Moderate to heavy rain with high rain/snow elevation (8,000 feet and higher) Saturday evening through Sunday will lead to significant rises of rivers, creeks and streams with the potential for minor flooding. * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of California, including the Greater Lake Tahoe Area and Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties, including the Susan River near Susanville and the West Fork of the Carson near Woodfords. Portions of western Nevada, including the Greater Lake Tahoe Area. * WHEN...From early Sunday morning through Monday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff will result in significant rises of rivers, creeks, and streams. Small streams and creeks may overflow their banks. Flooding is most likely in urban, low lying, and poor drainage areas. Rockfall is also possible in areas of steep terrain. No mainstem river flooding is currently forecast, but the Susan River near Susanville and the West Fork of the Carson near Woodfords are expected to exceed action stage and minor flooding is possible in these areas. The Susan River near Susanville may experience additional rises mid next week. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Enhanced runoff and sediment transport are likely below recent burn areas, but debris flows are not expected. Look for river forecast updates at CNRFC.NOAA.GOV - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Blue skies greet skiers at Heavenly Ski Resort today, December 19, 2025, but the early-season snowpack remains well below average. Heavenly Ski Resort in Nevada boasts breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and offers over 4,800 skiable acres.
Wind
Humidity
With just 1 inch of base and a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 0.7 inches, the mountain is operating on limited terrain. Overnight temperatures hovered above freezing at 36°F, delaying snow preservation and complicating grooming efforts. Despite the snow-starved start, there's hope on the horizon — the 72-hour forecast calls for 4.34 inches of fresh snowfall, and a significant system is expected to drop up to 30 inches over the next five days. Powder chasers, take note: by early next week, conditions could shift dramatically.
Recent events have drawn attention at Heavenly, with a ski lift incident sending five guests to the hospital and prompting a temporary closure of the Comet Express. While the resort celebrates its 70th anniversary this season, safety remains front of mind. Visitors are urged to check current lift status and exercise caution on open runs. Despite the challenges, the energy on the mountain is rising with the promise of a major Sierra storm — and loyal skiers are already carving turns on snow-starved slopes, holding out for the deep days to come.
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, a chance of snow before 1pm, then rain and snow. high near 41. very windy, with a southwest wind around 40 mph, with gusts as high as 65 mph. chance of precipitation is 80%. little or no snow accumulation expected.
Heavenly Ski Resort is expected to receive up to 30.48" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
California’s Sierra Nevada is bracing for a major snow event, with the heaviest snowfall expected in the central and southern Sierra. Leavitt Lake and Sonora Pass are forecast to receive up to 127 cm and 119 cm of snow respectively over the next five days, positioning nearby resorts like Bear Valley and Dodge Ridge for significant powder days. Mammoth Mountain, ... Read more