RENO, Nev. – Starting today through the end of the season, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is offering discounted lift tickets to season pass holders from other resorts. With presentation of a 2025/26 season pass from another resort at any ticket window, an adult ticket can be purchased for $60, and a ticket for kids ages 15 and under is $30. This discount is not valid with any other offer.
Following last week’s late season storm that delivered 21 inches of fresh snow to the mountain and cold temperatures that allowed the resort to fire up its snowmaking system for three straight days, Tahoe’s best spring snow conditions are at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe.
“The snow conditions are really fun right now, and there’s no time like the present to take advantage of it and get in some great skiing and riding,” said Mike Pierce, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe marketing director.
In addition, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe continues to stay “Open Late” Fridays and Saturdays with select lifts spinning from the main lodge until 6:00 p.m. further heightened by the Lakeview Deck apres experience. Spring Break full-day Kids Camps are being offered daily for ages 7-12 that include a full day of ski or snowboard lesson, equipment rentals, and lunch for $79 per day mid-week and $99 per day on Saturdays and Sundays.
For those who want to ski or ride at Mt. Rose for the rest of this season and all of next, the full ticket value can also be applied toward a DoubleDown Season Pass.
Visit skirose.com to purchase tickets, season passes, and plan a trip.
Currently under construction, Gym Love and Iron Battalion CrossFit’s new space will offer beautiful mountain viewsProvided/Sony Graeb
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Gym Love, known for its raving reviews, friendly staff, and advantageous location, is taking on a new venture by partnering with Iron Battalion CrossFit to utilize an additional space in the same building.
Plans for the expansion came in June of 2025 after Gym Love owners Ted and Amber Kennedy found the right partner who shares their vision.
“We felt like the fitness industry could use more love. We wanted to bring a level of hospitality that we were good at in our restaurants – where people are welcomed by name, cared for, and made to feel like they truly belong,” said Kennedy, who has been involved in the ownership of numerous Tahoe businesses for over two decades, including Base Camp Pizza Co., California Burger Company, and Fireside Pizza Company in Olympic Village.
“Our focus has always been on the 80% of people who don’t feel comfortable in a traditional gym setting—those who may feel intimidated, unsure, or overlooked. We built Gym Love to change that, to create a place where everyone feels seen, supported, and encouraged.”
Iron Battalion CrossFit, originally founded in Los Angeles, had the same mission when it came to building their 10-year fitness family.
“It’s all about community. It’s the fact that you join a class or a group and it becomes your tribe,” said Sony Graeb, owner of Iron Battalion CrossFit. “You go in there, you’re intimidated, you’re learning things with a coach to make sure you’re moving right, and then the tribe keeps you coming back. The group feeling of being in a class, working, suffering, and crushing it with other people, you just feed off each other’s energy.”
Graeb started CrossFit in 2013, and had a terrible first experience, noting that the gym she went to had cliquey groups, classes too big for coaches to handle, no customer service, and no welcoming energy to diminish that disheartening feeling of being too intimidated to try something new. Graeb thought, “This can’t be it”, so she took everything she didn’t like and turned it into the opposite, opening her own CrossFit gym in 2014.
“Our first rule since then is: Always remember the moment you walked in here, and somebody reached out, shook your hand and said, ‘Hi, welcome to Iron Battalion!’ If that made you feel good – you return the favor.”
Iron Battalion CrossFit was alive and kicking in LA, and in 2019, Graeb had the opportunity to buy another gym in the area, Team CrossFit, and merged the two businesses.
After migrating to Tahoe and getting a job as a ski and snowboard instructor at Heavenly Mountain Resort, a serendipitous meeting with Amber and Ted Kennedy opened up a whole new door for Graeb, one that would lead her to reunite with her passion.
“We’re especially excited to partner with Sony Graeb, who has not only brought tremendous expertise and passion, but has also stepped into ownership and leadership of this new chapter, along with her husband. Sony’s 15-plus years in the fitness world, combined with her ability to motivate and genuinely care for people, makes her the perfect leader for this expansion,” said Kennedy.
The Kennedys had their eyes on a gorgeous, sizable space located just down the hall in the same building, and after discussing with Graeb, they decided to pull the trigger.
“This new expansion with Iron Battalion CrossFit is a powerful extension of [our] vision. It introduces a higher level of coaching, group training, and personal fitness, all within what we believe is one of the most visually inspiring workout spaces in Tahoe—with sweeping mountain and gondola views. It’s an environment that energizes people the moment they walk in,” Kennedy said.
