As I write this I am looking out into a white abyss. Is this a dream? Am I entering the white tunnel to heaven? Quite possibly so.
I decided to fly into Tahoe a few days early when I saw the set of storms rolling in this week. And luckily I did. The main highway to and from Tahoe has been closed on and off for days. It's been snowing relentlessly since I arrived Monday evening and doesn't look to be stopping anytime in the near future. Everyone here can't believe it. Even people who have lived here for decades are saying it's the most snow consistently that they've seen since '92.
The looong road to Tahoe...Highway 80
Upper mountain at Squaw hit an overnight total of 45 inches last night, breaking the record as the number one resort in North America with over 600 inches (that's over 50 feet and counting). But, the thing is it's still snowing. Never in my life have I witnessed this much snow, and who knows if I will ever again. Yesterday, Squaw was on wind-hold during most of the day with only a few lifts running. For the most part, the wind wasn't even a factor, ski patrol just couldn't dig out underneath of the lifts fast enough. The park crew and groomers have been informed that their new job is to dig out the lifts. Who knows when and if a park will be built anytime soon. It was snowing so fast yesterday(about 4 inches per hour) that the "groomed" runs were powder fields. On some runs the chairs were literally feet away from people riding below them. When I got off at the top of Red Dog next to KT-22 that had just closed, I had to suck up my knees almost to my chest to get off. The snow is close to hitting the bottom of the chairs.
Avi danger is also at an all-time high. None of the resorts have been able to avalanche control as quickly as they'd like. Several avalanches have been reported. On Mt. Rose highway last weekend one hit the road taking out a few cars. Tahoe City local, Brendon Drury was in the backcountry on Tuesday, the only day there was a break in storms this week, and got completely buried. His friends thankfully reacted quickly pulling him to safety. The backcountry is honestly a no-go right now. It's just honestly a dumb idea. Once the snow does let up though, it's looking like the backcountry will be epic well into July.
Two and three story houses in Tahoe Donner, up from Truckee resemble one story A-Frames. There are walls of snow up to a good 40 feet in some places. There is literally nowhere to put the snow. Snow plow workers are pushing snow 'round the clock, just making bigger walls, really. They have been doing a great job keeping the roads reasonably clear though. Just driving around is a sight to see. It's mind-blowing. Everywhere you look there are buried cars, tunnels to people's houses and driveways, and mounds and mounds of snow.
If you are lucky enough to be here though and are able to get out of your driveway to the mountains, you are probably experiencing some of the best resort riding of your life. It has been absolutely amazing. Everyone hates on Northstar for being flat and "too deep" on powder days, but I had two amazing days in a row. The deepest snow I've ever rode at Northstar, and best tree riding of the year. The beauty of it was that is didn't matter if you were on first chair or there in the afternoon because tracks were getting filled in so quickly. Northstar's superpipe is practically flat. The Burton Stash park is completely buried.
Needless to say, this La Nina season in the Sierra's has been one for the history books. And it's not over yet. A lot of people who had planned on going to AK are pulling out since there is no reason to leave. The pros are bunkering down, just waiting for the weather to clear so they hit the backcountry. One thing is true, there will be no shortage of footage or shots from Tahoe this year. As I sit here and the snow continues to fall, I am grateful I get to experience this craziness for myself. Alright enough talk, time to shred…but I better get to shoveling first.
Current Resort Totals as of March 25
(These are estimates and may not be properly updated)
Squaw Valley
Base: 430"
Summit: 670"
www.squaw.com
Alpine
Base: 193"
Summit: 310"
www.skialpine.com
Homewood
Base: 147"
Summit: 262"
www.skihomewood.com
Northstar
Base: 142"
Summit: 241"
www.northstarattahoe.com
Boreal
Base: 275"
Summit: 375"
www.skiboreal.com
Sugar Bowl
Base: 154"
Summit: 287"
www.sugarbowl.com
Mt. Rose
Base: 142"
Summit: 210"
www.mtrose.com
Sierra
Base: 125"
Summit: 244"
www.sierraattahoe.com
Heavenly
Base: 176"
Summit: 488"
www.skiheavenly.com
Kirkwood
Base: 269"
Summit: 670"
www.kirkwood.com
