Lake Tahoe skiing: Amid record snow, Squaw to stay open through July 4
TAHOE-TRUCKEE — Ski resorts across the Lake Tahoe region are already making spring and summer plans — and for the latter, that may still include skiing on a day traditionally reserved for fireworks and barbecues.
“With a base snowpack of 21 feet, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will be spinning lifts well into June and plans to offer skiing and riding on the 4th of July with as many lifts as possible, weather and conditions permitting,” the ski resort in Olympic Valley announced in a statement Wednesday.
According to the statement, the resort (like many in the Tahoe region) had received more than seven feet of new snow since Feb. 17, bringing the season total to 565 inches, or 47 feet.
“Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has already surpassed its annual average snowfall of 450 inches by 115 inches, with months left to go in the season,” officials said. “After topping its 45-year historic record for snowfall in a single month with 282 inches in January, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows has received nearly 15 feet in February (as of Feb. 22).”
Also as of Feb. 22, the resort reported it had amassed 126 percent of its average annual snowfall, 63 percent of which fell in January alone.
Meanwhile, Vail Resorts on Wednesday announced that its Tahoe properties — Heavenly and Kirkwood on the south end of Lake Tahoe and Northstar California on the north end — will stay open until mid and late April.
Heavenly will stay open daily through April 23, as well as the weekend of April 28-30, according to a press release. Kirkwood will remain open through April 16, while Northstar will stay open until April 23.
All three resorts have experienced the snowiest winter on record, with a current season total measuring more than 40 feet.
While other resorts have yet to declare expected closing dates, the snow depth story is the same across the region.
At Homewood, for example, the West Shore resort recorded more than 5.5 feet of snow as of Wednesday morning, boasting a 201-inch at the summit and 95 inches at the base.
As for Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, the ski area between Incline Village and Reno reported Wednesday it had received 636 inches (53 feet) of snow this season — smashing the resort’s past record of 600 inches in the 1994/95 season.
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