Gym Love and Iron Battalion CrossFit’s vision is coming to life and is targeted for a mid-April completionProvided/Sony Graeb
With plans for a mid-April start, the Gym Love and Iron Battalion CrossFit expansion will be offering, not just CrossFit, but heart rate-based interval training which involves wearing a heart rate monitor while tracking calories burned during the session. Group classes, one-on-one coaching, nutrition plans, weightlifting programs, these are just a few of the services being provided, with certified coaching from experienced leaders like Todd Worden who moved from LA to South Lake to continue being part of the community Graeb started.
“CrossFit may sound tough, but we’re a small family and we’re passionate about what we’re doing. It doesn’t matter if you’re 16 or 80, this is for everyone,” added Graeb. “We’ve rebuilt something that we believe in, and we’ve stuck together.”
To learn more about Gym Love and Iron Battalion CrossFit, check in at Gym Love, or go to https://gymlovetahoe.com/ and scroll down to “Group Classes”.
Gym Love and Iron Battalion CrossFit are located at 3979 Lake Tahoe Blvd, Unit 3 in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
The National Weather Service is also reporting a chance of isolated to scattered thunderstorms Thursday and FridayPetra Molina / Sierra Sun
TRUCKEE, Calif. – Following months of limited storm activity, the Tahoe region could see a more sustained period of precipitation as a new weather pattern moves in later this week.
“After a frustrating winter with only two stormy weather pattern periods from the end of November through March, we look to finally have a pattern coming that we could have used a lot more this season,” wrote forecaster Bryan Allegretto on OpenSnow.
Allegretto said a broad area of lower pressure may settle over the West Coast by April 9 and linger through at least April 20. Unlike midwinter systems driven by a strong jet stream and colder air masses, this pattern will feature weaker, slow-moving low-pressure systems.
“These are weak cut-off or closed lows that are moving through slowly and will get a boost in showers from daytime heating,” Allegretto wrote. “Overall, above-average precipitation for this time of year is forecast.”
Temperatures are expected to drop alongside the storms, with highs reaching the 40s at lower elevations and 30s on the upper mountain. Conditions will fluctuate, turning colder during periods of precipitation and warming slightly during breaks in cloud cover.
The National Weather Service is also reporting a chance of isolated to scattered thunderstorms Thursday and Friday, though confidence remains low regarding the extent of impacts.
Looking ahead, forecasters anticipate a brief lull early next week before additional storms move through Northern California as the unsettled pattern persists. Notably, Allegretto reporter there are no signs of high pressure building in to block incoming systems, meaning the active weather could continue.
“It will be hard to forecast total precipitation amounts with each system as they are slow-moving and not being steered by a fast-moving jet stream,” Allegretto wrote.
Still, current model runs suggest meaningful moisture totals. OpenSnow projections indicate up to 2 to 3 inches of precipitation near the Sierra crest over a 12-day period.
“Snow levels will be a pain to forecast as well,” Allegretto wrote.
His initial projections place snow levels above 8,000 feet Thursday into Friday, lowering to around 7,000 feet by Saturday and potentially dropping to base elevations by Sunday. Future systems could follow a similar pattern, with snow levels rising and falling depending on storm dynamics. As a result, precipitation at lower elevations will likely fall as rain at times.
At around 7,000 feet, current forecasts suggest roughly 10 inches of snowfall by April 20, though rain may mix in. At 8,000 feet, totals could reach up to 20 inches, while areas near 8,800 feet — such as Granite Chief — could see close to 30 inches.
He cautioned that these projections rely on averages and remain subject to change, particularly for storms beyond the five-day forecast window.
“All that we know for now is that we look to be heading into a colder and unsettled pattern for a while,” Allegretto wrote.
Sunny, mild conditions are expected to persist through Wednesday, with daytime highs climbing to around 60 degrees at lake level, the 50s across lower and mid-mountain elevations, and 40s at higher elevations.
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Clean Up The Lake (CUTL) announced the release of its Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Video Identification Toolkit, a high-resolution, field-ready resource designed to help divers, shoreline users, and water professionals accurately identify invasive species in Lake Tahoe and freshwater systems worldwide.
