It’s beginning to feel a lot like the “home stretch” at Alpine Meadows. More snow is melting by the day, and because of that, the available terrain for skiing and riding is diminishing. Yesterday was the last day for High Traverse, Sherwood and Scott. So we are now confined to the Summit, Roundhouse and Hot Wheels zones, which made today feel crowded.
It seems like a lot of people got the memo that this season is ending sooner than we thought. Or maybe they got all of the marketing emails about coming out with your crew to get a goggle tan and wear furry costumes, and then did so. Either way, there were a lot of people on the mountain today. Free reservations for parking were sold out at the northern annex, so that probably sent some overflow to Alpine Meadows. The upper lots were about 90% full when I left just before 2pm.
That’s not all that many people, it’s just that 98% of them were only skiing the groomed runs. Often they were skiing and riding way above their ability in the groomed runs that quickly turned to mogully mashed potatoes. The groomed runs were insane at times. I solved that by basically skiing the groomers as little as possible. There are a lot of different routes down just Roundhouse, selected for its much shorter line.
Theoretically Sunday should be slightly less busy. Free reservations for parking are available on both sides. Also, without a crowd for Broken Compass Bluegrass, things may be less busy. I caught the soundcheck today but had a lot to do this afternoon.
Alpine Meadows Events Updates
The powers that be are quietly saying that this season won’t last all that long. I noted this morning that the annual Snow Golf Tourney at Alpine Meadows has been moved from April 18th to March 22nd. It’s a great event that is a lot of fun, but it also has been insanely crowded once people at the northern annex adopted it as their own. I’ll be skipping golf to check out the big Bobo’s ski demo day at Mount Rose on the 22nd. It will be my first time back at Rose since the Alpine Meadows season started.
I’ve always said that we need some new Alpine Meadows specific events. This year seems to be the year of the Chalet party. After a successful 50th anniversary party last season, we had a repeat 51st anniversary party this year. Then a month later, another very similar party was scheduled, but with a different beer vendor (that was a no show). So what’s on the agenda now? More Chalet parties of course, on Saturday March 21st and 28th from 4:30 til 7:30.
Alpenglow Apres Party
First off, the Chalet will not look anything like that. Maybe there will be a small amount of snow by the 28th. The event is 21+ and costs $50 plus tax and gratuity. Yikes! Participants will walk to The Chalet from the main lodge for the included food and an opportunity to buy more drinks. This is NOT a skiing event. The running joke today was that with an early closing, they need to find someway to get rid of a lot of pretzel bites! I will not be jumping to participate, and a “live DJ” is more of an anti-incentive. Bring on a polka band.
A Different Way To Do Things
Across the lake, at one of the best non-corporate ski areas in Tahoe, they went a different route.
Paying to participate is not mandatory. Reports are that the drinks and snacks are also reasonably priced. It’s an event that is about making skiers and riders happy, not just another event to capture wallets. I happened to drive past Mount Rose about 5:45pm last night and the parking lot at the main lodge was just about full. Yes, there have been a couple of instances of running a couple of lifts late, but that has been all about trying to keep traffic moving, more than keeping us happy.
Yeah, yeah, yeah…someone will tell me I should just go to Mount Rose all of the time. I love this mountain at Alpine Meadows, and maybe the old vibe will return some day.
Still Snow Out There…Not Enough
Checking the models today, there is snow in the forecast again. It was there on Thursday, it was mostly gone Friday. It’s back today. Here’s a GIF of the last 6 model runs for total snowfall over 16 days.
Most of that snow is still out in Fantasyland and 8-10″ is not enough to really change anything. But cooler may be better.
Closing Dates Are Starting To Appear
Ski areas to our north and down in Southern California have already thrown in the towel for the season due to a lack of snow. Locally, some Tahoe resorts have started announcing closing dates. Homewood moved up their closing date to March 22nd. Geez, I heard about another being moved up…who was that?
For Alpine Meadows, nothing official has been mentioned. Unofficial sources have said Easter weekend is the likely final weekend with a stretch goal of April 12th. We have some warm days and nights ahead, and that makes us ski freaks worried. Get it while you can…
Mark. I read the gobiley gook annex propaganda same as you. From playwrights . SQUAWLYWOOD indeed.
Like this? https://youtu.be/j11MOncimNQ?si=LKrezf7KAdJlzcxt
Yes!
FWIW, Arizona Snowbowl predicts closing on May 24. That’s “May,” not “Mar.” Sounds like fantasyland to me. The NWS forecast for mid-mountain (elev. 10,856’) is much like the forecast for AM that you publish above, including night temperatures above freezing in the early part of the period, and temperatures to the mid- to high 60s with lows in the 40s later on. The resort’s web-based ticket calendar shows availability to April 4. That’s probably more realistic. Weekday ticket prices if you buy now range from $14-$26 during the final two weeks.
Last day at Dodge Ridge is tomorrow!
How am I supposed to eat fifty bucks worth of pretzel bites and cheese?
Can confirm that Rose has been drawing a big crowd every Fri/Sat afternoon.
They really expanded it this year adding Northwest to the schedule and it’s just been a smart move.
It’s weird, a ski resort expands the opportunity for skiing, and it draws bigger crowds that purchase more food and drink?! Who could have guessed!? Certainly not the powers that decided on all those incredible ‘perks’ that come with the IKON pass. Who cares about skiing when they’re offering 10% off on a $1500/night hotel room!!!