Tahoe Downhill Ski Guide | 2023-24 Winter Edition by Tahoe Guide (Tahoe Weekly)

i k S ill h n Dow 23

rdANNUAL TAHOE

Diamond Peak | Ryan Salm

GUIDE

2023-24 WINTER EDITION

The

#1 source

outdoors, recreation & visitor info YourTahoeGuide.com @TahoeGuide

parking shuttle

scenic gondola

biathlon

cat skiing

nordic skiing

childcare

back-country access

ice skating

tubing & sledding

mini snowmobiling

night skiing

military discount

snowshoeing

fat tire biking

OPENS 11.17.23

founded 1966

OPENS 12.7..23

% of terrain

skiable acres

380

# of trails

vertical feet

500

terrain parks

Events Dec. 8-April 5 (select dates) | Play Forever Fridays Dec. 16 | Corenation Jan. 13 & March | Party in the Peace Park Jan. 19-21 | Beyond the Boundaries Jan. 27 | Burton Mystery Tour Feb. TBA | Technically Doing It March TBA | Clover Cup March 20-22 | Jamie Anderson event April 6 | Boreal Banked Slalom With GoTime Tickets at Boreal, skiers and riders can pick the time to arrive at the mountain and save money by choosing a later start time in the day. Hint: The later in the day you come, the better the deal. 12 & younger free | Boreal continues to offer its Kids Ride Free program to youth ages 12 and younger with a pass with the purchase of an Adult Unlimited Pass for the season.

Night Pass | The Night Passes return for the season to enjoy nightly access to the lifts from 3 to 8 p.m. with a new lower price offered this season. Woodward Tahoe | Boreal is home to Woodward Tahoe, offering indoor facilities at The Bunker with foam pits, trampolines, an indoor skatepark, ramps and drops. Outside, check out the network of terrain zones to build skills. Drop in for a few hours or purchase a monthly membership. Private sessions are also available.

% of terrain

skiable acres

65 41

vertical feet

1,840

terrain parks

Play Forever Fridays | Formerly known as Feel Good Fridays, enjoy $25 lift tickets with proceeds going to a nonprofit. Offered once a month from Dec. 8 through April 5.

OPEN

founded 1947

Uphill access | Diamond Peak offers uphill access for Diamond Peak passholders or IVGID passholders. Shuttle | Diamond Peak offers two shuttles servings Incline Village. Deals | Diamond Peak offers free skiing on your birthday, along with military and dependents deals, transferrable passes and a 2 for 1 deal for those with disabilities. n

# of trails

skiable acres

505

terrain parks

% of terrain

skiable acres

1,000

Ski & ride free | Children 6 and younger and adults older than 80 years ski for free.

TUBING OPENS 11.23.23 SLEDHILL OPENS 12.15.23

% of terrain

Donner Ski Ranch, one of the region’s only family-owned ski areas still in operation in the Tahoe Sierra, offers one of the region’s best deals with a season pass with no black-out dates. And, DSR has extended its pass sale through Thanksgiving Day. Guests may also purchase a tubing pass. Old School Days | Next to the season pass deal, Old School Days is another fantastic option with adult tickets only $59 or $39 for kids every Tuesday to Thursday starting Jan. 10 (excludes some holiday periods)

donnerskiranch.com 2

GRANLIBAKKEN

vertical feet

New PistenBully | The investment in a new PistenBully 600 W winch snowcat will ensure the resort is able provide stellar corduroy skiing. With multiple steep runs groomed nightly including Lightning, Diamondback, Powder, Luggi’s, Show Off and Slalom Glade, the resort’s winch cat is an essential piece of grooming equipment.

diamondpeak.com

TBD

Owned by the residents of Incline Village, Nev., Diamond Peak is one of the region’s only independently owned ski areas and is open to everyone. It is also one of only a few downhill resorts offering breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe from many of its runs. Remodeled food court | The Baselodge Provisions food court has undergone a complete remodel. Customers can expect a more aesthetically pleasing look and more intuitive layout in the food court; and behind the scenes, a full kitchen remodel will provide greater efficiency for the resort’s kitchen staff.