Thanks to the support of The Martis Fund, Martis Camp Foundation and 3 separate funds held at The Tahoe Community Foundation, the organization developed this toolkit for users both underwater and above the surface. This new resource supports early detection and prevention by making species identification more accessible to a wide audience; from scientific divers and agency staff to educators, environmental volunteers, and the general public.
Underwater camera filming on DPVProvided / CUTL
“Aquatic invasive species are among the most significant ecological threats facing Lake Tahoe. Once introduced, these species can spread rapidly, disrupting nearshore habitats, altering food webs, and contributing to long-term declines in water clarity and biodiversity” said Jenny Uvira, CUTL Programs Manager. She added “This resource is a new tool on our regional belt to support that effort in the Tahoe basin and abroad to protect our underwater environment.”
A Cinematic Approach to a Visual Challenge
“The inspiration behind the toolkit was to bring film and television level cinematography and image quality into a field that is inherently visual: identifying species based on how they look in real conditions” said CUTL Founder & CEO Colin West.
Existing identification resources developed by agencies and research partners have been foundational to AIS management, yet many rely solely on imagery and text. West added,”We saw an opportunity to build on that strong foundation by introducing high-resolution, motion-based visuals that reflect how species are actually encountered underwater by dive contractors and citizen scientists alike”.
Filmed in 6K–8K resolution, the Toolkit combines studio-controlled macro cinematography with real-world underwater footage captured by CUTL’s scientific dive team. This approach allows viewers to:
See fine morphological detail up close, including subtle features used for identification, captured both in studio settings on land and in macro footage filmed as deep as 50 feet in Lake Tahoe.
Understand how species appear and movein their natural environment, where divers and survey teams are often the first line of detection
Experience a level of clarity and perspective that helps users recognize not just shape, but texture, movement, and context
Have academically sourced and verified species information curated by an environmental scientist on both habitat and morphological ID characteristics to support these visuals
By bridging cinematic production with scientific application, the Toolkit enhances existing efforts and provides an additional layer of clarity for those working to protect freshwater ecosystems.
Phase One of the AIS Video Toolkit & Species Included
Phase One of this toolkit documents key invasive species established in Lake Tahoe and other nearby lakes including Eurasian watermilfoil, Curlyleaf pondweed, freshwater invasive clams (AKA: Asian clams), the New Zealand mudsnail, and signal crayfish—alongside the notorious high-risk golden mussel for early detection awareness. CUTL Operations Manager Klemen Robnik who helped set up logistics for filming all these species, said “The resource also includes native species comparisons, including richardson’s pondweed, elodea (waterweed), coontail, ramshorn snail, and the western
pearlshell mussel”. He further noted that these are included to improve identification accuracy and reduce misreporting. Designed for real-world application, the Toolkit combines wide-angle habitat context shots and information, mid-range views of species in their habitat underwater showing natural movement of both freshwater animal and plant species, and macro-level detail of morphological features both underwater and filmed in a studio setting. By complementing existing resources, it supports consistent identification, reinforces Clean, Drain, Dry practices, and strengthens coordination across agencies, researchers, and the broader global scientific community.
Project Support
This project was made possible through the generous support of The Martis Fund and Martis Camp Foundation, along with funding from the Community Impact Fund, Ashley Quinn Fund, and the Foresight Fund, all held at the Tahoe Community Foundation. “We are grateful to our partners for believing in us enough to bring this new idea to life and to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency for their support in providing a number of specimen samples used for studio filming” West concluded. Clean Up The Lake hopes to build on this innovative resource and continue growing it in the coming years to help reinforce the fight against aquatic invasive species here in the Tahoe basin and abroad.
RENO, Nev. — Spring has already arrived in Nevada, and with several days of temperatures reaching into the high 80s in some areas, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) is reminding residents that bears are already out of their dens.
With snowpack still in the mountains, many bears will likely move down into lower elevations as they emerge, often following creeks to the fresh green grasses as they search for natural food sources. As they travel, neighborhoods are often some of the first places they pass through.
Now is a good time to take a look around your home and make sure a bear will not see your property as a food source. A few simple steps can make a big difference in preventing conflicts and keeping bears wild.
Start with garbage
About 90% of bear calls are related to unsecured trash. Securing and making garbage containers bear-resistant is the single-most effective thing you can do to prevent bears from viewing your home as a rewarding place with a free high-calorie meal.
