Lake Tahoe area ski and weather news: The Mountain Resort Report©

Good morning and Merry Christmas Eve Lake Tahoe skiers and riders! If you are visiting Lake Tahoe, welcome!

Today is Saturday, December 24.

MOTHER NATURE AND SANTA DELIVERED EARLY WITH FRESH SNOW REPORTED AT ALL RESORTS AND SHAPING UP TO BE GREAT CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY WEEKEND. GET OUT TODAY… HAVE FUN AND PATIENCE WITH HOLIDAY LINES… STAY ON OPENED RUNS ONLY AND BE SAFE!

TODAY’S WEATHER (NWS GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA): Expect Snow Showers with accumulation up to 3”. Highs: 23F to 28F. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 50 mph in the morning.

TONIGHT: Partly Cloudy with scattered snow showers in the evening, then Clear after midnight. Lows: -3F to 7F. Northwest winds to 10 mph in the evening becoming light.

CHRISTMAS SUNDAY: Sunny in the morning then becoming Partly Cloudy. Highs: 25F to 30F. Light Winds.

WHAT TO WEAR: Dress in Warm in layers with your Gore-Tex Jacket or outer Shell. Take a hat, beanie, neck-face gaiter and wear a Helmet for Safety. Also wear good yellow or rose tinted Goggles and warm gloves. Don’t forget to use Sunscreen & Chapstick when the sun is out and Stay Hydrated at altitude!

SURFACE CONDITIONS: Surface Conditions are Variable with a mixture of Powder over Machine Groomed & Skier-Rider Packed Snow and Some Areas of Firm Packed Snow.

SAFETY MESSAGE: Stay on designated Opened Trails only. Keep an eye out for marked and unmarked obstacles. Slow Down and observe safety signs on trails with high concentration of skiers and riders… Know the Code! Always stay in control. Be able to avoid objects and people in your Path! Please stop to side of the run where it is safe and always check uphill for skiers and riders before restarting down hill.
IF YOU VENTURE IN TO THE BACK COUNTRY “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!” For more info: http://sierraavalanchecenter.org

SOUTH SHORE LAKE TAHOE & SURROUNDING AREAS

*HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN RESORT: Is open, reporting 10” of new on a base of a base of 35-54”. 20 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (8:30-4) with 11 lifts in California including the Gondola, Aerial Tram & Gunbarrel Express, Canyon Express with Sky Express open to the top; And, 9 Lifts in Nevada with access from Stagecoach with Olympic, Comet & Dipper turning at the top. You can access NV from California via Sky Express. 74 Trails are open (31MG). Plus, Comet T-Park & EpicMix Racing Course open. (Powder, MG PP / 17F / Cldy / Lt-Mod Winds). Complimentary Shuttles running to all open base facilities. (Hwy 207: R2) Call Ahead for updates: 1-800-HEAVENLY / www.skiheavenly.com

*SIERRA AT TAHOE: (Hwy 50: R2) Is open reporting 11-15” of new on a base depth of 16-37”. 10 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (8:30-4) including Grandview Express & West Bowl. 38 trails are open (28MG), Plus Broadway, Upper Main & The Alley T-Parks. (Powder, MG & SKR PP / 16F / Cldy / Lt Winds). Blizzard Mtn. Open with Snow Tubing & Snow Play Areas open. Complimentary Shuttles are running from So Shore… For more info call: 530-659-7475 / www.sierraattahoe.com

*HOPE VALLEY OUTDOORS / CROSS COUNTRY: (Hwy 88/89: R2) Luther Pass – Pickett’s Junction:) Received Snow from this last storm… The Yurt will be open today (10-4) at Pickett’s Junction for XC, Snowshoe rentals with limited XC & Snowshoe trails available at Red Lake & Carson Pass areas. For more info call: 530-721-2015 / www.hopevalleyoutdoors.com

*KIRKWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 88: R2) is open reporting 12” of new on a base depth of 46-66”. 10 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) with Chairs #1, Chair #5, Chair #11, Chair #6 & Chair #10 open out of the Village. Plus, Chairs #2, #3 & #4 to the Back Side and Chairs #7 & Chair #9 open at Timer Creek Lodge. 86 runs are open (27MG). Outlaw & Bandit T-Parks open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 18F / Cldy / LtWinds). Kirkwood XC Center is also open with 30km of track in the Meadow & Schneider Camp Loop. Call Ahead for updates: 877-KIRKWOOD / www.kirkwood.com

NEVADA & EAST SHORE RESORTS

*DIAMOND PEAK: (Hwy 28: R1) Is open, reporting 10” of new on a base depth of 24-40”. 4 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4) including Lakeview & Crystal Express to the top, Lodgepole & Schoolhouse. 11 Runs are open (7MG), plus T-Park with 4 features (Powder, MG & SKR PP / 23F / Cldy / Lt Winds). For more info call: 775-831-1177 / www.diamondpeak.com

