season storms delivering light snowfall, the mountain has yet to experience the sustained cold and dry conditions required for effective snowmaking. Snowmaking teams have been active during every available cold snap, but brief windows coupled with high humidity have impeded the volume of snow needed to open lifts responsibly.
“Our crews remain on standby 24/7, ready to make rapid progress once temperatures drop and a solid snowmaking window appears,” said a Palisades Tahoe spokesperson. The resort remains committed to updating guests through its website and social media channels as conditions evolve.
Visitors can still enjoy a host of holiday festivities in The Village, including scenic aerial tram rides, live music, family-focused events, and special Thanksgiving meals, all set against a crisp, early winter backdrop. Those with ski or ride reservations will receive automatic refunds as Palisades Tahoe prioritizes safety and snow quality for its guests.
Looking ahead, the resort is optimistic. A promising forecast for colder weather and more reliable snowmaking conditions is on the horizon, with crews prepared to expedite lift openings when the mountain is ready for a strong season once conditions permit. The long-range forecast from OpenSnow shows the potential for up to two feet of snow in the first week of December.
Last season, the resort opened on November 22, five days earlier than planned. In 2023, it opened on November 22. In 2022, thanks to three feet of snow, it opened early on November 18. In 2021, despite a brief opening in October due to heavy snowfall, the resort closed and didn’t reopen until early December.
Elsewhere around Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe in Nevada opened for the season on Friday, November 21. Heavenly Mountain Resort in California is set to open today, Monday, November 24, while Kirkwood is scheduled to open on December 5. Northstar has postponed its planned November 21 opening and now says it will remain closed through Thanksgiving. Boreal has pushed back its targeted November 21 opening, with a new date yet to be set, and Sierra-at-Tahoe has also delayed its original November 28 opening, with no new date announced. Sugar Bowl is targeting November 28.