Waste Management and Douglas Disposal offer bear-resistant garbage cans that can be left out. Residents can request one by calling (775) 329-8822, (775) 343-7596 for Carson City, or (775) 782-5713 for Douglas Disposal. In the meantime, store non-bear-resistant garbage cans in a locked metal shed or garage and only put them out the morning of trash pickup.
Washoe County, Carson City and Douglas County have garbage ordinances that require residents to secure their trash to prevent bears from accessing it. Failure to do so can result in fines.
Repeated violations can be reported to local code enforcement at (775) 328-6101 for Washoe County, (775) 887-2599 for Carson City and (775) 782-6214 for Douglas County.
Bears are drawn to bird feeders.Provided / BearWise
Pick fruit as soon as it is ripe and clean up fallen fruit from the ground. Electric fencing can be a good option around fruit trees if installed wide enough so fallen fruit lands inside the fenced area.
Remove other attractants from your yard, including pet food, dirty barbecues, trash and any other food or scented items.
As a precaution, remove food, trash and other scented items from vehicles. Keep windows up and doors locked when not in use.
Cub vs. yearling: What is the difference?
Residents may start to see young bears this time of year, and it is important to know the difference between cubs and yearlings.
Cubs are very small and are usually born in January or February while the female is denning. By spring, cubs are still small and stay very close to their mother. If you see a cub, the mother bear is very likely nearby, even if you cannot see her.
Yearlings are bears roughly 1 year old. They are larger than cubs, often similar to a medium- sized dog, and may sometimes be seen on their own. Yearlings are still learning natural behaviors and exploring new areas as they begin to spend more time on their own, which can sometimes bring them into neighborhoods as they search for food. If you see a cub or a yearling, give it plenty of space, secure attractants and never approach or feed a bear.
If you see a bear
If you see a bear near your home, haze it from a safe distance. From an open window or other safe location, yell loudly and bang pots and pans. Yelling things like “Hey bear,” “Go bear” or “Get out of here bear” alerts those around you to what is happening and helps reinforce that bears are not welcome in neighborhoods. You can also trigger your car alarm to scare them off. These actions help negatively condition bears so they learn to avoid people and homes.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) continues to prioritize student safety while encouraging healthy, active transportation. The district supports students riding bikes to school and throughout the community, recognizing the benefits for student wellness, independence, and connection to the local environment. At the same time, LTUSD emphasizes that safety is a shared responsibility among cyclists, families, and drivers.
At the August 28, 2025, Board of Education meeting, several community partners, including Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra, the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition, Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids (TASK), and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), voiced strong support for expanding student bike and e-bike safety education. In response, Superintendent Todd Cutler and the Board of Education prioritized this input and hosted a Community Conversation to gather additional feedback and ideas.
Following this engagement, Superintendent Cutler established the Superintendent’s Student Bike Safety Advisory Committee. Since fall 2025, the committee has met monthly to promote safer biking practices across LTUSD schools and throughout the South Lake Tahoe community.
The advisory committee has contributed to multiple initiatives, including reviewing Phase One bond project plans to identify opportunities for improving safe routes to South Tahoe Middle School (STMS) and Tahoe Valley Elementary School. The group also helped develop a pilot bike registration program at South Tahoe High School (STHS) and STMS, scheduled to launch on April 13, 2026.
In addition, committee members have collaborated with local elected officials and community organizations to strengthen regional coordination and advance bike safety efforts.
The Student Bike Safety Advisory Committee includes representatives from education, healthcare, planning, law enforcement, and local organizations:
Teresa Schow, Public Information Officer, LTUSD
Angela Ramirez, Senior Secretary, Facilities and Transportation, LTUSD
Chris Proctor, Community Benefit and Business Development, Barton Health
Kira Richardson, Senior Transportation Planner, TRPA
Cindy Martinez, Principal, STMS
Paul Loupe, Dean of Students, South Tahoe High School (STHS)
Peter Fink, Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition
Tasha Thomas, Teacher, Tahoe Valley Elementary School
Tim Peterson, School Resource Officer, STMS and STHS
Donaldo Palaroan, Senior Civil Engineer, County of El Dorado
Theresa Papandrea, Executive Director, TASK
Dr. Qureshi, Public Works Director, City of South Lake Tahoe
The committee will continue meeting to explore additional strategies to enhance bike safety across the region. Members share a common understanding that creating a safer environment for cyclists requires ongoing collaboration and shared responsibility.
