Lake Tahoe's Biggest Winter in Years, Miracle March is One for the Record Books!

30+ foot Snowbank in Alpine Meadows

The weather here in Lake Tahoe has been unreal! In the last 7 days we have received 144 inches in the upper elevations with close to 115 inches at lake level (6,200′) and there are still 3 more days of snow expected in this storm. The current storm is the 4th 100+ inch storm of the 2010/2011 season and it’s getting deep to say the least with roads turning into tunnels, homes getting buried, and ski resorts just trying to stay open. Skiers have been treated to dozens of amazing powder day over the last few weeks, as this is the deepest winter in Squaw Valley’s history, and its only March! I cant remember ever skiing this many 2+ foot days, you should see my smile, its been all time.

Alpine Meadows Patrol Firing Munitions on Thunder Ridge

Yesterday, 03/24/11 every Highway in the Tahoe region, I-80, Hwy 89, Hwy 50, and Hwy 28 shut down for some period of time, which rarely happens. Actually, Interstate 80 has barely been open over the last 4 days due to heavy snow, whiteout conditions, and dangerous driving conditions. Highway 89 closed for avalanche control yesterday while the Alpine Meadows Pro-Patrol in conjunction with Cal-Trans and the Forest Service shot bombs up on Thunder Ridge across from the River Ranch to prevent natural avalanches (which happened the week before). The Alpine Meadows Pro-Patrol used an avi-launcher mounted to the back of a Ford Pickup to hurl 2lb bombs up on the adjacent ridge in order to release weak snow layers. Luckily the snow had bonded well and no avalanches occurred.


Alpine Meadows Patrol and Cal-Trans Keeping the Roads Safe

Over the course of this weekend we are expecting to receive an additional 2 feet of snow in he higher elevations with a foot or so at the Lake. This weekend is going to make for some amazing skiing, so if you can get out I would highly recommend it, just make sure to ski with a buddy and keep your eyes on that person as it is very easy to get stuck in the deep snow and the tree wells are getting huge. Stay safe.