* WHAT...Heavy snow expected above 5000 feet. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches above 5000 feet, with 2 to 4 feet above 6000 feet. Locally higher amounts at highest peaks. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. * WHERE...West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada and Western Plumas County/Lassen Park above 5000 feet. * WHEN...From 10 PM Friday to 4 PM PST Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening through Monday morning commutes. Strong winds could cause tree damage. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels 6500-7500 feet Friday night into Saturday morning, lowering to 5000 to 6000 feet Saturday afternoon into Sunday, and further to around 4500 to 5500 feet by early Monday morning. Heaviest snow expected on Sunday.
Welcome to Sugar Bowl Resort on this spectacular New Year's Day 2026! Sugar Bowl Resort is located in California, United States.
Wind
Humidity
With overnight temps hovering at a crisp 32.5°F, the mountain is holding a solid 23-inch snowpack—slightly below average for this time of year, but powder hounds need not worry. A fresh 3.12 inches of snow is expected today, with a major storm system moving in midweek promising up to 64 inches over the next five days. Conditions are currently packed powder with a dusting of fresh snow, making for fast and fun turns across the resort's famed terrain.
The buzz around Sugar Bowl doesn’t stop at the slopes. The resort’s ambitious $100 million upgrade—the largest in its history—continues to reshape the guest experience, enhancing lifts, lodges, and snowmaking. Families can also enjoy the newly opened Sugar Rush Tubing and Snow Play Park, perfect for après-ski fun off the skis. With Sugar Bowl’s commitment to freestyle youth development and its proud status as one of Tahoe’s last independent ski resorts, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark season. Make your first tracks count this year—conditions and community spirit are prime at Sugar Bowl!
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 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, rain before 4pm, then rain and snow likely. snow level 9000 feet lowering to 7500 feet in the afternoon . high near 42. calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. chance of precipitation is 90%. little or no snow accumulation expected.
Sugar Bowl Resort is expected to receive up to 64.4" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
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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