As part of these efforts, LTUSD encourages all cyclists to follow the rules of the road and ride responsibly. Drivers are reminded to provide at least three feet of space when passing cyclists, reduce speed, and remain alert. Increased awareness and mutual respect help keep everyone safe.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — This week marks a new chapter for one of South Lake Tahoe’s most centrally located hotels as the former Holiday Inn Express South Lake Tahoe officially transitions into HiMark Hotel on April 2. While the name has changed, the doors remain open, welcoming guests today as the property begins its evolution into a boutique wellness-focused hotel.
HiMark Hotel is the latest project from Playpark Hospitality, with a long-term vision to create a stay that reflects the natural rhythm of Tahoe: calm, restorative, and grounded in its surroundings. Rather than a traditional resort model, the hotel is being reimagined as a place where rest, movement, and connection are thoughtfully integrated into the guest experience.
A rendering of HiMark’s exterior. Provided
“Our vision for HiMark is simple: people shouldn’t have to give up the habits and routines they care about just because they’re traveling,” said Mitchell Murray, CEO of Playpark Hospitality. “We’re creating a place where you can still prioritize how you want to feel—whether that’s movement, recovery, or eating well—while being somewhere as special as South Lake Tahoe.”
A Thoughtful Transformation, Phased Over Time
The property will undergo a multi-million-dollar renovation beginning later in 2026, with updates rolling out in three phases through 2028. This staged approach allows HiMark Hotel to remain open throughout the process, giving guests the opportunity to experience the evolution in real time.
Phase one will focus on transforming the lobby into a warm, inviting gathering space, replacing traditional layouts with comfortable lounge seating, a lobby bar, and expanded food and beverage offerings.
Phase two will introduce an expanded wellness component, including a dedicated spa and hydrotherapy circuit with features such as a cold plunge, sauna, and a new fitness center designed for both recovery and movement.
Phase three will complete the transformation with fully redesigned guest rooms, incorporating natural materials, calming textures, and layouts centered around rest and relaxation.
Open Now, With More to Come
While the long-term vision is ambitious, HiMark Hotel is fully operational today. Guests can expect clean, comfortable accommodations, along with a seasonal outdoor pool and hot tub, all within walking distance of Heavenly Village, the lake, dining, shopping, and year-round outdoor activities.
Investing in Sustainability and Community
As part of its early improvements, HiMark Hotel recently installed a solar energy system, reinforcing a commitment to more sustainable operations and reducing its environmental footprint.
The boutique hotel will also participate in Playpark Hospitality’s Stay With Purpose program, supporting local nonprofits and giving back to the South Lake Tahoe community. In addition, HiMark is already planning partnerships and sponsorships with local events and organizations throughout the year, further embedding the property into the fabric of the region.
“We see a real opportunity to invest in the community we’re part of,” Murray noted. “From supporting local nonprofits to partnering with youth programs and schools, we want HiMark to have a positive, lasting impact—not just for our guests, but for people like our employees who live and work here.”
A New Kind of Tahoe Stay
With its phased renovation approach, community focus, and long-term wellness vision, HiMark Hotel represents a different kind of hotel transformation—one that prioritizes intention over immediacy and invites guests to return as the experience continues to evolve.
Reservations are now open for 2026-2027 stays, with more updates to be shared as renovations progress.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Barton Health recognized Bradley Gray, MD, hospitalist at Barton Health, as its Physician of the Year. Selected through staff and peer nominations, the award recognizes Dr. Gray’s commitment to exceptional patient care and his vital role in supporting patients throughout their hospital stay.
“Dr. Gray exemplifies the kind of care we strive to provide at Barton Health. He combines clinical expertise with a collaborative, patient-first approach, ensuring every individual feels supported throughout their hospital stay,” said Dr. Kandra Yee, Barton Health’s Chief Medical Officer. “He is highly respected by both his colleagues and the patients he serves.”
Dr. Bradley GrayProvided
Those who work alongside Dr. Gray consistently highlight his compassion, communication, and collaborative approach to care:
“Dr. Gray is always so attentive and caring with our patients. He is always thorough and honest and the staff and patients really appreciate him. Gray is a doctor we can always rely on.”
“Dr. Gray is so deserving of this award. He is kind. He is empathetic. He listens to his patients. He is respectful. He is caring. No one more deserving this year”
“I’ve worked with Dr. Gray for years and I can’t emphasize enough how wonderful he is. Not only is he an excellent MD who is always up to date on the latest research, but his empathy and care for patients is unmatched. He sits with patients and listens intently and never cuts people short. Patients always feel heard and understood when he is around.”
