Three California Ski Resorts CLOSE Due to Lack of Snow…

Dodge Ridge and Badger Pass ski resorts in the Central Sierra Nevada and Mt. Shasta Ski Park in the Cascade range of California have all shut down due to a major lack of snow.  They all hope to reopen once snowfall returns.  If it returns…

“We probably could have limped along with some of our learning-area terrain open.  But it’s not quite the experience that we want people to have.” – Sean Waterman, Dodge Ridge spokesman

Ski Patrol and ground crews at Dodge Ridge towed 1,000 buckets of snow by snowmobile to cover up dry spots on their runs last week.  Clearly, this wasn’t a viable solution.  They need snow.

“We did that as long as we could.  It’s frustrating, but it’s Mother Nature.” – Sean Waterman

CLOSING STATEMENTS:

“Due to unseasonably warm temperatures skiing + riding at Dodge Ridge is on a brief hold until the next winter storm delivers enough snow to resume operations. Thank you for being supportive and understanding as we wait for Mother Nature to return and deliver some much needed snow.” – Dodge Ridge

“In consideration of guest safety, resource protection, and guest experience, Badger Pass will temporarily close after buisness Monday, January 19, 2015. We plan on reopening as soon as we receive the appropriate amount of snow.” – Badger Pass

Thank you all for your patronage this 2014/15 Season.  We are temporarily closed until the next storm comes in.  Please check back as we will update as new weather forecasts develop. – Mt. Shasta Ski Park

Tahoe Donner Cross Country ski area in Truckee, CA announced that they will be closing down soon due to lack of snow.  

According to UC Berkley’s Donner Summit Snow Laboratory, Tahoe has received 70 inches of snowfall this winter as of January 20th.  That’s 41% of average for that date.

Last winter in Lake Tahoe was the 2nd worst on record with only 48% of average snowfall.

The problem this year has been low snowfall, high snow levels, and very warm temperatures.  Reno tied a 44-year-old record reaching 66-degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday.  At the time of this writing, 3:00pm on January 22nd, 2014 it is currently 45F in Lake Tahoe, CA.  The current forecast for Lake Tahoe is for nothing but sun and high heat.

California is experiencing its fourth year of extreme and exceptional drought.