Skiing Stoke from Lake Tahoe

Month: December 2015

Dazed and Confused

Is this really Lake Tahoe skiing right now?

Is this really the Lake Tahoe backcountry right now?


It’s difficult to tell whether the skiing is all time good right now or if it just feels that way because it’s been so long. Either way, it’s hard to find much to complain about. Last week the mountains around Lake Tahoe received two to three feet of heavy, base plastering snow followed by another storm which dumped two feet of low moisture fluff. It has stayed cold all week with highs just over 30 degrees keeping ski conditions perfect. The persistent weak layer that was a concern before Christmas has subsided and current avalanche hazard is low at all elevations and aspects. Ideal snow conditions and minimal avy risk make this a cycle of skiing we won’t soon forget. Be sure to check the Sierra Avalanche Center website every day before heading out. SAC forecasters dig pits all over the region which can help us better understand the local snowpack. Sierra Avalanche Center

Sugar Bowl's Mt. Disney on Christmas morning.

Sugar Bowl’s Mt. Disney on Christmas morning.


Is this real life?  Nobody at Sugar Bowl at 8:30 Christmas morning.

Is this real life? Nobody at Sugar Bowl at 8:30 Christmas morning.


The west face of Mt. Lincoln.

The west face of Mt. Lincoln.


Grant Kaye gets up early.

Grant Kaye gets up early on December 26.


All time or just an illusion?

All time or just an illusion? Photo by Grant Kaye.


Plenty of great skin tracks out there right now.

Plenty of great skin tracks out there right now.


Sneak a peak.

Sneak a peak.


Let the good times roll.

Let the good times roll. Photo by Grant Kaye.

Holidaze from Nut Hut Studios on Vimeo.

The Force Awakens

Grant Kaye slays pow on December 20.

Grant Kaye slays pow on December 20.


By Rob McCormick

Skiing-blog.com has been observing radio silence since the pathetic end to last ski season. After a string of horrible winters I vowed not to post again until there was something worth talking about. That time is now. In conjunction with the release of Star Wars Episode 7, The Force Awakens, the Tahoe ski season has also awakened. A succession of modest but effective storms have gradually improved ski conditions to the point of being downright proper. Conditions over the weekend were cold powder. We are now experiencing a warm wet storm that looks to drop nearly 3 feet of snow at higher elevations. Squaw Valley is a mix of slushy glop at elevation 6,200 today while Alpine Meadows is nuking snow with gale force winds at elevation 6,800. Nothing is open but the bar at Alpine. A colder storm is expected on Thursday and Friday followed by a drier pattern for the holiday week. Wake up! It’s time to ski!

The snowpack is growing between Highway 89 and the Pacific Crest.

The snowpack is growing between Highway 89 and the Pacific Crest.


Geoff Forcier wakes up.

Geoff Forcier wakes up.


Nuking in Alpine Meadows on December 21.

Nuking in Alpine Meadows on December 21.


Apres skiing Mellow Fellow style. Truckee, CA.

Apres skiing Mellow Fellow style. Truckee, CA.