Snow is falling in the mountains. Photo: Mammoth Mountain//Instagram
You heard it here first, folks. A storm (that’s still hammering away at the Sierras while I type) has brought over a foot of new snow to Mammoth Mountain, meaning the season is starting early for the eastern side of the mountains. Originally set to open November 11, the storm, as well as sub-freezing temps ’round the clock which have allowed for 24-hour snowmaking, have bumped that date up to November 5, this Saturday. Two to three chairlifts will be operating out of the main lodge with access to a few runs and a small terrain park.
While Mammoth might be the first California resort to open, they certainly aren’t the only ones to benefit from the early snow. Tahoe got hit hard as well, with Palisades reporting 13 inches of snow from the storm. And more is on the way, as there’s the potential for atmospheric river conditions to set up a parade of storms that could sweep across the West. Palisades’ weather blog suggests that anywhere from two to five feet of snow could hit Tahoe. Palisades isn’t set to open until November 22, but if enough snow falls there’s certainly a possibility that the projected opening date could come sooner.
Speculation aside, below are the currently stated opening dates for California’s ski resorts (as well as a running list of currently open U.S. ski resorts) so you can get your shred on as soon as the lifts open. However, this is all subject to change as the storms keep rolling through. We’ll do our best to keep this updated as new information is announced.
CA Ski Resorts Projected Opening Dates
Mammoth Mountain: November 5, 2022
Heavenly: November 18, 2022
Snow Summit: November 18, 2022
Northstar California: November 18, 2022
Mountain High: November 19, 2022
Palisades Tahoe: November 22, 2022
Sugar Bowl Resort: November 25, 2022
Soda Springs: November 25, 2022
Bear Mountain: November 25, 2022 (conditions permitting)
Kirkwood: December 2, 2022
Boreal Mountain Resort: December 3, 2022
Tahoe Donner: December 9, 2022
Mt. Baldy: December 16, 2022
Ski China Peak: December 16, 2022
Homewood Mountain Resort: December 16, 2022
Dodge Ridge: December 16, 2022
June Mountain: December 17, 2022
Bear Valley: December 17, 2022
Mt. Shasta Ski Park: December 18, 2022
Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area: December 24, 2022
Sierra-at-Tahoe: December 25, 2022
Snow Valley: December 25, 2022
Donner Ski Ranch: TBD
Currently Open Ski Resorts in the U.S.
Andes Tower Hills, Minnesota
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado
Keystone, Colorado
Loveland, Colorado
Trollhaugen, Wisconsin
Wild Mountain, Minnesota
Winter Park, Colorado