Mountain biking expansion | The resort is hoping to break ground on top to bottom mountain biking trails at the resort in summer 2024. n

Donner Ski Ranch

founded 1937

# of trails

rideboreal.com, woodwardtahoe.com

DONNER SKI RANCH

Diamond Peak

opened 1964

DIAMOND PEAK SKI AREA

Granlibakken

BOREAL MOUNTAIN RESORT

Boreal Mountain Resort

2023 TAHOE DOWNHILL SKI GUIDE | YourTahoeGuide.com

The Pie | Janet’s Famous Homemade Pies are worth the trip. Pies are baked daily and are offered by the slice or the whole pie while they last. Enjoy Key Lime, Pecan, Peach, Blueberry Cream, Chocolate Cream, Berry or Caramel Apple among other others at Old 40 Bar & Grill. They sell out fast, so grab them when you can. n

vertical feet

300

Events Dec. 24 | Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade & Santa visit Granlibakken resort opened in 1947, but the historic ski and sled hill originally known as Ski Canyon has been the site for winter sports dating back nearly 100 years. This is a perfect spot for family tubing and skiing and is one of the few remaining family-owned ski areas in the Tahoe Sierra. The ski hill and ski school are open Friday to Monday and daily during holidays. There is also a Nordic trail around the property and the Rawhide trail that goes to Page Meadows.

granlibakken.com

Tubing | The resort offers popular tubing lanes served by snowmaking systems along with the Benny the Bear snow play area. Night sledding | Enjoy night sledding from mid-December to mid-January starting at 5 p.m. with lights and music. Complimentary hot mulled wine for adults and hot chocolate for kids are included with every ticket. Winter dining | Cedar House Pub reopens on Nov. 24 featuring its new winter dinner menu. This is one of Tahoe’s best under-the-radar dining spots and worth the trip to enjoy a fantastic dinner. Rusty’s located next to the ski hill will reopen this year featuring an Asian noodle bar menu with vegetarian and vegan options available. n

Heavenly

Nov. 15-Dec. 12 2023 | 2023 TAHOE DOWNHILL SKI GUIDE

HEAVENLY founded 1955

% of terrain

skiable acres

4,800 # of trails

vertical feet

3,500

terrain parks

Paid parking | Heavenly will be implementing a reservation-based paid parking program at the California Base Area on weekends and peak periods. Stagecoach and Boulder lots will remain free daily.

Heavenly sits in two states, providing a one-of-a-kind skiing experience with its iconic, breathtaking views nestled within the Sierra Nevada.

Whether you are taking in the unbelievable panoramic views of Lake Tahoe on the California side, or seeing the Carson Valley extend for miles on the Nevada side, you are sure to have your breath taken away by both beauty and adventure. North Bowl lift | Heavenly’s upgraded North Bowl Lift is open. Upgraded from a fixed-grip 3-person chair to a high-speed detachable 4-person chair last year, this upgrade reduces the combined ride time of the Boulder and North Bowl lifts. It also reduces wait times at the Stagecoach and Olympic lifts and provides better access to underutilized terrain at the resort.

Brews & Views | The new Brews and Views après experience will take place monthly at the Lakeview Lodge featuring food, drinks, music and beer tastings. Dates TBA. Eliminating plastic | Heavenly will be piloting an aluminum bottle program to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bottles at Tamarack Lodge. Kids ski free | Kids ages 4 & younger ski free. n

12.1.23

% of terrain

skiable acres

1,260 # of trails

vertical feet

1,6500 terrain parks

Homewood Mountain Resort has changed its course to become a private resort and will remain open to the public, Harry Hirsch, the resort’s vice president and general manager announced on Nov. 7 during the annual Breakfast Club hosted by the North Tahoe Community Alliance. “I know there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding our beautiful resorts and I’m just glad to share some pretty exciting updates with you,” Hirsch said. “First and foremost, Homewood is and will continue to be reserved for all to enjoy. So, we are not closing our doors to passholders or daily ticket buyers and we will be open for all including our local community.” Hirsch added that the resort will be developed “consistent with the 2011 master plan,” which was previously approved by TRPA.

