We’re briefly dipping a toe into winter this week in Tahoe and it feels great. I am sitting here in my living room this morning with the fireplace flickering flames and a chilly 31° degrees outside. Looking out my window, I can see what amounts to more than a dusting of snow on Mount Rose. I even managed to take a little slip on a frozen puddle when I walked outside this morning.

Like many ski aficionados, I spent a good part of the last 24 hours glued to mountain webcams looking for signs of snow. My neighborhood let out a small cheer when the first flakes of snow started falling in the lower elevations of Truckee, even though none of it stuck. This little storm over performed a bit, offering more than just a dusting of snow and snow levels that were lower than forecast. Hopefully this is a sign of what is to come this winter.

Checking the social media feeds and webcams this morning, there’s a thin coating of snow at the ski areas down to the base areas. Two ski areas were making snow this morning, both Palisades Tahoe and Mount Rose firing up snow guns. It always gives me the shivers the first time I see that each fall. With temperatures as cold as they are today, that snowmaking is fairly productive. Unfortunately, the snow made today will likely not last long. Chalk up this round of snowmaking to system testing, staff training and marketing.

We remain in winter chill mode for the next 24 hours, but then we get back to temperatures that will be pleasant for bike rides, but not all that conducive to snow making. Next week, overnight lows are expected in the mid to upper 30’s at the ski areas. While it’s possible to make snow at those temperatures, it’s not very productive. With sunny skies in the forecast and day time temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s, new snow has a short lifespan. We are looking for a longer span of cold weather. Hopefully it arrives soon.

Also, I was wrong. There was enough snow for some people to make the first turns f the season in Tahoe. I saw several Instaposts yesterday of people making cautious turns in a few inches of snow. Here’s one sample from an acquaintance Court:

I did get out for a quick bike ride yesterday between showers. The trails are no longer dry and dusty. It was a bit sloppy yesterday but brown powder conditions should be the name of the game for at least a few days. I am anxious to ski but when the biking is very good, I will take that too.

❄️ Think Snow ❄️