Dr. Gray is a board-certified family medicine physician who earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
More information about Barton Health services, specialties, and quality and safety awards can be found at BartonHealth.org.
Welcome back to Ask Talie Jane where great design meets real life! I’m Talie, your go-to design insider, here to share tips, solve your space dilemmas, and help you create a home that’s both beautiful and functional.
Today’s hot topic: Open Concept vs. Defined Spaces—Is the open floor plan finally losing favor?
For more than two decades, open floor plans have dominated interior design, eliminating walls to combine kitchens, dining areas, and living spaces into one seamless environment. But lately, homeowners and designers alike are starting to ask: has open concept gone too far?
There’s no denying the appeal. Open layouts maximize natural light, make homes feel larger, and create an easy flow that’s perfect for entertaining and family life. It’s no surprise that “open-concept living” has long been a buzzword in real estate, often increasing both buyer interest and home value.
Designers are seeing a rise in “broken-plan” layouts.Provided / Talie Jane
But the way we live has changed and our homes are feeling it. With the rise of remote work, virtual meetings, and multi-generational households, the lack of privacy in open spaces has become a real challenge. Noise carries, distractions are constant, and finding a quiet place to focus can feel nearly impossible.
That’s where the shift begins. Designers are seeing a rise in “broken-plan” layouts, a smart middle ground that blends openness with intentional separation. Think partial walls, sliding doors, or defined zones that create flexibility without sacrificing flow. The goal? Separation without isolation.
There’s also a renewed appreciation for cozy, character-filled spaces. Defined rooms allow for more creativity, richer colors, layered textures, and distinct personalities that can get lost in a large, open room. Plus, there’s comfort in spaces that serve a clear purpose.
Still, open concept isn’t going anywhere. The future is all about balance: open sightlines paired with thoughtful divisions that support how we actually live today.
As our lifestyles evolve, so should our homes. It’s no longer about choosing open or closed, it’s about designing spaces that truly work for you.
Have a design or construction question? Send it to Natalie@TalieJaneInteriors.com, and you might see it answered right here in the next column.
Talie Jane is the Owner and Principal Designer of Talie Jane Interiors, an award-winning, full-service design firm serving the Lake Tahoe and Napa/Sonoma regions. She is also the co-owner of Talie Jane Construction, a design-driven general contracting firm specializing in luxury remodels.
Your nose plays a big role in how you breathe, perform, and feel. Rhinoplasty, often called a “nose job,” can do more than refine your appearance. It can help you breathe easier, boost confidence, and bring balance to your features.
Love Your Look
Cosmetic rhinoplasty focuses on how your nose complements the rest of your face. Whether you’re hoping to smooth a bump, refine the tip, or modify the width, your surgeon will work with you to design natural-looking results that enhance, not change, who you are. Goals include improving symmetry, adjusting nostril size or bridge width, or changing the profile.
Breathe Easier
Functional rhinoplasty can correct issues such as chronic stuffy nose or nasal obstruction by addressing structural causes inside the nose. For example, when the wall that separates the two sides of the nose, the septum, is bent or crooked, it can cause a blockage. Other issues that could be addressed are:
Enlargement of the structures inside the nose
Narrow nostrils or nasal valve collapse
Weakened cartilage in the nostrils or in the tip of the nose
Broken nose that causes poor breathing or nasal deformity
Many patients choose to combine functional and cosmetic improvements for both form and function in one procedure.
What to Expect
Rhinoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure performed under anesthesia. Depending on your needs, your surgeon may use a closed or open approach to reshape cartilage and bone and address any internal blockages. After surgery, most people wear a splint on top of their nose and stents in their nostrils for about a week. Sutures are also removed at that time. Bruising fades within two weeks, and swelling takes up to a year to resolve. Many patients are back to work, the gym, or the trail within 14 days.
Is Rhinoplasty Right for You?
If you’re curious about how rhinoplasty could improve your breathing or confidence, a consultation with a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon is the best first step. Together, you’ll create a personalized plan that fits your goals.
Kathleen Holoyda, MD is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon offering aesthetic, cosmetic, and reconstructive procedures in Lake Tahoe. To schedule a consultation from her offices in South Lake Tahoe and Incline Village, call 530.543.5799 or visit BartonHealth.org to learn more.