construction permit to TRPA for a new gondola to replace Madden Chair that is under review. The gondola is part of the resort’s approved master plan. The master plan and gondola application are available at trpa.gov/major-projects. Mountain improvements | The resort plans to implement improved infrastructure and amenities, including real estate offerings, community gathering spaces and significant tree work across the resort. Other planned improvements include new snowmaking infrastructure, upgrading grooming equipment, new midmountain facilities and new North Base facilities. Food & beverage | New food and beverage offerings are on tap for Bar 89, Madden Cafe and Big Blue View bar. Paid parking | Daily parking reservations are required and parking passes are available. n

% of terrain

skiable acres

2,300 # of trails

vertical feet

2,000

terrain parks

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

OPENS

skihomewood.com

KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT opened 1972

12.15.23

Opens earlier for passholders

New gondola | Hirsch noted that the resort has already submitted a

skiheavenly.com

HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT founded 1961

OPENS 11.17.23

Rendering of new gondola submitted to TRPA. | Homewood Mountain Resort

Events Dec. 31 | Fireworks & Torchlight Parade Jan. 28 | Freeride Junior Tour TBA | Banked Slalom With 2,300 acres of terrain and more than 2,000 feet of vertical, Kirkwood is an outdoor playground packed with thrills. The rugged terrain and prolific deep snowpack beckon shredders. Family Learning Zone | Timber Creek’s secluded location, natural fall lines, kids adventure area, slow zones and dedicated chairlifts make it one of the top places to learn to ski and ride.

during holidays/peak periods to include the VIP, Village Chair 9 and Volcano lots. Vehicles with four or more passengers will park for free. The shuttle will continue to operate throughout the base area, as well. Expedition: Kirkwood | Expedition: Kirkwood is for the avid adventurer looking for back-country opportunities with a range of clinics and private guides. Your phone is your pass | Use the new

Purchase season passes,MyliftEpictickets &thegift cards at App to skip ticket window and go straight to the lifts. Mobile tickets DiamondPeak.com

Kids ski free | Kids ages 4 & younger ski free. Paid parking | Kirkwood will institute a combination of free and paid parking options on Saturdays and Sundays and

kirkwood.com

and passes will be scanned hands-free, from your pocket using Bluetooth Low Energy technology. The My Epic app also offers an interactive trail map with GPS location tracking, and mountain and resort alerts including operational information like grooming updates, terrain status, snow reports and conditions. n

skiing more than 4 days? Invest in a season pass Free parking, no blackouts, bonus tickets to partner resorts, and kids 6 & under ski free Purchase or renew season passes online:

DiamondPeak.com

MT. ROSE SKI TAHOE opened 1964

OPEN

% of terrain

skiable acres

1,200+ # of trails

70+

vertical feet

1,800

terrain parks

Events Dec. 9 | Santa Ski Day Dec. 31 | New Year’s Eve Fireworks Feb. 24 | Silver Dollar Derby March 7 | Pink Fest Tahoe March 9-10 | Tahoe Freeride Chutes Comp To complement massive investments the resort has made over the past several years in new lifts, trail improvements and snowmaking, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is focused on refreshing other elements of the guest experience for the 2023-24 season.

