Stormchaser wrote:My last trip to Tahoe during a storm cycle, provided 4 days of skiable weather, and 3 days of wind holds with 100 mph winds... Hit and miss during a storm cycle in Tahoe. Chase the lower elevation resorts when Heavenly, Kirkwood, etc. are all on wind hold. Had two good days at Sierra when the Heav couldn't handle the blowjob. If you are staying at Heavenly on the Nevada side, and access is an issue by vehicle and/or lift, Mott and Killebrew may be your own private stash. Winds are a prob at Mt Rose, but its also off the beaten path. Highest base elevation in Tahoe. If snow levels are a concern, its a good bet, and the Chutes are damn fun. Just don't duck ropes there, an inbounds avy killed someone earlier this year in the Chutes who dove in pre-avy control...
On the Nevada side at Heavenly - Stagecoach lift offers some decent terrain and trees and generally is open when other lifts at Heavenly are on wind hold. I once skied nearly a whole day at Heavenly just skiing Stagecoach and North Bowl chair with constant refresh of snow on the lift ride.
Northstar is a good bet when winds are high post storm - they are lower elevation and a bit more sheltered from the winds. Backside Northstar has some great tree pods - but its moniker is also FlatStar!
Sierra Tahoe as mentioned is also a good bet and it also has tremendous tree pods -
Skis - Blizzard Brahma 88, Nordica Enforcer 104
Age - over 45 years @ Killington
Stormchaser wrote:My last trip to Tahoe during a storm cycle, provided 4 days of skiable weather, and 3 days of wind holds with 100 mph winds... Hit and miss during a storm cycle in Tahoe. Chase the lower elevation resorts when Heavenly, Kirkwood, etc. are all on wind hold. Had two good days at Sierra when the Heav couldn't handle the blowjob. If you are staying at Heavenly on the Nevada side, and access is an issue by vehicle and/or lift, Mott and Killebrew may be your own private stash. Winds are a prob at Mt Rose, but its also off the beaten path. Highest base elevation in Tahoe. If snow levels are a concern, its a good bet, and the Chutes are damn fun. Just don't duck ropes there, an inbounds avy killed someone earlier this year in the Chutes who dove in pre-avy control...
On the Nevada side at Heavenly - Stagecoach lift offers some decent terrain and trees and generally is open when other lifts at Heavenly are on wind hold. I once skied nearly a whole day at Heavenly just skiing Stagecoach and North Bowl chair with constant refresh of snow on the lift ride.
Northstar is a good bet when winds are high post storm - they are lower elevation and a bit more sheltered from the winds. Backside Northstar has some great tree pods - but its moniker is also FlatStar!
Sierra Tahoe as mentioned is also a good bet and it also has tremendous tree pods -
Had Stagecoach within walking distance and the Mott chair running for two days with wind and road closures. 21 laps in Mott the first day. 17 split between Mott and Killebrew the next. Killebrew wasn't open for first day. 6' in 7 days. Been chasing that ski trip ever since. 54" the three days prior to arrival in Tahoe last March is the closest. One day here and there on numerous trips, but have yet to have things pan out like they have in Tahoe.
Alpine Meadows may well be the most exciting place I've even been....great variety of terrain.....but DO hit a veritable unknown over the Donner....Sugar Bowl...GREAT stuff on Judah Bowl at same....rockin good time!
Stormchaser wrote: 54" the three days prior to arrival in Tahoe last March is the closest.
That's sensational!
Have vivid memory of Taos with a 3 day storm of that magnitude.
( .. had place to ourselves, as Taos access rd was closed by avi )
Even at Squaw, 54" dictates some strong pitch to maintain pace.
Curious, did you get Sierra density and/or dream stuff?
To reiterate, hoping this Pacific River holds together.
Big dumpage here would still qualify as a stocking stuffer.
Stormchaser wrote: 54" the three days prior to arrival in Tahoe last March is the closest.
That's sensational!
Have vivid memory of Taos with a 3 day storm of that magnitude.
( .. had place to ourselves, as Taos access rd was closed by avi )
Even at Squaw, 54" dictates some strong pitch to maintain pace.
Curious, did you get Sierra density and/or dream stuff?
To reiterate, hoping this Pacific River holds together.
Big dumpage here would still qualify as a stocking stuffer.
Heavy heavy heavy. Fat skis, stay on top, big turns...
PinnacleJim wrote:Reports out of Tahoe are not pretty. Road closures. Avalanches. Ski areas not able to open. And r*in predicted up to 10,000 ft elevation.
Be careful what you wish for.
At some ski areas they can't move the snowcats. They're snowed in. Probably have to plow some of the lift lines.
Thanks for the tips guys! I know some stuff from research like Mott & killebrew, meeting up with some friends who live out west too. Just landed in Reno after a 2 hour delay leaving JFK.. tomorrow may be a bust if they open or not but rest of the week looks great... I'll report back later on
blakeslee_a wrote:Thanks for the tips guys! I know some stuff from research like Mott & killebrew, meeting up with some friends who live out west too. Just landed in Reno after a 2 hour delay leaving JFK.. tomorrow may be a bust if they open or not but rest of the week looks great... I'll report back later on