Ski resorts open despite lack of snow

Monday, Dec. 27, 1999 | 9:32 a.m.

The lack of snow made Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe's opening Sunday its latest in 13 years. The resort is offering discounted $24 lift tickets because only two lifts serving six trails are open.

Unlike other Lake Tahoe resorts, Mt. Rose was unable to open earlier because of its limited snowmaking ability. The resort is located 15 miles southwest of Reno.

"We have a base of 6 to 12 inches, and what we did ... is a lot of snow farming," sales manager Murray Blaney said. "We've taken snow from areas and moved it around to make other areas skiable."

The resort plans to be open for the rest of the winter, not just this crucial week between holidays, he said.

"We have coverage and think we can manage," Blaney said. "But we would like some help from Mother Nature."

The National Weather Service is calling for continued dry weather at least through late this week. The Tahoe Basin's snowpack stands at 26 percent of normal.

Most Tahoe ski resorts are now open with only limited operations.

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