Winter returns to Tahoe
Those conditions ended this week. Tuesday morning started with clouds hovering on the windward side of the Sierra crest, but the clouds and snow didn’t break through until dusk. Snow-forecast.com predicted around 10 inches at lake level, with up to 20 inches above 7,000 feet (2100 m) by the 15th. Truckee awoke to, not ten, but a solid 24-inches of fresh snow Wednesday morning. Thursday morning brought another 18 inches, plus an additional foot during the day with still more coming Thursday night, Friday and Saturday. No serious breaks until Sunday, maybe.
If you’re planning to ski this holiday weekend (President’s day), prepare for long lines, starting in Sacramento as you head up I-80, and continuing at your favorite chairlift. Bring the fattest planks you’ve got, goggles, and a snorkel. Expect avalanche hazard to be high to extreme nearly everywhere outside the boundaries of lift accessed terrain. Don’t forget to use your avy eyes and be sure to ski with a buddy, in or out of bounds.