New grooming equipment | Mt. Rose has purchased two new PistenBully snow grooming machines and two new snowmaking towers to increase the grooming capacity at the resort. The Chutes | Opened in the 2004-05 season, the 200+ acre Chutes offer some of the longest vertical feet in North America. Tackle more than 1,000 feet of north-facing slopes with pitches from 40 to 55 degrees. This expert-only area may be accessed through designated gates – four on the Mt. Rose side and five on the Winters Creek Lodge side. The Deals | Mt. Rose offers some great deals throughout the season including Two’fer Tuesdays, Ladies’ Day on Thursdays, SKI.G.I.F on Fridays, Locals Sundays and discounted tickets for service and hospitality workers. n

PALISADES TAHOE OLYMPIC VALLEY opened 1949

OPENS 11.22.23

% of terrain

skiable acres

3,600 # of trails

170+

vertical feet

2,850

terrain parks

Events Dec. 15-16 | Tahoe Live Festival Dec. 22-March 16 (select dates) | Snowshoe Tour & Dinner Jan. 20 | Arc’teryx Winter Film Tour Jan. 20-March 16 (select dates) | Winter Pairings Dinners Feb. 23-25 | World Cup Tour April 5-7 | WinterWonderGrass Festival April | Snow Golf TBD | Cushing Crossing In its 75th anniversary season, Palisades Tahoe will again host one of four U.S. stops of the Audi FIS World Cup and is unveiling major investments around the resort. On-mountain food | The midMountain Gold Coast Lodge has received a multi-million dollar makeover that will improve the guest experience and create several new dining options.

palisadestahoe.com 4

OPENS

% of terrain

skiable acres

3,170 # of trails

100

vertical feet

2,280

terrain parks

With more than 3,000 acres, families can progress together in designated learning zones, or for more advanced guests, explore more than 400 acres of advanced terrain on Lookout Mountain, or test your legs on Logger Loop: the longest run at Northstar California, extending 1.4 miles.

open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Village in the old Starbucks location. Featuring Lavazza coffee, sweet and savory breakfast offerings and relaxing après with specialty cocktails. Wild Pine | Enjoy modern mountain fare and a family-friendly dining experience complete with hearty meals, shared plates and signature cocktails every day from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wild Pine features comfort food offerings like platters, sandwiches and bowls.

Paid parking | Northstar will be implementing a reservation-based paid parking program at Village View and Lower Village Preferred Paid lots on weekends and during peak periods, while the Castle Peak lot will remain free daily, with no reservations required. Vehicles with four or more passengers can park for free.

Your phone is your pass | Use the new My Epic App to skip the ticket window and go straight to the lifts. Mobile tickets and passes will be scanned hands-free, from your pocket using Bluetooth Low Energy technology. The My Epic app also offers an interactive trail map with GPS location tracking, and mountain and resort alerts including operational information like grooming updates, terrain status, snow reports and conditions.

Vous | From first sip to last pour, Vous (short for Rendezvous – like the chairlift servicing Northstar’s East Ridge) is the new gathering spot for family and friends

Kids ski free | Kids ages 4 & younger ski free. n

northstarcalifornia.com Palisades Tahoe

skirose.com

opened 1972

Resort upgrades | Guests will enjoy a new deck at the top of the new Lakeview Express lift that opened last season, new furniture and a servery remodel in the Lodgepole Cafe, a heated ramp from the parking lot to the ticket windows at the main lodge and new technology to improve the experience on the resort’s website.

NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA 11.17.23

Northstar California

Mount Rose Ski Tahoe

2023 TAHOE DOWNHILL SKI GUIDE | YourTahoeGuide.com

The Gold Coast Food Hall will be revamped with an expanded menu at Funi’s and Marketplace, an increase in variety within the ARC, the reopening of 39⁰ North showcasing Asian Fusion Cuisine and Healthy Choice selections at all dining locations. Base area dining | The new Japaneseinspired Oishii Ramen will open in Olympic House, while Rocker in the Village will offer brunch on the weekends from 7 to 11 a.m. Mountain upgrades | After 25 years of operation, Palisades Tahoe has replaced the Funitel haul rope with a new galvanized rope that spans almost seven miles. This upgrade follows last year›s additions of the Base to Base Gondola and the high-speed six-pack Red Dog lift.

