* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. total accumulations up to a foot between 4500 to 5500 feet. 4 to 8 feet, with locally higher amounts above 5500 feet. Wind gusts up to 60 mph. * WHERE...West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada and Western Plumas County/Lassen Park Counties. * WHEN...Until 10 PM PST Friday. * IMPACTS...Dangerous travel conditions with chain controls and road closures. Localized tree damage, power outages, and low visibility due to the combination of heavy wet snow and strong winds. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels will be around 4500 to 5500 feet today through Friday. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour at times.
Sugar Bowl Resort woke up to a wintry magic this December 26, 2025, with a fresh inch of overnight snow dusting the slopes and ideal early-morning temperatures hovering around 28°F. Sugar Bowl Resort is located in California, United States.
Wind
Humidity
The snowpack is a healthy 25 inches—already at an impressive 118% of the seasonal average—making for well-covered trails and excellent riding conditions. With a Snow Water Equivalent of 4.6 inches, skiers and snowboarders can expect quality snow that carves beautifully. Thanks to a dynamic weather system moving in, another 13.66 inches of snow is forecasted over the next 24 hours, promising a powder-filled week ahead.
As the resort continues to build on its legacy, exciting developments are underway. Sugar Bowl is in the midst of a $100 million transformation, including a new gondola and upgraded terrain parks designed to rival the best in the country. CEO Bridget Legnavsky’s vision is drawing attention, with the resort praised for preserving its independent charm while embracing modern innovation. If you’re looking to escape the Tahoe crowds and savor authentic alpine vibes with fresh powder underfoot and bluebird skies above, Sugar Bowl is delivering the perfect post-holiday mountain escape today.
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 Truckee #2.
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 Sugar Bowl Resort.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Sugar Bowl Resort impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
The Sugar Bowl Resort is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. The resort itself is situated on Mount Disney, which is part of the larger Donner Summit area. Other nearby mountain ranges in the region include the Granite Chief Wilderness to the north and the Carson Range to the east. The resort offers skiing and snowboarding on a variety of mountain aspects, including north-facing slopes for cooler temperatures and better snow preservation, as well as south-facing slopes for sunny days and spring skiing conditions.
The ski resort boasts over 1,500 acres of skiable terrain that offers a mix of beginner, intermediate, and expert trails. The best trails at Sugar Bowl Resort include the Powder Bowl Express Lift and the Disney Lift, which provide access to some of the most challenging runs in the resort. An interesting fact about Sugar Bowl Resort is that it was the first ski resort in California to install a chairlift in 1939. For beginners, the best trail is the Flume Trail, which is gentle and wide. The Belt Room Bar is the perfect spot for an apres ski drink, offering a cozy and rustic atmosphere.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 12 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 21740 per hour |
Base Elevation | 2098 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 1500 Acres |
Established | 1938 |
Run Count | 84 Trails |
The ski area received 1" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, snow, mainly before 1pm. the snow could be heavy at times. areas of fog before 8am. areas of freezing fog between 8am and 11am. high near 34. southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. chance of precipitation is 80%. new snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sugar Bowl Resort is expected to receive up to 14.81" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
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California's Sierra Nevada is seeing a significant winter storm, with heavy new snowfall and strong 5-day forecasts centered around key resorts. The Lake Tahoe region is receiving the brunt, with Palisades Tahoe (near Squaw Valley G.C.) reporting 6–20" of new snow in the last 24 hours and up to 19" more expected. Nearby Echo Peak and Carson Pass sensors show ... Read more