BLUEBIRD: Tahoe Resorts Open for Biz
Things were looking grim last week as three days of rain and rising snow levels threatened to push back opening day in Tahoe even further into December. As the weekend approached local riders checked Web sites and snowphones with anticipation,while local resorts weighed the odds of starting the lifts. Northstar-at-Tahoe was the first North Shore resort to open last week, with 18 inches on the summit and more than 20 inches at mid-mountain thanks to some help from a healthy snowmaking system.
Alpine Meadows was quick to follow on Friday with two lifts, Kangaroo and Roundhouse, carrying skiers to the terrain park and sparsely covered off piste. Ski patrol opened Summit Six on Saturday with 36 inches at the top, not much, but enough for locals who were riding knee deep this time last year.
Squaw Valley, Sugar Bowl and Mt. Rose started up on Saturday. Mt. Rose and Squaw lead the pack with more than 38 inches on the summit and enough runs to satisfy early season cravings. On the south end of the lake Heavenly opened its California side on Wednesday and by the end of the weekend had both states covered with 16 lifts open for business.
A side trip to Kirkwood proved to be well worth the extra effort on Sunday when mountain operations opened The Wall and Cornice Express leading riders into the chutes and steeps in Wagon Wheel and Sentinel Bowls. Despite a few core shots from the early season conditions Sunday provided a few hidden stashes in the trees and enough bumps to make even Moseley’s knees sore.
More snow is predicted in the Tahoe region throughout this week and resorts are making as much snow as temperatures will allow. Homewood and Diamond Peak and are expected to open by the Dec. 15 and maybe the Pineapple Express won’t ruin winter in Tahoe after all.