Snowmaking | The resort has increased its snow-making capabilities by installing five new snowmaking machines on the Palisades side near the Exhibition lift. On the Alpine side, the resort has upgraded its snowmaking infrastructure by adding 2,000 feet of new snowmaking lines. Grooming | Palisades Tahoe has expanded its snowcat fleet by adding five new snowcats and installing four new winch picks across the mountain. Paid parking | Parking reservations will be required at Palisades Tahoe for all vehicles on weekends and holidays before 1 p.m. Mid-week parking will remain free and will not require a reservation. Carpools of three or more people will have access to parking spaces that are closer to the lifts. | parkpalisadestahoe. com Palisades Tahoe app | A new navigation tool within the app will allow users to easily identify terrain that aligns with their ability level and receive stepby-step guidance on how to reach those areas at the resort. Rentals | Palisades Tahoe has invested over half a million dollars this year in

a new standard, high performance and demo ski fleet including Head, Salomon, Volkl, Blizzard, K2, Atomic, Nordica and more.

ALPINE MEADOWS

Employee housing | The resort acquired the Tahoe Vistana Inn in Tahoe Vista and a multi-unit property in Kings Beach to provide housing options.

OPENS

Mountaineer shuttle | The free, ondemand winter transportation in Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows will expand its operating schedule for the 2023-24 winter season. Passengers may request rides through the Mountaineer app. Mountaineer will operate its 9-passenger, dog-friendly vans equipped with ski/ snowboard racks between Dec. 8 and April 7 daily in Olympic Valley from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Service in Alpine Meadows will be Thursday to Monday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Service between the two valleys will be offered daily from 5 to 11 p.m. There will be extended service during holidays and special events. | mountaineertransit.org Retail | Roark has unveiled its latest flagship store in The Village at Palisades Tahoe offering premium clothing and gear. n

opened 1961

11.22.23

% of terrain

skiable acres

2,400 # of trails

100+

vertical feet

1,802

opened 1946

OPENS

SKY TAVERN opened 1948

OPENS

12.2.23

Sky Tavern

SIERRA AT TAHOE

Sierra-at-Tahoe

Nov. 15-Dec. 12 2023 | 2023 TAHOE DOWNHILL SKI GUIDE

12.13.23

% of terrain

skiable acres

2,000 # of trails

vertical feet

2,212

terrain parks

Events March 23-24 | Subaru Winterfest Still recovering from the Caldor Fire that burned through the resort in 2021, this season a new maintenance shop will house Sierra-at-Tahoe’s Mountain Operations department and day care services will return. Sierra-at-Tahoe Road has been repaved and parking lot improvements have been completed. In 2021, the Caldor Fire blazed through Sierra-at-Tahoe affecting 1,600 of its 2,000 acres, damaging lift towers, haul ropes, disintegrating terrain park features and melting four new snowcats. Military ski free | Active duty military personnel can ski or ride for free on

sierraattahoe.com

Sundays starting Jan. 21 throughout the season. Discounts | The resort will also offer a new special rate 2023-24 season pass for First Responders. Adventure Zones | On-mountain themed adventure zones feature terrain elements such as rollers, mini jumps and banked turns that keep children entertained, while signage and animated characters educate them on local history and animal species. Each adventure zone focuses on a theme, including the Wampa Cave featuring a Star Wars theme. Mountain Tours | Learn more about the geology and history of Sierra-at-Tahoe and the Lake Tahoe Basin on a guided, onehour tour on select weekends. n

skiable acres

150

# of trails

Events Nov. 17-18 | Ski Swap

vertical feet

900

terrain parks

Located on the Mount Rose Highway, Sky Tavern is home to the oldest nonprofit ski and snowboard training facility in America. The ski area is a co-op that is run by volunteers that man the lifts, teach the lessons and perform every task around the resort to teach kids how to ski and ride.

