@activenorcal: After a winter that barely showed up, Tahoe's ski resorts are circling opening days with the kind of optimism only a strong El Niño forecast can buy. All the Tahoe-Truckee resorts have been talking abou the potential of an above-average snow year, and the local ski community is buzzing. Heavenly, Northstar and Mt. Rose are all targeting November 20, Palisades Tahoe is aiming for November 25, the day before Thanksgiving, and Boreal has pointed to November 27. Kirkwood, south of the basin, plans to open December 4, and every date depends on conditions. Sierra-at-Tahoe is celebrating its 80th anniversary with throwback parties and events all season. Kirkwood is launching Mini Rippers Mondays, a weekly program that builds all-mountain skills for kids ages 3 and 4, while Northstar's ski school will offer group lessons for Mandarin-speaking guests on three Saturdays in January, February and March. Heavenly is refreshing its menus and adding DJ sets. The excitement traces back to NOAA's El Niño declaration in June and forecasts pointing toward a potentially very strong event, the kind that has historically produced big Sierra winters. The San Francisco Chronicle noted that dry, warm weather forced most Tahoe resorts to delay openings last season, and an unusually warm March shut some down months early. El Niño is no guarantee of a deep snowpack in the Sierra, and some strong events have brought more rain than snow at lake level. Still, lodging fills fast in a hyped winter, so booking before the first storm makes sense for anyone eyeing Thanksgiving turns.

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Wednesday 07 October 2026 02:15:24 GMT