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Latest in Lake Tahoe
The 2026-27 Ski California Gold Pass Goes on Sale May 1 - Unlimited Access to 36 Resorts for $4,250
Ski California's Gold Pass returns on sale May 1, priced at $4,250 for unlimited, blackout-free access to 36 ski areas across California and Nevada. The pass is transferable - not tied to an individual - making it a legitimate option for families, groups, or corporate hospitality. Passes typically sell out fast.
Mt Rose Ski Tahoe Closes After Lean Season
Mt Rose closed for the 2024-25 season on Sunday with icy conditions marking the final day. The Tahoe area resort wrapped up a winter that locals describe as leaving "much snow to be desired", though some late-season storms briefly improved coverage in April.
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe Offers $60 Lift Tickets for Season Pass Holders from Other Resorts
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe in Nevada is offering discounted lift tickets to anyone holding a 2025-26 season pass from another resort. Adults can ski for $60 and kids for $30 through the end of the season, with late-season conditions looking solid after 21 inches of fresh snow hit the mountain last week. The deal also stacks towards a DoubleDown Season Pass for next year.
Heavenly Ski Resort Closes Early as Heat Melts Key Runs
Heavenly Ski Resort is ending its season on 5 April after record temperatures melted critical connecting runs. The Tahoe resort made it through its 70th anniversary season but couldn't stretch into mid-April as planned. Operations managed to patch runs together with limited snowfall before calling it.
Sierra-at-Tahoe Introduces Paid Parking Reservations for 2026-27 Season
Sierra-at-Tahoe is rolling out a parking reservation system for weekends and holidays starting in the 2026-27 season. Free for passholders and carpools of four or more, but $25 a day for everyone else. Here's what you need to know.
Two Lake Tahoe Resorts Close Early as March Heat Wave Decimates Snowpack
Sierra at Tahoe and Homewood have pulled the pin on their 2025-26 seasons weeks ahead of schedule as temperatures hit the low 20s celsius and California's snowpack drops to 28 percent of average in the northern Sierra - the worst levels since 2015.
Castle Peak Avalanche: California's Deadliest Slide Kills Nine Backcountry Skiers Near Lake Tahoe
On the morning of February 17, 2026, nine people lost their lives when an avalanche swept through a group of fifteen backcountry skiers near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada. It is the deadliest avalanche in California's recorded history — and the full picture of what happened that morning raises serious questions about decision-making, risk assessment, and the weight of avalanche warnings.
Palisades Tahoe Snowpack Climbs Above Average After Nearly 3 Metres in Four Days
A significant storm cycle has delivered 2.9 metres of snow to Palisades Tahoe over four days, pushing the Tahoe Basin snowpack to 104% of median. After a dry January, the resort's parking is sold out for the weekend as skiers and riders return to revitalised Sierra Nevada slopes.
10 Skiers Missing After Avalanche Near Castle Peak, Lake Tahoe
A group of 16 skiers was caught in a large avalanche near Castle Peak in Northern California on Tuesday morning, leaving 10 people unaccounted for as emergency crews mounted a major rescue operation. The incident occurred amid an active avalanche warning and severe storm conditions across the Sierra Nevada.
California Ski Resorts Set for Major Christmas Storm Cycle
After the driest start to a California ski season in years, resorts are set to receive 40-100 inches of snow just in time for Christmas. The two-phase storm system arrives this weekend, with the best conditions developing Wednesday through Friday as snow levels drop and quality improves across the Sierra Nevada.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort: Tahoe's Deep Snow and Advanced Terrain Destination for Serious Skiers
Kirkwood Mountain Resort stands apart in Tahoe with the region's deepest snowfall (354 inches annually), 58% advanced/expert terrain, and a refreshingly uncrowded atmosphere. Discover why this remote alpine valley offers California's most authentic skiing experience, where challenging terrain and quality snow take priority over flashy amenities.
Mt. Rose Starts Early Snowmaking, Aims for November Opening
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe has begun snowmaking operations, positioning itself as an early opener in the Lake Tahoe region. The resort's $6 million in upgrades, including a new tubing park, reflect ongoing efforts to diversify offerings amidst changing ski industry trends.
Sierra-at-Tahoe Adds Two Trails, Expands Groomed Terrain for 2025/26
Sierra-at-Tahoe unveils modest improvements for the 2025/26 season, including two new trails and expanded grooming. While marketing touts these changes, their practical impact for most skiers remains to be seen.
Palisades Tahoe Development Compromise Reached After 14-Year Dispute
A long-standing development dispute at Palisades Tahoe ski resort has been resolved through a compromise agreement, reducing the scale of planned expansion while allowing for modernisation.
Sugar Bowl Resort Launches Major Upgrade Project
Sugar Bowl Resort in California has begun a significant two-year development project, including a new Village Lodge deck, modern locker room, and upgraded gondola system.
Homewood's New Gondola Project: Targeted Opening for 2026-27 Season
Homewood Mountain Resort is making significant progress on its new gondola project, with plans to open for the 2026-27 ski season. The gondola will connect the lakefront base to a new mid-mountain lodge, offering improved access and views.
Former Dartmouth Ski Champion Dies at Palisades Tahoe
A skilled 26-year-old skier and former Dartmouth College racing champion has died following an accident on a challenging run at Palisades Tahoe, California.
Northstar and Kirkwood Extend Ski Season After Great March Snowfall
Northstar California and Kirkwood Mountain Resort have extended their ski seasons until April 20 following substantial snowfall in March, offering skiers and riders an extra week on the slopes.
Homewood Mountain Resort to Reopen for 2025-26 Season: Gondola Plans Delayed
Homewood Mountain Resort on Lake Tahoe's west shore will resume operations for the 2025-26 winter season, despite delays in its planned gondola installation. The resort's reopening follows a year of closure and brings clarity to its future development plans.