Snowmaking | The area’s first phase of snowmaking has been completed with a $2 million investment. Race program | Sky Tavern will offer a Level 500 coach race program from Alpine Director Mike Savage this season. Shop the Swap | Help the nonprofit that runs the ski hill continue its programs at its annual Ski Swap on Nov. 17 and 18 in Reno., Nev. n

Seasons passes are required to access the ski area along with a few hours of your time for adults or kids must be registered in one of its programs.

skytavern.org

2023 TAHOE DOWNHILL SKI GUIDE | YourTahoeGuide.com

MARK’S COLUMN IS

SPONSORED BY

Tahoe winter weather outlook Epic winter of 2023, El Niño conditions ripe for 2024 BY MARK MCLAUGHLIN

Official Sponsor of Good Times in North Lake Tahoe & Truckee!

TahoeDaves.com

t the stroke of midnight on Sept. 30, the 2023 water year in California bit the dust. Now that the snow has mostly melted from that monster winter, it’s time to evaluate the sensational headlines and realize that it was not the record season for snow and water that some in the media would have you believe. References to record snow and precipitation continue even though end-of-year water data indicate otherwise.

Officially, 754 inches (nearly 63 feet) of snow buried the Central Sierra Snow Laboratory near Donner Pass, the fifth greatest at Norden/Soda Springs since Central Pacific Railroad began measuring snowfall there in 1880. That’s not to say it wasn’t an epic season. Officially, 754 inches (nearly 63 feet) of snow buried the Central Sierra Snow Laboratory near Donner Pass, fifth greatest at Norden/Soda Springs since Central Pacific Railroad began measuring snowfall there in 1880. Tahoe City’s location also ranked fifth for snowfall with 316 inches, along with third place for coldest on record. Weather Bureau measurements for Tahoe City began in 1909, the longest dataset in the Tahoe Basin. For any Tahoe City residents who were still angling for first place, you needed 219 inches (18.3 feet) more snow to tie the monster winter of 1952.

Ski area snowfall

NOAA does not include snowfall data from ski areas in official tallies. Resorts are seasonal, relatively new (compared to century-old NWS sites) and accuracy has not always been a priority in daily measurements. Snow, of course, is one of the products they sell. But in the Sierra high country last year, incessant atmospheric rivers coupled with consistently below normal temperatures trans6

lated into seemingly endless powder dumps. Every resort experienced one of its best winters in memory for snow depth, quality and refills. A few California ski resorts set new maximum snowfall measurements. Palisades Tahoe didn’t set a record, but with 723 inches at 8,000 feet elevation, according to the resort’s snowfall tracker, it was a top tier winter like 2017 and 2011. Alpine Meadows will most likely no longer be in the running for extreme snowfall recognition since in the past year or two it appears that the 8,000-foot elevation site is offline, and its website says that measurements are now being taken at the bottom of the Roundhouse chairlift at 6,950 feet where rain and wetter denser snow are more common. At Mammoth Mountain, with a peak elevation exceeding 11,000 feet in the southern Sierra, 2023 blew past its old snowfall record with about 900 inches (75 feet) at the summit. Snowfall and precipitation totals were more anomalous south of the Tahoe Sierra.

Not quite the wettest winter

Indicative of the relatively dry, powder-type characteristics of last season’s snowfall, the critical 8-Station Northern Sierra Index for precipitation was about 66 inches. That’s 13 inches above average but well shy of recent wet winters such as 2019 with 77 inches or 2017 with 95. In the Great Basin, at least eight Utah resorts set new maximum snowfall totals. Alta Ski Area set a record with 903 inches (75 feet) by the time it closed at the end of April 2023. The region is famous for its light fluffy snow, but anyone who got a taste of the bottomless cold smoke powder this winter will be bragging about it for years to come. Utah hydrologists tallied 30 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE) in the snowpack statewide, also a record.

