California Mountain Report

My Inbox is Overloaded with Dump Alerts

Webmaster — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 20:43:47 +0000

Records are being broken as we speak, I’m pretty certain that December 2010 is the snowiest in the history of California. Mammoth is reporting 9 – 13 feet for this storm total and24 inches in the last hour.

Up at Sierra at Tahoe, they’re reporting 18 inches in the last 24 hours with a storm total of over 5 feet. Sugar Bowl and most other resorts are all reporting about the same.

Hands down! This is one of the best winters I can remember in quite some time. Thank You La Nina.

Happy Holidays everyone…. it’s definitely a white Christmas in the Sierra. Drive safe, carry chains and maybe some extra food and blankets while you travel though the mountains.

When Will Your Favorite Mountain Resort Open

Webmaster — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 16:28:16 +0000

As the snow flies only a handful of California mountain resorts are currently open. Here is a quick breakdown of who’s currently operating as well as list tentative opening dates for those resorts that are still closed.

North Lake Tahoe

Sugar Bowl: Tentative open date is November 24, 2010
Boreal Ridge: Open from top bottom 9am to 9pm
Alpine Meadows: Tentative open date is December 10, 2010
Squaw Valley: Open 9am – 4pm. 4 lifts running on Lower Mtn.
Northstar-at-Tahoe: Open with 5 lifts and 6 trails.

South Lake Tahoe

Sierra at Tahoe: Tentative open date is November 25, 2010
Kirkwood: Tentative open date is November 24, 2010
Heavenly: Open with 3 lifts and 3 trails open

Central California

Bear Valley: Tentative open date… any day now!
MammothOpen

Southern California

Mt Baldy: Tentative open date is November 25, 2010
Snow Summit: Open with 2 lifts and 2 trails open

La Nina Drops 2 Plus Feet in the Sierra

Webmaster — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 21:38:16 +0000

Tahoe area ski resorts and Mammoth Lakes are reporting 2 plus feet of beautiful, light and fluffy white stuff. Many resorts already have a nice early season base thanks to a few small storms in the past weeks on top of making snow when conditions are favorable.

This storm system will hopefully help some resorts open a few weeks earlier than expected. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tahoe wasn’t completely open by Thanksgiving because above and beyond the 2 feet we’ve already received,weather forecasts are expecting an additional 2 -3 feet of POW in the next 24 hrs.

Currently chains are required chains over the mountain passes. Chain ups are listed at Baxter on I-80 and and Twin Bridges in the Hwy 50 corridor. For up to the minute info call CA Road Info 1-800.427.7623 or visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi.

Drive safe, have fun and enjoy the powder. Thanks for the snow dances and La Nina… Winter is Finally Here.

California Mountain Resorts Opening Soon

Webmaster — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:17:54 +0000

Snow is falling in the Sierra and overnight temps have allowed for snow making these last few nights. Boreal Mtn, is racing again as usual to be the first resort open… they are tentatively shooting for a this Friday Oct 29, 2010.

Mammoth is hooking a huge season kickoff weekend November 11-14 with a world premier showing of “Another Day in Paradise” a snowboard movie filmed in and around Mammoth. They’ve also got live music from “The Sounds” plus a ton more.

Many resorts haven’t announced an opening day as they are awaiting to see the snow pile up first. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming winter events and announcements.

First Snow of 2010 -2011 Season

Webmaster — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 06:32:08 +0000

I just received my first snow alert for the 2010 / 2011 Winter Season. Sierra at Tahoe reported an inch at base and couple up top. Overnight lows could allow for snow making over the next few days but warming slightly with rain at lake level later in the week which could add some inches at the higher elevations.

No matter which way you look at it ski and snowboard season is right around the corner. Looking forward to an excellent season with favorable La Nina predictions already surfacing in conversation.

