Opening dates for Lake Tahoe ski resorts; Heavenly, Northstar set for Nov. 18
Every ski season resort openings are predicated on the weather, at least partially. Although snow fall is definitely the preferred method to get the season kick-started, these days with all the snowmaking efforts that resorts provide, all that’s really needed are some cold evenings and days where the temperature doesn’t rise too high and offset the snowmaking process.
Many Lake Tahoe ski resorts, big and small, have extensive snowmaking equipment, so they aren’t waiting for the snow to arrive before offering skiing and snowboarding for a new season. However, some resorts like Sierra-at-Tahoe do it the old-fashion way.
“We rely 100 percent on natural snow. Traditionally, we open around Thanksgiving or the first week(s) in December. Pray for snow!” Sierra spokesperson Steven Hemphill wrote earlier this week.
Boreal Mountain Resort is the only Lake Tahoe resort open right now, while further south Mammoth Mountain opened on Thursday. But with snowmaking efforts going well thus far, both Heavenly and Northstar-at-Tahoe are planning to open on Friday (Nov. 18). And weather depending, expect several other Tahoe resorts to open by Thanksgiving.