2024: El Niño conditions ripe

For the upcoming winter there is a greater than 95 percent chance that the current El Niño-influenced warming phase of the world’s equatorial oceans will continue into March 2024. According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s recent El Niño Advisory, the likelihood that this event will be ranked “strong” is near 75 percent. After three consecutive years of La Niña’s cooler conditions, sea surface temperatures (SST) spiked this spring across vast reaches of our watery planet and are now the warmest in recorded

TOP 10

SNOWFALL TOTALS TAKEN FROM DONNER PASS 1. 1938 | 819” 2. 1952 | 812” 3. 1880 | 783” 4. 1890 | 776” 5. 2023 | 754” 6. 1895 | 685” 7. 1983 | 671” 8. 1935 | 661” 9. 2011 | 643” 10. 1893 | 634”

Snow management was a full-time job. | Mark McLaughlin

history. These exceptional SST conditions are unprecedented in the modern record, and it seems logical that the intensified latent heat and moisture will fuel storms this winter. Scientists caution, however, that the effects of the El Niño Southern Oscillation are muted if the atmosphere doesn’t shift gears along with the ocean. Currently, over the east-central Pacific Ocean, low-level winds have reversed to a westerly flow, while upper-level winds are easterly, both counter to the prevailing direction of the Walker Circulation that transfers heat energy across the Pacific. These tropical anomalies along with observed equatorial rainfall pattern changes indicate El Niño conditions are ripe in the Pacific Ocean. The little boy with the reputation for atmospheric troublemaking is here (El Niño is Spanish for little boy). Avid powder hounds are excited for a potent El Niño-influenced storm pattern on the Pacific Coast this winter. Yes, but where and how will the all-important polar and tropical jet streams set up, and how long will they focus energy on the Tahoe Sierra?

El Niño’s weather swings

Large-scale pattern changes like a deepening of the semi-permanent low-pressure system in the Gulf of Alaska and an enhanced sub-tropical jet stream from the Pacific Ocean into central and southern California are classic signals with a strong El Niño, but

do not always portend the kind of wild weather people in California associate with the name. In its advisory the CPC admits that “a strong El Niño does not necessarily equate to strong impacts locally, with the odds of related climate anomalies often lower than the chances of El Niño itself.” The CPC’s seasonal outlook projects temperature and precipitation trends several months out, but these long-range products are not forecasting tools. Last year’s outlook wasn’t even close. As of this writing, CPC projections for the core winter months of December, January and February indicate little influence from a strong ENSO event, with equal chances (33 percent) for below, normal or above average precipitation in the Tahoe Sierra. (Precipitation is the combination of rain and water equivalent of snow.) The temperature outlook is slightly above normal for our neck of the woods. That benign perspective may reflect that some computer models are suggesting the strongest influences from this El Niño may develop in the latter months of winter into spring. Only time will tell. n Read more about Tahoe’s other recordbreaking winters in Mark McLaughlin’s book “Snowbound: Legendary Winters of the Tahoe Sierra” available at TheStormKing. com. Read his blog at TahoeNuggets.com or read more columns at YourTahoeGuide.com/ history.

SODA SPRINGS opened 1935

OPENS 11.24.23

Open. Thurs.-Mon.

% of terrain

skiable acres

200

# of trails

Events Dec. 8-April 5 (select dates) | Play Forever Fridays

Kids, Woodward Start Park and other activities. And it’s good every day all season with no blackout dates.

It’s a winter wonderland of kid-orientated fun at Soda Springs from the Planet Kids snow play area for ages 7 and younger featuring tubing carousals, tubing lanes, snow volcanoes to climb and more to the 10 tubing runs for the whole family to enjoy at Tube Town.

Unlimited Pass | Another of Soda Spring’s amazing deals is the Unlimited Pass priced at $289 for adults as of press time offers unlimited access and no blackout dates. Plus, enjoy two discounted Buddy Passes to a Woodward Bunker Day Session and one Boreal Go-Time Lift Ticket.

vertical feet

550

terrain parks

Mountain Adventure | Mountain Adventure includes access to everything kids will love – the kids tubing carousel, snow tubing, rides on the snow Jeep, kids’ ski/snowboarding learning zone, Woodward Start Park zone and the snow play area with snow volcanoes.