Dump Alert – January 19, 2010

Webmaster — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:45:07 +0000

Yeah BABY.. the first major Dump Alert of 2010 and its a good one. Low temps equals light fluffy snow and tons of it. Check the stats for you’re favorite mountain…

Sugar Bowl: 12″-18″
Boreal: 24″-26″ (32″ storm total)
Alpine Meadows: 22″ (32″ storm total)
Northstar-at-Tahoe: 22″
Squaw Valley: 12″
Sierra At Tahoe: 24″ (37″ storm total)
Kirkwood: 18″-24″ (28″ storm total)
Heavenly: 12″
Bear Valley: 9″
Mammoth: 24″

Todays forecast is calling for another 12 to 18 inches is in the Sierra Nevada and even more snow throughout the week. Get it while its good. And remember to drive safe, carry chains and give yourself a little extra time to get where you’re going.

Worried about getting snowed in? Check out Hotels.com for some great deals on hotels before you head to the mountain.

Fresh Snow to Ring in the New Year!

Webmaster — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:07:14 +0000

Happy New Year everyone. My apologies for not firing up the blog sooner, but this is still a hobby blog for me and work comes first.

Was just doing a little poke checking and conditions are nice. Decent coverage with some fresh snow to ring in the new year. Its a warm storm but those are good too as they add good water content to be used later on in the year.

Kirkwood is reporting about 6inches in the last 24 hours as well as a few inches at Sierra. On the other side of the lake Squaw and Alpine meadows are reporting about 4 inches and sugar bowl around a foot. Mammoth is reporting 7 inches.

Happy New Year!

Another Winter Season is On It’s Way

Webmaster — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:00:39 +0000

I can’t believe it’s mid-October already; the snow has already started to fall and California resorts are opening.

Word on the street is Mammoth got a huge dump of 14 inches a few days ago and are planning to open on Friday.

And just when I was going to open my mouth and say sorry Boreal you weren’t first this year… I went to check their site only to learn that Boreal actually opened up last weekend for 3 days of skiing and snowboarding. This is Boreal’s earliest open to-date. Their operations are stated as tentative for weekends (Fri, Sat, Sun) conditions permitting.

More California mountain news… El Nino 2010 Baby! According to a link I found via Sierra at Tahoe to some weather and science site, El Nino conditions (currents and temperatures) are present in the Pacific Ocean indicating that we have the potential makings for an El Nino Winter. So what does that mean… precipitation and lots of it.

The California water situation is in pretty bad shape after 3 below average winters. An El Nino winter could be huge.. countless powder days and replenished reservoirs and some highwater rafting come spring time.

Get ready folks cuz it’s about time to fire this blog back up for the winter. Make sure you grab the feed to stay up to date.

Fall Is In The Air

Webmaster — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:01:37 +0000

Labor Day is passed and the halloween decorations are hitting the stores… only means that summer season is winding down and the wait for fresh powder is almost over.

I’ve already been hearing rumors of an el nino winter. I need to dig and do a little research to see if there is any validity to those statements.

I’m looking forward winter, it seems like ages since I strapped into my board. Until then.. I’m on my mountain bike cranking out as much single track as I can.

Fire Restrictions on Middle & North Fork American

Webmaster — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:11:38 +0000

This notice just came across my desk from California State Parks regarding a fire ban on the Middle Fork and North Fork of the American River.

Please be advised that until further notice no campfires will be allowed in the Middle or North Fork American River canyon as of today. However, as with prior summer season fire danger restrictions, gas camp stoves will continue to be allowed unless further advised.

Please use extreme caution with any open flame. Remember to keep the stove at least 10 feet away from any flammable materials and vegetation. If you have any questions, please contact me or Bill Deitchman at bdeit@parks.ca.gov or (530) 823-4164.

Thank you,

Kris

Kris Dey
Whitewater Recreation Office
CA State Parks – Auburn SRA – Gold Fields District
501 El Dorado Street, Auburn, CA 95603-4949
Ph. 530-823-4162 Fax: 530-885-2798

This is a great reminder to extremely careful with fires anywhere in California. Fire season is gonna come early this year because conditions are pretty darn dry. Remember to make sure all fires are DEAD OUT. And please adhere to all fire regulations and restrictions.