TAHOMA, Calif. – The California Tahoe Conservancy is implementing a project to improve forest health and wildfire resilience on 25 acres of public land in Tahoma in El Dorado County. By thinning the overcrowded forest and removing hazardous fuels, the project will help reduce wildfire risk for the surrounding neighborhoods.
This project includes 118 Conservancy properties, seven National Forest Lands properties, and 23 El Dorado County properties.
The contractor will mulch small-diameter trees, branches, and shrubs. Larger trees and branches will be cut into firewood rounds, available for free collection by members of the public who have completed a free Conservancy fuelwood collection permit. The permit is available at tahoe.ca.gov/fuelwood-permit.
The Conservancy project will create forest conditions that are more resilient to drought, disease, and insect outbreaks. The project will also result in reduced wildfire risk for the surrounding west shore neighborhoods and the California State Route 89 corridor.
The Conservancy plans forestry projects like these in coordination with the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, and in support of the goals of the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program. The lands included in this project are in the wildland-urban interface, where neighborhoods meet the forest. Lake Tahoe Basin partners identified these properties as priority treatment areas in the Tahoe Basin Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – On April 2, 2026, the South Tahoe Public Utility District (District) Board of Directors adopted updates to the water conservation ordinance to comply with California Assembly Bill 1572 (AB 1572). The ordinance addresses a statewide ban on the use of potable water (drinking water) to irrigate nonfunctional turf (grass) at commercial, industrial and institutional properties.
Nonfunctional turf is grass that is purely ornamental in nature and that is not used for recreation or community purposes. Under the ordinance, watering nonfunctional turf with potable water is prohibited:
State and local government properties starting January 1, 2027
Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties starting January 1, 2028
HOA common areas, mobile home parks, apartments, and other common interest developments starting January 1, 2029
The ban does not apply to single-family homes, cemeteries, or recreational spaces like parks and sports fields. Examples of nonfunctional turf include grass in medians, around office buildings, and parking lots.
To help customers with compliance, the District offers free site visits to assess compliance, and the turf buy back program to help replace lawn with a water-wise landscape.
Heavenly Mountain Resort will close its slopes on April 5Maya Duhl / Tahoe Daily Tribune
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – It’s been a formidable ski season in Tahoe as nine resorts close their slopes weeks ahead of schedule. Among them, Heavenly Mountain Resort will now be closing April 5 instead of their target closing date on April 19.
“We were hoping this storm would give us a little more this season,” said Shaydar Edelmann, Vice President and General Manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort in a post on their socials.
Although reports from the most recent storm cycle showed a promising boost in conditions for Kirkwood Mountain Resort and Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly didn’t receive enough snow to stretch their season to an April 19 closure.
“It’s no secret this ski and ride season had its challenges with warmer weather and lower snowfall totals,” said Cole Zimmerman, Senior Manager of Communications at Heavenly Mountain Resort. “Even so, there were plenty of bright spots. From two massive storms that brought us some of the best skiing in the country, to high-energy events, aprés DJ sets, and the views and vibes we all know and love at Heavenly, we had a blast celebrating our 70th anniversary.”
Their plans to close the season out with a bang include inviting folks to come and enjoy the last weekend of their 70th season at Rockstar Bar for their Closing Day parties on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5. The Heavenly Gondola will remain open through April 19.
“Above all, we are grateful to our employees for their passion and guest commitment, and to our guests for joining us throughout the winter,” Zimmerman told the Tribune. “Every ski and ride season is a little different, and we embrace that. Thanks for a great season – we can’t wait to welcome our guests back for summer!”
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s (TRPA) hearing on Thursday showed that the property owners are willing to work with the public and retain their access to the “Pie Shop Boulders” through their site. However, the hearing officer determined that the site would not receive a special zoning.
The Pie Shop Boulders are accessible through the property on 1663 Sawmill Road, which has been privately owned since at least 1963. However, because it has been vacant and undeveloped, the public has accessed the site to climb the boulders since the 1970s, if not earlier.
During the hearing, the officer noted that over 70 comments were received from the public. TRPA attorney Jack Mensik said the legal team determined that they do not have the legal authority to require the applicant to provide public access to the 20% of boulders that would be on the private land.
