An inbound system is expected to bring snow that can be measured in feet – an early Christmas present for area ski resorts that have postponed opening dates due to spring weather.
Northstar announced Friday that it will open on Sunday, joining sister stations Heavenly and Kirkwood, which were slated to open on Saturday. Mont Rose-Ski Tahoe opened on Friday with limited terrain.
“If we keep going our way, there will be precipitation,” said Heather Richards, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Temperatures are expected to drop ahead of the winds that arrive on Saturday night, with gusts of 100 mph possible over the mountain passes.
Richards said snow would start to fall at higher elevations around 1 a.m. on Sunday. Early Sunday morning, many will wake up to snow, with whiteout conditions possible.
“It will be snow that can be measured in feet,” said Richards.
At low altitudes, rain is possible.
“A lot of it depends on the elevation, but I know the ski resorts are talking about opening up because of this storm,” Richards said.
Most of the precipitation is expected through Sunday and Monday, but could continue until Tuesday, when it will begin to decrease by the evening journey.
This storm follows one that left a few inches of snow on parts of the valley floor Monday morning and a half foot in ski resorts.
Northern Nevada and the Sierra could see a White Christmas, Richards said.
She said storms that sometimes miss the area and head north are lining up for more snow here over the next two weeks.
The Washoe County School District said it was monitoring the weather as it headed for the last four days of school before winter break on Monday.
Ski resort openings
Celestial: Opening Saturday. The Aerial Tram, Gunbarrel Express, Patsy’s Chair, and Powderbowl Express will start loading at 8:30 a.m. with skiing on the slopes at Patsy’s and Maggie’s.
Kirkwood: Opening Saturday. Chair 5 (Solitude) will start charging at 9 a.m., with the Outlaw Trail open for skiing and horseback riding.
North Star: Opening Sunday. The Big Springs Gondola will begin charging at 8:30 am. Arrow Express and Vista Express will start loading at 9:00 am and will serve Skid Trail,
Mont Rose-Ski Tahoe: Open Friday. Horseback riding and top-to-bottom skiing will be open via the Northwest Express chair via Kit Carson Bowl. No beginner’s course will be open. Equipment rental and lessons start December 16.
Tahoe Donner: Opening on December 26 for its descent station. No date has yet been set for its cross-country ski center.
Boreal: Open with limited terrain on November 26 and Palisades Tahoe has two open lifts: First Venture and Kaya.
There are no scheduled opening dates for Sugar Bowl or Diamond Peak yet.
Monte Rosa route closed
The Nevada Department of Transportation is making emergency repairs on the Monte Rosa Road between Sky Tavern and Slide Road. Access to Monte Rosa-Ski Tahoe and the western points will only be available through Incline Village. The highway will be closed from 3 a.m. until 6 a.m. on Monday.
Amy Alonzo contributed to this article.
Siobhan McAndrew tells stories about the people of northern Nevada and covers education in Washoe County. Read his journalism here. Consider supporting his work by subscribing to the Reno Gazette Journal.
