Mother Nature, my cruel mistress, will bring us yet another round of winter, or as NOAA put it “Second Winter”, this weekend and into next week. Yes, many of us were wishing that we could get more storms as we endured a snowless February. Unfortunately, they are arriving when we cannot should not take advantage of it by going skiing in the backcountry. More on that later… For now, the rest of us can just know that, at least in theory, we will be delaying the start of wildfire season.
As of now, the Sacramento office of NOAA has called for 24-30 inches of snow at Donner Summit by Monday. Those numbers have been creeping upwards of late, so it bears watching. For those of us that have been staying home, it just means that bikes will be returned to the garage, and boots will come back out of the closet. Snow levels are expected to drop as low as 3500 feet by Monday as well, which is a cold storm for April.
Although we did receive a large amount of snow in March, it was hardly enough to qualify as a “March Miracle”. The official total recorded snowfall at Alpine Meadows in March was 122 inches, compared to a 48 year average of 72 inches. While that is impressive, the seasonal total still sits at only 71% of average. Looking at April, if this storm comes in at 36 inches, we would pretty much be at the monthly average of 37 inches…by April 6th, with 24 days left in April.
The chances that any Tahoe ski area will reopen this season for skiing? Slim, and none, and Slim just left town, to quote Muhammad Ali. Just being realistic here, Governor Newsom asked this week that California schools remain closed for the remainder of the school year, which means June for most schools. Nobody is expecting any miracles here.
Yet, people are still skiing. I’ve seen the pictures on social media, and my friends keep calling me out for not hitting up the backcountry. There’s definitely some people hitting some of the fringes of inbounds terrain at Alpine Meadows and other local resorts. That has caused varying responses, from increased signage, to increased patrols and security, especially at resort access points.
There’s also been some widely publicized incidents where people enjoying skiing and snowboarding at closed resorts or in the backcountry have required somewhat extensive rescues due to injuries or avalanches. For starters, I’ve read about incidents at Heavenly, Telluride and Wyoming in the last two weeks. Outside Online covered the issue recently. Tahoe Nordic Search And Rescue also issued a statement last week asking people to consider the impacts to others before heading into the backcountry.
It’s definitely a touchy subject. While most of my friends are perfectly capable of going out and “getting it”, there’s a whole herd of people that are now hustling to get into the sport. There’s been a big call to not post your turns on social media, but it really goes beyond that. Jerry can see your tracks as he cruises down the highway or ski area parking lots. He sees all of those cars parked along Highway 89 and Highway 431. He salivates every time he passes a snowmobile on the back of your truck. Jerry’s buddy heard from a friend that there’s easy to find knee deep powder all over Tahoe. Jerry is the problem, and he doesn’t even know it.
Both Placer and Nevada counties have issued orders limiting hotel rentals and STR’s to only those deemed to be a necessity due to the COVID crisis. Placer County extended that request, saying that second home owners should not come to their second home to ride things out, and instead should remain in the area of their primary residence.
So we’re going to continue just staying at home, except for those dog walks and bike rides every day, and restocking the pantry about once a week. Someday it will end. The sooner more of us just stay home, the sooner the curve will flatten even more and some restrictions can be lifted, hopefully in time to get out and enjoy some time on bike trails, the beach or the lakes.
We’ve been seeing questions posted online this week regarding renewals of the Ikon Pass. Previously, all advertising said that the best prices on renewals would be through April 22nd. That date is rapidly approaching, uncomfortably so for the newly unemployed. Just taking a quick run through the Ikon Pass website, there is no longer any mention of a price increase after April 22nd. That’s not an official answer, but maybe someone will get the official word out soon. Yeah, next season is already on my mind…
I agree Jerry May be an issue but as a second home owner I take issue with, “Stay in your primary residence” from a community that has a banner stating we Are in this together. I split my time between a down the hill area and Alpine Meadows. Have be doing it for 25 years. I pay taxes for the infrastructure that exists in Placer county. I will decide for myself where I shelter in place as well as if I can be self sufficient and safe in the back country.
Translation: I’m a selfish prick and no one will tell me what to do.
As a local registered nurse, resort skier, backcountry skier, and lover of all things snow, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your thoughtful and sacrificial stance on “getting the goods” right now. Please, Unofficial readers, don’t clog our emergency rooms with unnecessary orthopedic injuries because of your overwhelming need to lay some fresh tracks. This will eventually let up and soon enough this will be behind us and we will be hootin’ and hollarin’ through the trees in satiny pow.
We are all suffering in some way from this COVID lockdown, some more than others. Please consider the bigger picture.
Thanks Mark.
Mark, thank you for your sensible comments on skiing backcountry. It is very tempting, particularly after seeing some of the photos on Unofficial Mt Rose, but knowing that you are putting others at risk has to be weighed into the equation. And no matter how experienced a skier you are, there is always the unpredictable…an aging knee, unpredictable snow, etc. We are all in this together.
Yes… it makes me sad/angry/frustrated/disappointed when people publicly flaunt behaviors that are on the fringe of what is safe for the public as a whole. I could give a shit if some skier snaps a leg right now, but I do care when that person puts search and rescue teams, EMS crews, and our ER staff at risk in a system that is already so so so vulnerable during this pandemic. Plus, the smaller hospitals in the Basin are particularly vulnerable. Just stay the F at home and when you do go out for fresh air, drop it down about 10 notches. This isn’t the time for skinning and skiing the Chutes, even if Mount Rose and Nevada is your home.
Please people: Do your part so us in the medical field can do our part.