The snow levels have finally dropped, allowing for some natural snow to fall at the resort levels. As I started collecting information and photos for this post, my intention was to post a poll letting you vote on which mountain would be first to open. In recent years, the only two contenders are Mammoth Mountain and Mount Rose. Both of these mountains benefit from being at a higher elevation and having a ski culture mindset that has always valued early season openings.
Before I had typed a word, Mammoth Mountain spoiled the fun by announcing an opening date of Thursday, November 20th. Their ski report says that they have received 4-8 inches of snow in the last 24 hours. They already had a starter base above the McCoy Station on the upper mountain. Cold temperatures over the next two days should allow for nearly 24 hour snowmaking the next two days. Also, the brunt of these storms has been carrying most of the energy to the southern Sierra. Here’s the view of Broadway this afternoon, the main run off of Chair 1:
It’s looking far more winter like than last week at this time. Still, there is a lot of work to be done. My best guess is that most of the skiing and riding will focus on Chair 3, with just a WROD down to the main lodge. No official announcements have been made regarding terrain. There will be beanies for the first 100 in line as well as the usual party emphasis. I don’t mind missing that.
Tuesday Update: Mammoth now reporting 18-32 inches since Sunday which is great and should lead to expanded coverage on opening day. Guesses now include Chairs 1, 2, 3 and at the top of the gondola.
Mount Rose reports only 2-3 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours, with 4-8 inches from this storm cycle. They have a ways to go to meet the “12-14 inches of packed base” base they want before opening. The cat track to Kit Carson and the upper part of KC Bowl are looking better. But the Ponderosa flats are still looking real thin. I’m surprised that they are not blowing snow today, as temperatures seem conducive even this afternoon.
Evening Update: Snow guns active at Mount Rose
Things are definitely looking better today. Mount Rose has already been at this point a couple of times in the last month, only to have temperatures warm again, melting the Ponderosa zone and base area. Hopefully things will stay cold enough to allow for some serious snow making effort. Could they also be ready for Thursday to tie Mammoth Mountain? Well that is the $64 question.
Then there’s Alpine Meadows, with an announced opening date being just 10 days away. The view of Weasel this afternoon looks better than it has yet this fall.
Evening Update: No activity at Alpine Meadows at 6:30 ….but at 9pm snowmaking was happening on Weasel 💙
They could make it. There was a huge investment in snowmaking upgrades this summer, in particular the three new compressors at the base area that will power that snowmaking. Reportedly this will vastly improve the ability to make snow at Alpine Meadows. The upcoming 10 days will be a test of how well that all works out. I hope we see things firing by tomorrow morning.
Tuesday Update: There’s been some waffling between the 26th and the 27th for opening dates in the last few months. The email sent today does say the 26th for opening day, next Wednesday. There is no commitment yet to what will be open. As per normal those words we don’t like to hear were used: weather and conditions permitting.
There’s nothing big in the pipeline right now for natural snowfall in any big sense. The current low continues to drift southward, allowing for some wraparound snow showers tomorrow. Then another weak system comes in on Thursday, bringing the potential for another 4-6 inches of new snow. After that, we seem to get into a drier slot heading into the weekend and next week. Overnights should still be conducive to snow making.
Light snow was falling in Truckee this afternoon. Because I put out or driveway markers yesterday, none of it has stuck yet. I’m sorry for jinxing it. I still haven’t started the snowblower since April. You think that would be sufficient cause to bring in a big storm.
Guns N’ Roses … can’t wait for skiing hopefully later this week.
What? But the weather-hype had us getting 10-12 ft!! Or was it 1-2ft? 🤔
More like 1-2” 😢
Sierra ski areas used to laugh at banana belt eastern areas(MD PA VA) that use snowmaking for up to 100% of their snow. Not anymore ! They all have snowmaking,even Mammoth.
Mammoth was bare last weekend and postponed that opening. They got decent snow up top and open this Thursday! As you say likely one WROD on snowmaking from top of lift 3 to main lodge only. I was going to guess this weekend but they bumped it up a day or two.
11:00pm report. just drove over 431, snow level on the reno side was down to about Thomas Creek Rd ~5000′
At galena creek there was 2-3″
At sky tavern there was 4-6″
At rose parking ~8-12″
At rose summit ~12-14″
The craziest part, by the time i got to the 8000′ sign on the incline side, there was only about 2″, with just a trace below 7000′.
Really weird snowfall patterns.
Rose had all guns going from top of LV lift down KC bowl to the base area. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are open this weekend.
Oh nice report. I think we’re getting to that wrap around part of the system with snow coming from the east. Rose really benefits from that pattern. See you there ASAP. I think I heard a sneeze in your comment and I recommend a trip to Dr White.
Can anyone else access the Mammoth app? Mine now has zero functionality and forces me to use the Ikon app, pretty jackass of Alterra to intentionally destroy the app.