Storms set stage for busy Christmas at Lake Tahoe ski resorts

Martin Griffith

Monday, Dec. 7, 1998 | 11:11 a.m.

RENO, Nev. -- Lake Tahoe ski resorts were bracing for heavy Christmas holiday crowds after a series of storms dumped up to 5 feet of snow over the past week.

Resort operators said a weekend storm left up to 1 1/2 feet of new snow and helped position Sierra Nevada resorts for the best Christmas skiing in the country.

Colorado, Utah and New England ski resorts have received less snow because of a higher-than-normal jetstream that has produced warm, spring-like conditions.

"Given the fact conditions at Lake Tahoe are superior to any other winter destination in North America, we think that will drive even more business this year. It doesn't get much better than this," said Heavenly spokesman John Wagnon.

Alpine Meadows spokeswoman Rachael Woods said her resort already has received 100 inches of snow, an amount usually not attained until mid- or late January.

"We've got a lot of help from Mother Nature," she said. "I think Christmas is going to be huge. I know news of the snowstorms has been getting around quite a bit and I think people will plan their vacation around that."

A group of six major Lake Tahoe ski resorts, including Alpine Meadows and Heavenly, has launched an advertising campaign to get the word out about base depths of 3 to 8 feet.

By comparison, Colorado and Utah base depths range from 2 to 4 feet.

The storms have allowed all Lake Tahoe resorts to open for the season. Some resorts have swung into full gear, while others offer only limited operations.

California and Nevada ski resorts reported a record 7.3 million guests last winter, better than the 7.1 million of 1988-89.

Resort operators are cautiously optimistic about posting another record season.

"The storms bode well for a very long and very good ski season," Wagnon said. "But anything can happen as the season unfolds. Sometimes we'll start out strong and then it won't snow for a while."

Woods said her resort anticipates another long season.

"Last year our closing date was June 28. If it keeps going the way it's been, we'll match or surpass that date," she said.

The latest storm left up to 1 1/2 feet of new snow at the Alpine Meadows and Kirkwood resorts, and 8 inches at Truckee, Calif., and Tahoe City, Calif.

In Nevada, the Mount Rose ski area led the way with 8-12 inches, followed by Austin with 5 inches and Carson City with 2 inches. Reno, Fallon, Elko and Ely each reported 1 inch of snow.

Chains or snow tires were required on most highways in the Reno-Tahoe during the height of the storm Saturday night and early Sunday, but controls were lifted by Sunday afternoon.

Interstate 80's eastbound lanes were temporarily shut down Saturday night because of several accidents on the icy roadway.