Tragic Accident at Diamond Peak: Young Girl Killed by Falling Boulder
A heartbreaking incident at Diamond Peak Ski Resort in Nevada has left the skiing community in shock. A 7-year-old girl lost her life after being struck by a dislodged boulder near the resort's base lodge.
Palisades Tahoe Resort Review: Home of North American Extreme Skiing Celebrates 75 Years
Discover Palisades Tahoe, the birthplace of extreme skiing in North America and former host of the 1960 Winter Olympics. With 54% advanced terrain across 6,400 acres, including the legendary KT-22 lift, this Lake Tahoe resort continues to challenge and inspire skiers and riders after 75 years of operation.
Heavenly Ski Resort Chairlift Accident: Five Injured in Comet Express Collision
A serious incident at Heavenly Ski Resort resulted in five people being hospitalised after two chairs collided on the Comet Express lift. The December 23rd accident occurred when one chair slid backward, impacting another occupied chair, leading to multiple injuries and an immediate investigation by resort officials.
Heavenly Ski Resort: A Comprehensive Review of Lake Tahoe's Largest Single Resort
Discover the magic of Heavenly Ski Resort, where California meets Nevada in a skiing paradise overlooking Lake Tahoe. This comprehensive review explores the resort's vast terrain, stunning views, and unique features that make it a must-visit destination for skiers and riders of all levels.
Heavenly Resort Faces Unexpected Challenge with Gondola Closure
Heavenly Resort, nestled on Lake Tahoe's shores, faces challenges with the indefinite closure of its key 'Heavenly Gondola' due to mechanical issues. With the Stagecoach Express also not yet operational, the resort is redirecting activities to the California Lodge and advising guests to visit nearby Epic Pass Resorts like Northstar and Kirkwood, especially during the expected busy holiday week.
Kirkwood vs Heavenly vs Northstar California - Epic Battle In Lake Tahoe
Planning a Lake Tahoe ski adventure with your Epic Pass? Discover how Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Northstar compare across 8 key categories. With over 10,000 combined skiable acres, similar snowfall patterns, and terrain for all abilities, we break down which of these world-class resorts deserves your attention. Find out which Tahoe giant stands above the rest for your next mountain escape.
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More from the SnowStash desk
Spain Moves to Ban Smoking at Ski Resorts Under New Tobacco Law
Spain's government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking across a wide range of outdoor spaces, including sports venues - a category Spanish winter sports media expect to cover ski resorts, potentially extending to slopes and lifts themselves. The rules would also apply to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, even nicotine-free ones. The bill still has to clear the Spanish parliament before any ban, signage, or fines can take effect.
South Tyrol Approves New 16-Person Ciampinoi Gondola in Val Gardena
South Tyrol has approved a full rebuild of the Ciampinoi cable car in Selva di Val Gardena, replacing the current 12-person gondola with a 16-person cabin and a new mountain-station restaurant. Capacity is capped at 3,200 people an hour rather than the 3,600 the operator wanted, and 250,000 euros must go toward compensatory measures. No construction or opening date has been set, though the upgrade is partly aimed at clearing bottlenecks before the 2031 Alpine Ski World Championships.
Resort Spotlight: Hoshino Tomamu - Corporate Japan's Mountain Playground Revisited
Hoshino Tomamu is the ski resort equivalent of a conference hotel that happens to have excellent powder. Built for corporate retreats and package tourists, it offers genuine Hokkaido snow on surprisingly limited terrain - 29 runs spread across 585 vertical metres.
La Thuile's New Cable Car Replaces Two Ageing Chairlifts
La Thuile is spending 38.7 million US dollars on a new 10-person cable car linking Les Suches to Chaz Dura, replacing the La Combe and Chaz Dura chairlifts after nearly forty years of service. Built by Leitner, the new cable car runs 1,950 metres to a top station at 2,576 metres, carrying up to 3,000 people an hour with a six-minute ride. It also improves the connection to La Rosiere in France via the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass, and is on track to open for the 2026/27 season.
The Remarkables Adds Scarpa Bowl to Its Inbounds Terrain
The Remarkables is adding new inbounds terrain for winter, bringing the Scarpa Bowl - known locally as the Toilet Bowl - into its lift-accessed network after years as backcountry-only ground. The roughly 500 metre run is reached by bootpacking from the top of the Sugar Bowl chairlift, with a shuttle picking skiers up from the road at the bottom. It's a smaller, faster addition than the resort's planned Doolans expansion, though the new terrain hasn't opened yet due to a lack of snow this season.
Ski Portillo Cut Off After Storm Dumps More Than 4.5 Metres of Snow
Ski Portillo remains isolated after an extended storm buried the Chilean resort under more than 4.5 metres of snow, with both ground and air access suspended since Tuesday while crews monitor avalanche hazards and worsening weather. Resort officials say further snowfall is expected in the coming days and haven't set a timeline for reopening the mountain road. Once access resumes, the scale of the snowpack could set up a strong season at one of the Southern Hemisphere's most historic ski resorts.
Resort Spotlight: Lotte Arai - Japan's Corporate Ski Anomaly With 22 Metres of Annual Snowfall
Lotte Arai receives 22 metres of annual snowfall - exceptional even by Japanese standards - but its corporate ownership model and limited terrain create an unusual cost-benefit equation. Here's what the numbers actually mean on the ground.
Resort Spotlight: Banff Sunshine Village - Nine Metres of Snow and a Season That Runs Until May
Banff Sunshine Village sits at 1,660m base and receives 9.27m of snow annually. Inside Banff National Park, it offers a six-month season and terrain split that skews heavily advanced - though the crowds and lift infrastructure tell their own story.