Tahoe Receives Up To A Foot Of New Snow With More On The Way

Lake Tahoe, CA/NV….Lake Tahoe ski resorts received up to a foot of fresh snow in the last 48-hours and another foot of snow at upper elevation is possible FridaySunday. Chain controls will vary based on snow levels and tourism officials encourage travelers to check conditions before and during their travels as they may change throughout the weekend.  During snowfall, a fleet of state and local snow removal vehicles work around the Lake Tahoe Basin to keep roads clear and safe for travel.

Quotes

“It is our own version of ‘March Madness’ here in Tahoe right now,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “Resorts are extending their seasons. Spring skiing conditions are at their best and on top of that many of our lodging properties are offering great deals for people to come take advantage of. ”

“As snow continues to fall through March, all twelve of our North Shore resorts have extended season closure dates,” explained JT Thompson, Tourism Director for North Lake Tahoe. “Over 140 billion gallons of water has been added to Lake Tahoe this season alone, which means the lake is 3.84 feet above its natural rim. We are going to have an unprecedented spring as locals and visitors alike find ways to incorporate multiple sports and outdoor activities into one day.”

“The snow conditions in Lake Tahoe are extraordinary,” stated Andy Chapman, President and CEO of the Incline Village/Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau. “Historically, we have seen winter storms continue through April so it’s important for travelers to watch road conditions carefully as snow removal and maintenance take place regularly to maintain safety.”

Tahoe South Road Conditions North Lake Tahoe Road Conditions
CA-50: Reduced to one lane in each direction for less than a mile from three miles east of Pollock Pines to one mile west of Riverton /at Bridal Veil Falls Rd/ (El Dorado Co) – due to a slipout – motorists are subject to delays.

CA-89 (Emerald Bay Road): Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels.

CA-88: Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from 6.3 miles east of Ham’s Station (Amador Co) to Picketts Junction (Alpine Co)

SR 207: No traffic restrictions are reported for this area. By late morning snow showers will become less frequent with isolated thunderstorms and breaks of sunshine by the afternoon. Temperatures will be warm enough that snow on roadways should melt quickly once heavy snow showers cease.
SR 431: No traffic restrictions are reported for this area. By late morning snow showers will become less frequent with isolated thunderstorms and breaks of sunshine by the afternoon. Temperatures will be warm enough that snow on roadways should melt quickly once heavy snow showers cease.

I-80:  Eastbound traffic is being held at Castle Peak (Nevada Co) due to multiple spinouts. For eastbound traffic, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from Cisco (Placer Co) to the Donner Lake Interchange (Nevada Co). For westbound traffic, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from the Donner Lake Interchange (Nevada Co) to Nyack (Placer Co).

CA-89 (Emerald Bay Road): Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from Squaw Valley Rd (Placer Co) to the junction of I-80 (Nevada Co), and from Calpine (Sierra Co) to the Sierra/Plumas Co line. Traffic is down to 1 lane at various locations from the El Dorado/Placer Co line to Tahoe City from 8AM-6PM Monday thru Friday 3/31 due to construction.
CA-267: No traffic restrictions are reported for this area. By early afternoon, rain and snow showers will continue with isolated thunderstorms. Temperatures will be warm enough that snow on roadways should melt quickly once heavy showers cease.
SR 431: Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from milepost 3.1 to milepost 14.6 in Washoe County.

Road Resources

When storm cycles are present, travelers are encouraged to gather as much information as possible before departing. Transportation and law enforcement authorities recommend waiting until a storm passes through before hitting the road. Motorists can check conditions with Caltrans www.dot.ca.gov and Nevada Department of Transportationhttp://nvroads.com. For real-time traffic information and to map your location, the QuickMap App from CalTrans is available for download. Keep in mind that GPS and maps applications on mobile devices may not be updated so monitor updates directly from the source.

Parking Considerations

Parking restrictions continue to be in effect until May, which means parking along roadway shoulders during this time is prohibited. Compliance will help avoid damage to parked vehicles as well as snow removal equipment and, most importantly, will prevent delays to snow removal operations. Placer County officials stress the importance of adhering to these restrictions even during mild weather as snow maintenance operations are still taking place. When parking in downtown areas, visitors are encouraged to use designated public parking lots. County officials also advise renters with vacation homes to alert their tenants of seasonal parking restrictions. Illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed and fined or towed, if necessary.

Driving Tips

Plan to take it slower, allow more time for travel and check conditions frequently as they may change. A list of supplies to pack is also suggested, including tire chains for any vehicle without 4-or all-wheel drive, flashlight, water, snacks, blankets, and reflective clothing in case of delays on the highway. A complete list is available at:http://www.dot.ca.gov/cttravel. Many road incidents can be avoided by reducing speed. While 4-wheel drive allows vehicles to more effectively negotiate snowy conditions, braking still takes longer. Take it slow and block more time to get to Lake Tahoe.

Current Conditions / Forecast

Both North and South Tahoe expect precipitation throughout the weekend with 1-3 inches at lake level on Friday andSunday evenings. Over the weekend daytime accumulation are minimal. Partly cloudy skies are in the forecast forTuesday.

Tahoe South Ski Resorts North Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts
 

Heavenly: 775-586-7000

 

Sierra-at-Tahoe: 530-659-7475

 

Kirkwood: 209-258-3000

 

Tahoe South Prism Cams

Diamond Peak: 775-832-1177

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: 775-849-0704

Northstar California: 530-562-2267

Squaw Valley I Alpine Meadows: 800-403-0206

Homewood Mountain Resort: 530-584-6800

Granlibakken Tahoe: 530-583-4242

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort: 530-426-9000

Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort: 530-426-3871

Boreal Mountain Resort: 530-426-3666

Tahoe Donner: 530-587-9400

Tahoe XC: 530-583-5475

Travel by Air and Shuttle

Flights into Reno Tahoe International Airport are available from Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose for as low as $39 each way. For travelers who forego auto travel, a variety of private and public shuttles depart from RTIA and are accessible to both North and South Tahoe.

South Tahoe Airporter provides nine daily round-trip shuttle departures from RTIA baggage claim to six properties near the Heavenly Village in South Shore. Learn more: http://southtahoeairporter.com/.

North Lake Tahoe Express offers 11 round-trip shuttle rides per day, departing from RTIA baggage claim. Drop-off locations include various neighborhoods and mountain properties. Learn more: http://northlaketahoeexpress.com/.

Lodging Deals — Extend Your Stay

Staying mid-week or even extending a weekend stay by 1-2 days allows for substantially less vehicles on the roads and some solid deals. Highlights include free lift tickets, après specials, fourth night free, 30 percent off mid-week, for details:

Interested in working remotely? In addition to the many coffee shops and hotel properties offering free Wi-Fi for guests, collaborative work spaces are available for freelancers, telecommuters and those who still need to stay connected while in the mountains.

  • North Lake Tahoe: Tahoe Mill Collective, located at the base of Alpine Meadows Ski Area.
  • Tahoe South: Mountain Lab has two locations, Harrison Avenue and Lakeview Lodge.

Visitor Information

Get the latest information on Tahoe events, activities, dining and entertainment at www.tahoesouth.com andwww.gotahoenorth.com.