MAMMOTH LAKES — Early winter conditions across the Sierra Nevada range have prompted a pair of regional ski areas to move up their opening dates this week, as KQED reported.
Mammoth Mountain will lead the region by opening for the winter season on Thursday, Nov. 5. The Eastern Sierra resort had originally planned to launch its season on Nov. 13, but local operators moved the timeline forward after a major storm delivered significant winter weather to the area. According to resort operators, recent storm activity combined with unseasonably low temperatures made the early opening possible.
Mammoth Resorts spokesperson Emily van Greunig told KQED by email that recent weather systems brought between 9 and 15 inches of fresh snow over the weekend. In addition to the natural accumulation, van Greunig told KQED that snowmaking crews took advantage of colder temperatures over several consecutive days to prepare the terrain for guests ahead of the original November target date.
Further north in the Lake Tahoe area, Mt. Rose is also moving ahead with an early schedule. The resort announced plans to welcome skiers and snowboarders on Friday, Nov. 6. Mt. Rose spokesperson Mike Pierce indicated that snow levels are sufficient to operate the resort's Lakeview Express lift. That operational foot print will grant visitors access to a mix of terrain suitable for beginner and intermediate skill levels. Pierce explained to the media outlet that the resort's primary goal is always to open that specific lift as soon as a couple of runs can be safely cleared and prepared.
Pierce told KQED that mountain crews have been aggressively running snowmaking equipment at every opportunity. He noted that atmospheric conditions throughout the fall season have significantly aided those operational efforts. Looking forward at regional weather trends, Pierce mentioned that a brewing super El Niño pattern in the Pacific Ocean bodes well for Mt. Rose and general snow prospects.
Geography also plays a key role in the early start for the Tahoe-area resort. Pierce told KQED that Mt. Rose benefits from a northern exposure and holds the highest base elevation among resorts in its immediate area. Because of those specific geographic attributes, Pierce noted that even when winter storms arrive with warmer air temperatures, the mountain is almost always guaranteed to retain usable snow cover.
Near-term forecasts suggest additional weather could visit the region before the weekend operations officially commence. Weather reports from OpenSnow forecaster Bryan Allegretto indicated that rain moving through the Bay Area on Tuesday had the potential to drop a small amount of additional snow across higher Sierra elevations. However, Allegretto projected that weather patterns would clear up, offering a break in precipitation in time for the upcoming weekend.
With early season excitement building across the region, resort officials are urging visitors to exercise caution during their initial trips to the slopes. Pierce advised skiers and snowboarders heading out for first tracks this weekend to remain mindful of their physical limits and safety, pointing out that for most guests, this weekend represents their first day on the snow for the season. Pierce told KQED that visitors should focus on playing it safe and staying wise during their initial runs of the year.