*MT. ROSE SKI TAHOE: (Hwy 431: R1) Is open and reports 10-14” of new on a base of 58”. 6 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) including Wizard, Galena, Flying Jenny. Plus, Northwest 6 & Blazing Zephyr opens at 8:30am on Slide Bowl Side for top to bottom skiing & riding. Chuter Lift & The Chutes remain closed. 51 runs are open (39MG). Pondo T-Park open with 5 features and Badlands Park open with 8 features. (Powder, MG & SKRPP/ Cldy / 15F / Lt Winds). Call Ahead for updates: 800-SKIROSE / www.mtrose.com

TRUCKEE AREA RESORTS

*NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA: (Hwy 267: R2) is open reporting 13” of new on a base depth of 18-37”. 18 Lifts are scheduled to operate (8:30-4) with Front Side, Back Side & Lookout Mtn open. 53 Runs are open (32MG). 2 T-Parks open with 55 features. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 14F / Cldy / Lt Winds). XC Center is open (9-4) with 3 trails = 3 km of groomed trails for snow shoeing. The Village Ice Rink is open 12-9pm. Call Ahead for updates: 530-562-1330 / www.northstarcalifornia.com

*TAHOE DONNER SKI AREA: is open and reports 10” of new on a base depth of 22-34”. 4 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 1 run open. (MGPP / Cldy / 20F / Lt Winds).

TAHOE DONNER XC: is open (10:30-4:30) offering 19 trails for XC Skiing & Snowshoeing (No fat tire biking or dogs allowed today). (Cldy / 20F / Lt Winds). No Dogs allowed today. For more info Call: 530-587-9484 / www.skitahoedonner.com

DONNER SUMMIT RESORTS

*BOREAL MOUNTAIN RESORT: (I-80: R2) Is open and reports 3” of new on a base depth of 40”. 5 Lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 49er Chair, Nugget Chair, Cedar Ridge & Castle Peak & Accelerator to the top open till 9:00pm. They have 20 runs open (7MG) & 4 T-Parks open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / Cldy / 21F / Lt Winds). 2 Lifts will operate till 9:00pm-WWP. Playland Tubing Park open (10-4). Woodward Tahoe training open daily. For more info: 530-426-3666 / www.rideboreal.com

*SODA SPRINGS WINTER RESORT: (I-80: R2 to Hwy 40: R2) Is open with 2” of new on a base of 30”. 1 Chair, Lion’s Head will operate (10-4) with 1 run open. Plus, Planet Kids… Lil’ Mamma’s Carpet, Planet Kids & Tube Carousel open as well as Tube Town will operate. (MG/ Cldy / 20F / Lt Winds). Call Ahead. 530-426-3901 www.skisodasprings.com

*ROYAL GORGE XC: (I-80: R2 to Hwy 40: R2) Is open (8:30-4). They report 18” of new snow and now have 19 Tracks open = 20Km of groomed trails (Lt Snow / 19F / Lt Winds). They are North America’s Largest Cross Country Skiing Resort offering 8 distinct Trail Systems, 9 different Warming Huts over 6000 Acres of terrain. 530-426-3871 / www.royalgorge.com

*SUGAR BOWL SKI RESORT: (I-80: R2 to Hwy 40: R2) Is Open! They report 11-18” of new on a base of 22-39”. 5 Lifts & Access Gondola are scheduled to turn (9-4) including Mt. Lincoln to the top, Disney, Christmas Tree & Nob Hill. 45 Runs are open (24MG). (Powder, MG & SKRPP / Lt Snow / 24F / Lt Winds). Access will be from the Judah Portal & Gondola. For more info: 530-426-1111 / www.sugarbowl.com

*DONNER SKI RANCH: (Hwy 40: R2) is open for the Holidays. They report 12” of new on a base of 18-28”. 6 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) Runs are being groomed out. Tubing Hill also open today. For more info: 530-426-3635 / www.donnerskiranch.com

WEST SHORE / NORTHLAKE TAHOE RESORTS

*HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 89: R2 / R1) is open and reports 6-12” of new on a base depth of 15-30”. 5 Lifts & tows will operate (9-4) with the Madden Chair & Old Homewood Express turning. 15 runs open (6MG) Escape T-Park rebuilding. (Powder, MG PP/ Cldy / 27F / Lt Winds). For more info: Guest services: 530-525-2992. Snow Phone: 530-525-2900 / www.skihomewood.com

*GRANLIBAKKEN RESORT: (Hwy 89: R1) Ski & Snowboard is open with t2 Tows and limited terrain on base of 6”. Their XC Trails, Sledding & Snow Play is open Daily. (9-4:30). (Cldy/ 20F / Lt Winds) Call Ahead: 530-581-7533 / www.granlibakken.com

*TAHOE XC CENTER: (Hwy 28: R1) reports receiving 8” of new snow. They are packing trails today a hope to be open with limited trails by noon, today. (Cldy / 20F / Lt Winds).

