Stairway to heaven.

Stairway to heaven.

Consistency has been the name of the game this winter. Small storms keep rolling in keeping conditions fresh. Big lines have been going down at Squaw Valley and the backcountry has been impeccable day after day. For the first time in years it’s starting to feel like a real ski season in Lake Tahoe. Pent up demand has Bay Area skiers rolling up in droves, local businesses are cranking and powder hounds are smiling. Gale force winds associated with our latest storm shut down lifts at Squaw Valley today. The current snowpack has several layers of buried surface hoar which should be carefully monitored by backcountry travelers. Forecasts are calling for more moisture over the next week.

Sierra Avalanche Center

Open Snow Powder Forecast

Mt. Tallac looking ripe on January 9.

Mt. Tallac looking ripe on January 9.

Ski tracks exiting Tram Chute at Squaw Valley.

Ski tracks exiting Tram Chute at Squaw Valley.

3,000 vertical feet to go.

3,000 vertical feet to go.