Ski season is officially here: Several of Tahoe’s biggest ski resorts are opening this weekend after a massive winter storm dumped snow on the Sierras earlier in the week.
Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar, all owned by Vail Resorts and included in the Epic Pass, announced on social media on Thursday they plan to open Nov. 12—a week earlier than originally expected and before most resorts normally open for the winter season in Tahoe, depending on early-season snowfall. Mt. Rose and Boreal also plan to open on Friday for the holiday weekend.
Palisades Tahoe, which includes Alpine Meadows and Olympic Valley on the Ikon Pass, is aiming to open Nov. 18 complete with a shiny new gondola connecting the two mountains. Mammoth Mountain near Yosemite, also on the Ikon Pass, opened last week.
The quicker-than-expected openings follow a huge snow storm this week that dumped several feet of fresh powder atop the resorts—which bodes well for the coming season, despite the La Niña weather pattern expected this winter.
More flurries may materialize this weekend in South Lake Tahoe and Truckee as lows dip below freezing overnight.