Industry News
Despite a storm of historic proportions in October that dumped over three feet of snow on California, two Lake Tahoe ski resorts announced yesterday that due to warm temperatures they are postponing their opening day.
Vail Resorts Heavenly and Northstar California made the announcement on social media yesterday. Both were scheduled to open this Friday. A new opening date has not been set.
While we were hoping to ski and ride with you this weekend, Mother Nature had other plans with some warmer temps. We work hard every year to meet our targeted opening dates, but we’ll be pushing back just a bit this year. We can’t wait to welcome you back, and will have an update for you early next week. While we aren’t quite ready to ski and ride yet, the Northstar village is still open – we hope you join us as we get ready for the season!
– Northstar California statement
Temperatures since the October storm has seen highs from the 50s to the lower 60s, melting away most of the snow that fell. A recent drop in temperature allowed Heavenly to begin snowmaking, but not nearly enough to open.
While we work hard to meet our target opening dates every year, there is only so much we can do when Mother Nature is in control. Our snowmaking efforts at Heavenly are up and running, but we also need a little bit of help with some cooler temps. We can’t wait to kick off the season, and hope to do so very soon – please look for updated information early next week. While the slopes aren’t quite ready to ski and ride yet, sightseeing will still begin for guests as planned with the opening of our gondola and Tamarack Lodge this Friday.
According to the announcements, Heavenly’s gondola and Tamarack Lodge will still open Friday and Northstar’s village will remain open.
Palisades Tahoe, another Tahoe resort, opened briefly for a weekend at the end of October, taking advantage of the snowfall, but closed soon after and never reopened due to the warming temperatures. They’ve been making snow and are targeting a November 24th opening.
