Conditions ‘sublime’ at Sierra ski resorts

RENO -- After weeks of making do with machine-made snow, back-to-back storms last week have given Sierra Nevada ski resorts -- and their skiers -- a holiday treat.

And a string of cold storms is expected to add more snow daily the rest of this week without being so potent that they keep travelers from heading into the hills.

"The planets have aligned," said Rachael Woods, spokeswoman for Lake Tahoe's Alpine Meadows Ski Resort.

"It's just made for sublime conditions. It's just that classic, perfect weather for holiday skiing and riding."

While many Sierra resorts still are short of the full amount of snow they would like to see nearly a week after the official start of winter, operators agreed they are pleased with an abrupt turnaround that has skiers and snowboarders smiling.

Alpine reported an average depth of 30 inches at the 6,835-foot base lodge and 50 inches at the summit, 8,637 feet above sea level.

At Kirkwood Mountain, last week's storms dropped nearly 5 feet of powder, and 6 to 10 inches expected over the next few days should be "icing on the cake," spokesman Allon Cohney said.

"The snow is holding up remarkably well. It's pretty good, dry snow," Cohney said.

At South Lake Tahoe's Heavenly Mountain Resort, about half the runs were open and operators continue to make more snow, spokesman Russ Pecoraro said. Pecoraro agreed that mostly clear driving conditions this week should combine with new snow to produce healthy holiday business at Sierra resorts.