15th May 2023
Huge winter snowfalls in the USA have meant resorts are staying open with some of the best late season conditions in recent memory. PlanetSKI is delighted to report from California.
The stand-out ski states are California and Utah where snowfall records weren’t just broken this winter, they were smashed.
“I have been skiing these slopes for 25 years and this winter not only saw the most snow but also we had cold temperatures, so the powder was light and forgiving,” said a local skier, Mark Trotter, from Palisades Tahoe in Northern California to PlanetSKI.
The resort has had 18.4m of snow this winter at the top of the resort.
At one point it had a base depth of 5.8m.
Here is what it looks like now.
Palisades Tahoe, California. Image © PlanetSKI
“Even now in the middle of May we have several thousand people a day enjoying the late-season conditions,” said the mountain product sales manager of Palisades Tahoe, Blair Lewis.
“On Sunday May 14th there were 3,400 people skiing and snowboarding here.”
That compares to 15,000 people per day in peak season.
“This Spring with the huge amounts of snow remaining is hugely popular,” Blair added.
His words can be backed up by the scene in the parking lot at the base of the resort.
Palisades Tahoe, California. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI’s editor, James Cove, has just arrived in Palisades Tahoe and will be filling a full update and his personal take on the US resort shortly.
He managed a couple of runs on a late arrival in the resort.
Palisades Tahoe, California. Image © PlanetSKI
“There is so much snow still here and the drive up to the resort saw snow piled many meters high by the side of the road,” said James.
This is a snowpath cut through the pavement in a village he passed through on the way to Palisades Tahoe.
On the way to Palisades Tahoe, California. Image © PlanetSKI
“Locals here still talk about the winter, though of course it brought hardships with closed roads and visitors unable to reach their ski areas.”
“Palisades Tahoe, or Squaw Valley as it used to be called, is one of the US resorts I have been desperate to ski for years.
“And now here I am – in the middle of May. Ha!”
Palisades Tahoe, California. Image © PlanetSKI
In the past few days James has been enjoying the delights of San Francisco.
Now it’s time to end the tourist stuff and head to the ski slopes of Palisades Tahoe and then on to Mammoth.
The ski road trip part of the visit begins.
After Palisades Tahoe he is heading south to Mammoth Mountain where the resort has announced it will likely have some slopes open into August.
More of that later.
What about elsewhere in the USA and Canada now?
California/Nevada
Mt. Baldy – May 21 (weekends only).
Palisades Tahoe – July 4th.
Mammoth Mountain – August.
Utah
Snowbird –Open Friday–Sundays and holidays through Memorial Day on June. The resort will assess operations beyond Memorial Day based on conditions.
Solitude – Open Friday–Sunday until May 21st, conditions permitting.
Colorado
Arapahoe Basin – June 4th
Breckenridge – Further into May, but no date announced.
Oregon/Washington
Crystal Mountain – May 21st
Mt. Bachelor – May 28th
Timberline Lodge – August 31st
Arizona
Arizona Snowbowl – May 29th (weekends only)
Vermont (East Coast)
Killington, VT – May or early June.
There is also some skiing on offer in Canada, though it has been a poor winter north of the border with limited snow.
Canada
Whistler Blackcomb – May 22nd
Sunshine Village, – May 21st
Now as we are looking at resort still open, lets not forget Europe.
Update to come, but here’s the earlier PlanetSKI post.
Palisades Tahoe, California. Image © PlanetSKI
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This article was originally published by Planetski.eu. Read the original article here.