*TAHOE CITY WINTER SPORTS PARK: (Hwy 28: R1, Tahoe City) Will continue to be operated by Tahoe XC with TCPUD. XC Trails, Snow Play are open. The new Ice Rink is open, Sunday-Thursdays (12-9pm) Friday-Saturday (10am-10pm). For more info: 530-583-1516 / www.wintersportspark.com

*ALPINE MEADOWS: (Hwy 89: R1) Reports 16” of new on a base of 48”. 9 Lifts & Tows scheduled to operate (9-4) with Hot Wheels, Roundhouse, Alpine Bowl & Summit Six turning. 44 Runs are open (11MG). (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 17F / Lt Snow / Lt Winds). Squaw-Alpine Express Shuttle Running between resorts offered. For more info: 530-581-8374 / www.skialpine.com

*SQUAW VALLEY: (Hwy 89: R1) is open reporting 14” of new on a base of 52”. 24 Lifts & Tows are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 13 lifts from the lower mountain including Aerial Tram & The Funitel, Far East, Red Dog & Squaw Creek; Plus 5 tows in the SnoVentures- Squaw Kids Beginners Area open. 11 Lifts scheduled for the Upper Mountain, including Siberia, Granite Chief & Shirley Lake. Gold Coast Turning. 51 Trails open (28MG). Belmont & Gold Coast T-Parks open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 15F / Lt Snow / Lt Winds). For more info: 530-452-4335 / www.squaw.com

CENTRAL SIERRA RESORTS

*MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395: R1) Is open and reports 20-32” of new on a base ranging from 54-132”. 24 Lifts & Tows scheduled to operation (8:30-4), with 13 Lifts out of the Main Lodge, Plus, Village Gondola & 8 Lifts turning out of Canyon Lodge, and 3 Lifts out of Eagle Lodge. 153 Trails are open (78MG), Plus 5 Terrain Parks open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP / 11F / Cldy / Lt Winds). 888-766-9778 / www.mammothmountain.com

*JUNE MOUNTAIN: (Hwy 395: R1) Is open reporting 6-12” of new on a base of 8-42”. 6 Lifts are scheduled to operate (9-4). 24 trails open. (Powder, MG & SKRPP/ 20F / Cldy-Snow / Lt Winds). For more info call: 760-934-2224 / www.junemountain.com

YOSEMITE SKI & SNOWBOARD AREA: is scheduled to open conditions permitting. For more info Call: 209-372-1000 #5 / www.yosemitepark.com/dailysnowreport.aspx

DODGE RIDGE: (Hwy 108) Will open when conditions permit. They received 12” of snow from the last storm. Snow Phone: 209-536-5300 / www.dodgeridge.com

*BEAR VALLEY MOUNTAIN RESORT: (Hwy 4: R2) – (Ebbetts Pass Closed) Is open daily reporting 12” of new on a base depth of 30”. 6 Lifts & Tow are scheduled to operate (9-4) with 29 Trails open (20MG) + T-Park. (Powder, MG & SKR PP / Cldy / 13F / Lt Winds). For more info: 209-753-2301 #2 / www.bearvalley.com

*BEAR VALLEY XC CENTER: (Hwy 4: R2) Is Open and reports 15” of new on a base depth of 20-24”. 17 trails are open = 16km of groomed track & Skating lanes. Sledding & Tubing Areas are open today (9-4). (Cldy/ 14F / Lt Winds). For more info: 209-753-2834 / www.bearvalleyxc.com

**CONDITIONS REPORTED AS OF 8:00AM AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO WIND AND WEATHER.
CURENT ROAD CONDITIONS:
R1= Chains or Snow Tires Required: Hwy 50-Spooner Summit, Hwy 28 East Shore & North Shore, Hwy 431 Mt Rose, Hwy 89 Homewood to TC, Hwy 89 TC to TRKE, Hwy 267 KB to TRKE
R2= Chains Mandatory with exception of 4WD with 4 Snow Tires: I-80 Donner Summit, Hwy 50 Echo Summit, Hwy 89/88 Meyers to Picketts, Hwy 88 Woodford Carson Pass / Spur
All OTHER Roadways in and around Lake Tahoe are open and Free of Controls-Carry Tire Chains. Call Ahead for updates. Or log on to www.nvroads.com
Buckle Up and Drive Safely… Always Carry Tire Chains unless you drive a 4WD or AWD Vehicle with Snow Tires. You can call 5-11 for updates or directly to both Caltrans and NDOT or source updated information at their websites.
CALIFORNIA: 800-427-7623 / www.dot.ca.gov
NEVADA: 877-NV-ROADS or 5-1-1 / www.nvroads.com

For more on skiing and biking Lake Tahoe, visit www.bikeandskitahoe.com.