Complimentary rentals | Complimentary rental equipment (skis/snowboard/helmet) is available from the West Meadows Lodge at Planet Kids for guests with a shoe size 4 or below on a first-come, firstserved basis. n

Family Pass | One of the best deals around is Soda Springs’ Family Access with full access to the resort for two adults and two kids. The pass includes access to the lifts, Tube Town, Planet

sodasprings.com

12.8.222

Tahoe Donner Downhill

OPENS

opened 1939

OPENS 11.24.23

% of terrain

skiable acres

1,650 # of trails

103

vertical feet

1,500

terrain parks

Events TBA | Silver Belt Freeride event TBA | Banked Slalom TBA | Uphiller TBA | Tiki Pond Skim This season, Sugar Bowl is celebrating its 85th anniversary and was the first ski area in California to install a chairlift when it opened in December 1939. Sugar Bowl has invested in the on-mountain experience with new snow grooming and transportation equipment, a new ski racing speed venue, a new warming hut, along with retail and Lodge overhauls. The Dining Room will also be open for lunch and dinner this season. Sugar Rush | Don’t miss out this season on the region’s newest tubing area, which debuted in December 2022. The 10-lane tubing center is located off Judah Road and features a 400-foot magic carpet along with a snow play area. Open weekends and holiday periods.

Sugar Bowl expansion | Sugar Bowl is planning a large resort development that will see the new base area moved to Judah, according to president & CEO Bridget Legnavsky. The resort is hoping to break ground on the expansion in 2025, she said. Uphill access | The Uphill Travel Policy has been modified this season. Uphill travel is not permitted on Mt. Disney and Crow’s after 4 p.m. daily due to snowcat operations, including cat-winching. After 4 p.m., use approved routes on Mt. Lincoln or Mt. Judah only. Uphill travel requires a valid season pass or Uphill-Only Season Pass. No uphill day tickets will be available this season. Find travel route status and backcountry reports at sugarbowl.com/uphill n

sugarbowl.com

TAHOE DONNER DOWNHILL opened 1972

SUGAR BOWL SKI RESORT

Play Forever Fridays | Formerly known as Feel Good Fridays, enjoy $25 lift tickets with proceeds going to a nonprofit. Offered once a month from Dec. 8 through April 5.

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort

Soda Springs Mountain Resort

Nov. 15-Dec. 12 2023 | 2023 TAHOE DOWNHILL SKI GUIDE

Give the Gift of

XC opens Nov. 24

HOME DELIVERY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

% of terrain

skiable acres

120

# of trails

vertical feet

600

terrain parks

February

8-21, 2023

Tahoe &

Events Dec. 25 | Ski with Santa Dec. 31 | NYE Glowstick Parade & Fireworks TBA | Family Ski Challenge TBA | Dummy Downhill Tahoe Donner Downhill will expand its kids’ programs and senior race programs this season. The Tahoe Donner Association, which owns and operations the downhill ski area, is continuing plans to replace the lodge at the ski hill. The plan for the new lodge calls for a three-level, terraced structure that would

tahoedonner.com

include dining, rentals and guest services, staff locker rooms, restrooms and the ski school offices. It would also include a deck that would be located on the same level as the existing ski lifts. The building would be 24,490 square feet in size. The current lodge would be demolished and the new one would be built in its place. Tahoe Donner is hoping to begin work on the new lodge in spring 2024. Updates on the project are available at townoftruckee. com. n

winter cruisin g on big blu e TAHOE

original

guide since

1982

Cowork ing in Tah oe BEST SPOT

Glass OFFOR A Bubbly

SONGWRIT

Ben Full

Truckee’s

COACHING LEGE

Raymond ND de Vré Donner

Party

's Lewis Kes

Ghastly LIVE MUSIC

1 year | $45

EVENTS

Ghoul or

eberg Luckless

Emigrant

OUTDOORS & RECREA TION FOOD & WINE

ARTS & ENTERT AINMENT SIGHTSEEING VISITOR INFO

2 years | $80