Hello Skiers and Boarders,
It is a difficult time for skiers and boarders in the Tahoe Region. The truth is that skiing is very limited and we are almost all skiing on manmade snow. At Alpine Meadows lifts are serving just two runs and both trails merge into one. This creates a dangerous situation with the overcrowding that occurs over a holiday period. Even during a non-holiday period it just does not take many people to overcrowd the mountain.
Our neighbor, Palisades Tahoe, has somewhat better conditions because some of there lift served terrain is at a higher elevation. Shirley Lake, Gold Coast, Bailey’s Beach, and Belmont were open today. Even before today, skiers were allowed to hike up to Siberia Ridge and ski Siberia Bowl and areas below the Palisades. The number of lifts and somewhat expanded ski terrain should spread out skiers somewhat.
I opened the sliding door at my house to let in warm from the sun this afternoon. It was unseasonable warm until some clouds filtered into the area hiding the bright ball of fire. This morning there was not a cloud in the sky. It was beautiful, even though the skiing was not perfection.
This morning the ski surface was a consistent corduroy created by grooming machines. Rock Garden was really quite nice, but it did not take long for the soft surface to be pushed around and turn to a sugar consistency. Deep sugar snow will reach up and grab your edge throwing you around if you are not careful. Weasel was a little more firm for the first couple of runs, but it softened soon enough.
Today was better than yesterday. Yesterday, fog had settled in, removing visibility for most of us. I do not like skiing when I cannot see where I am going or flat light removes terrain features. Being bounced up and down when it looks flat is not my favorite slope condition. There is nothing like hitting a firm bump or dip when you do not expect it. Remember last year when we were digging out of the our houses and skiing in soft powdery snow that covered much of the mountain? At least we still have dreams.
I am not the weatherman for this blog, but looking at the forecast, I am not very optimistic for the rest of year. I see temperatures in the 40’s and cloudy skies, but nothing dropping out of them. Maybe the forecast will prove to be wrong or temperatures will drop so they can make snow.
Enjoy your day,
Andy
That pic at NAW Valley is of Mainline and Goldcoast Ridge above Goldcoast chair. I panned that webcam over to Siberia early this afternoon, and yes, Siberia Bowl was being skied from the top by hiking. Even more interesting is the Siberia chair was spinning full speed, but no customers on it. Maybe?
I keep thinking that ABC chair could open for experts only, with no grooming…it’s been done in the past, without a road cut over from the top of Summit. That would give experts a fun challenging area without having skiers continue to the bottom of the mountain on the WRODs.
Ah, skiing on man-made snow – at least we’re spared those holiday rates!
Thanks for the honest reports. Love them.
I upgraded all of the family passes to ski during blackouts. Mother Nature ignored this. Made parking res too.
Like washing the car I may have gone overboard and cursed it. Since family includes some young just learning grandkids I’m thinking it could be a disaster.
Pondering other activities for holiday visits! Casinos?
Should have bought that hike only pass, didn’t realize it gives you access to all the same “saved” snow/ terrain normally set aside for X mas/ holiday/ weekenders and others that didn’t prepay for their lift servicd skiing upfront
Thanks for the updates. I haven’t been over to Alpine or the other ski area yet. Been skiing Rose which is pretty good. The majority of the runs off NW and Lakeview chair are open now. Plenty of terrain to ski but only a few runs are groomed. Slide is still closed plus the chutes.
Base of Red Dog was hard packed icey. Snow boarder on his butt slid out of control right into me, knocked me down, and broke my femur. Stopped just long enough to know he hit me and I was on the ground screaming in pain, then rode off. WTF? Kudos to ski patrol and medics and Tahoe Forest Hospital for their kind, rapid and excellent care.
WTF indeed! Did that just happen yesterday? The hard packed icy snow and inexperienced skiers/overcrowded slopes is a scary mix. Hope you are healing well.
Absolutely shocking! Such reckless behavior on their part. Relieved to hear you received excellent care.