Freezing rain this evening into the morning of New Year's Day will be light and isolated, but could create slick, icy roadways for holiday travel across colder valleys of northeast California and the eastern Sierra. ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING... * WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory...Freezing rain. Ice accumulations up to a tenth of an inch in the Martis Valley and along Highway 395 in Mono County. For the Winter Storm Watch... Heavy snow. Snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet above 7000 feet and up to 12 inches below 7000 feet. Sierra crest ridgetops could see gusts as high as 100 mph. * WHERE...Greater Lake Tahoe Area, and Mono County. * WHEN...For the Winter Weather Advisory...from 4 PM this afternoon to noon PST Thursday. For the Winter Storm Watch...from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning. * IMPACTS...Difficult travel conditions are possible. The hazardous conditions could impact holiday travel tonight and Thursday morning. For this weekend, travel could become very difficult at times due to heavy snow. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Light freezing rain tonight through Thursday morning will be isolated and confined to colder valleys, but may create slick, icy roadways in the Martis Valley, including Interstate 80 near Truckee, and along Highway 395 in Mono County. Snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches possible along the Sierra crest in Mono County through Thursday morning.
Bluebird skies and crisp mountain air greeted skiers this New Year’s Day at Heavenly Ski Resort, Nevada, where the snowpack currently measures 24 inches—significantly below average for this time of year. Heavenly Ski Resort in Nevada boasts breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and offers over 4,800 skiable acres.
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Despite the modest base, conditions are expected to improve thanks to a promising storm track: 1.2 inches of fresh snow is forecasted in the next 24 hours, with a much more robust 10 inches expected by the weekend and up to 51 inches projected over the next five days. The snow water equivalent sits at 6.2 inches, indicating high moisture content in the incoming snow—excellent news for powder chasers.
However, recent headlines have cast a shadow over the slopes. A series of unfortunate incidents, including a lift chair collision that hospitalized five skiers and multiple fatalities involving resort staff and guests, have led to an increased presence of patrol and safety personnel across the mountain. Despite the tragic news, Heavenly remains open and is forecasting rapidly improving ski conditions as the storms roll in. Visitors are advised to stay updated on resort operations and trail closures. For those seeking powder turns and storm-driven adventure, the coming week promises a dramatic reset to Tahoe’s winter story.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Heavenly Valley.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Heavenly Ski Resort.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Heavenly Ski Resort impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
Heavenly Ski Resort in Nevada is part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The resort is located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, offering stunning views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains. Some of the prominent peaks in the area include:
- Mount Tallac: A popular hiking destination with breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains.
- Freel Peak: The highest peak in the Tahoe Basin, offering challenging backcountry skiing opportunities.
- Pyramid Peak: A rugged and iconic peak in the Desolation Wilderness area, popular among experienced climbers and skiers.
Heavenly Ski Resort offers a variety of terrain for all skill levels, with over 97 trails and 4,800 acres of skiable terrain. The resort also features the Heavenly Mountain Gondola, which provides access to the ski slopes and offers panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains.
Advanced skiers will love the challenge of the double black diamond runs, such as Gunbarrel and Mott Canyon, while intermediate skiers can enjoy the scenic views on runs like Dipper and Orion. Beginners can start their skiing journey on the wide, gentle slopes of Powderbowl. An interesting fact is that the resort was once owned by Howard Hughes, who had a private lift installed to access his penthouse suite. For apres ski, the Gunbarrel Grill is a popular spot with live music, drinks, and delicious food.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 30 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 52000 per hour |
Base Elevation | 1993 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 4800 Acres |
Established | 1955 |
Run Count | 95 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10am. high near 35. breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. chance of precipitation is 90%. little or no snow accumulation expected.
Heavenly Ski Resort is expected to receive up to 51.37" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
California ski resorts are gearing up for an impressive storm cycle, with the Sierra Nevada set to receive some of the heaviest snowfall in the West. Bloods Creek leads with a massive 179 inches in the past 24 hours and 92 inches forecasted over the next five days. This surge will significantly impact nearby Bear Valley Resort and Dodge Ridge, ... Read more