An up-and-down ski season refuses to end after a fresh April snowfall. Photo: Palisades Tahoe//screenshot
Lake Tahoe’s last open ski resort is going to stay open for a few weeks longer thanks to a change in weather patterns. Palisades Tahoe will prolong its season into May after 11 fresh inches of snow fell this week, as per an email the resort sent to SF Gate on Wednesday.
After an abnormally dry and warm March, Palisades forecasted an April closing date. But temperatures cooled in April, and several snowstorms hit the Sierra Nevada. For many resorts, the snowfall came too late, but Palisades Tahoe reported a total of 81 inches of snowfall in April, which, combined with a cool weather forecast, means they will keep lifts running in May.
“There’s currently no set closing date, and operations will continue as long as conditions allow,” Palisades spokesperson Patrick Lacey told SF Gate.
Palisades joins Mammoth Mountain as the only California resorts still open for riding this season.
In a blog post, Palisades says it is expecting another dusting of snow this weekend at elevations above 7,000 to 7,500 feet, while lower levels on the mountain will receive precipitation. Palisades’ base is at 6,200 feet, while its highest peak reaches 9,000 feet.
Forecasters say there’s a chance on the horizon for another low-pressure system to bring snow around May 5, but confidence is low this far out.