Stephanie Davis and Glen Majszak shared their sentiments about the site during the hearing. “When we sold our small place on Kingsbury Grade back in 2016, we remained on the lookout for the perfect place, because we knew that Tahoe is where we always wanted to be,” said Davis. “We bought the land in good faith. We deeply respect the natural beauty that’s around… and we have no intention of preventing climbers from passing through our property.”
Andy Edwards, treasurer and representative of the Tahoe Climbing Coalition, asked about if the TRPA would consult with the community given the special use designation for the site. TRPA’s code did not require the single-family home to get an environmental review, and the parcel did not trigger anything under their environmental checklist for restricting access to public lands.
Edwards expressed that the TRPA process was lacking pieces that could have allowed better public input.
LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – The Trump administration announced Tuesday it will relocate the U.S. Forest Service headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, marking a sweeping reorganization of one of the nation’s federal land management agencies.
The move is part of a broader overhaul by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that includes closing research facilities in 31 states and restructuring the agency under a new “state-based model.” Instead of its current regional system, the Forest Service would be led by 15 directors overseeing one or more states.
Officials framed the decision as a “common sense” shift aimed at aligning leadership more closely with the lands they manage. The U.S. Forest Service oversees nearly 200 million acres of land, about 90% of which is located in western states.
“Effective stewardship and active management are achieved on the ground, where forests and communities are found — not just behind a desk in the capital,” Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said.
The change mirrors a similar effort during Trump’s first term, when the Bureau of Land Management was moved from Washington, D.C., to Colorado in 2019. That transition led to significant staff losses, with nearly 90% of Washington-based employees declining to relocate, according to reporting by The Washington Post. The agency’s headquarters was later returned to Washington under the Biden administration.
Conservation groups argue the plan could weaken the agency’s capacity at a time of increasing environmental challenges.
“Simply put, this reorganization will wreak havoc on Forest Service management and organization,” said Josh Hicks, conservation campaigns director at The Wilderness Society.
The Forest Service already has a largely decentralized workforce — roughly 90% of employees are based outside the capital, according to Mountain Journal.
“This administration’s plan to dismantle a 120-year-old agency will mean less access to the public forests people rely on, less capacity to reduce intensifying wildfire risk and more threats to clean air, clean water and wildlife habitat,” said Hicks in a statement.
Although Utah will serve as the agency’s new headquarters, it ranks 11th nationally in national forest coverage, with about 14,300 square miles.
CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA IMPACT
The Forest Service manages vast tracts of public land across the country, including significant holdings in California and Nevada. For example, Tahoe National Forest encompasses more than 850,000 acres of federally managed land. With the reorganization, the two states will see significant changes.
In California, Placerville will serve as the California–Hawaii State Office and will also host an operational service center, while a national training center is planned for Vallejo. However, the reorganization will shutter the state’s Research and Development facilities in Anderson, Fresno, Chico, Fort Bragg, Mt. Shasta and Hat Creek.
Nearby, Reno’s Research and Development facility will also close, with its state operations relocating to Salt Lake City, which will serve as the new Utah–Nevada State Office.
An asterisk (*) indicates a location that will serve more than one facility function (for example, a State Office combined with an Operations Service Center or technical center).Provided / U.S Department of Agriculture
The administration has described the restructuring as a “commonsense approach,” but opponents view it as part of a broader effort to reduce the influence and effectiveness of federal land agencies — raising concerns about long-term impacts on public lands, wildfire management and conservation efforts nationwide.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins added that the relocation is expected to be completed by summer 2027.
A series of No Kings protests at the lake and in Truckee attracted almost 1,500 people.
The protests around the area were staggered to allow people to attend multiple events. They started in Tahoe City at 11 a.m., then in Kings Beach two hours later, followed by one at the Victory Highway Eagle statue in downtown Truckee, and ending along Donner Pass Road in front of Safeway for the largest gathering.
The No Kings protest in Tahoe/Truckee was one of more than 3,000 demonstrations held across all 50 states, drawing over 8 million participants nationwide, according to national No Kings organizers.
“In Truckee, the final protest drew an estimated crowd of more than 1,200 people,” said No Kings local organizer Cyan Samone. “We used real crowd counters to get an accurate number.”
Tahoe/Truckee locals who have consistently protested since President Donald Trump’s reelection gather with unique handmade signs. Photo by Julian Bennett
Crowd counters are a hand-held device that helps tally the number of people at events.
People of all ages and backgrounds lined the streets, holding handmade signs, waving to passing cars, and drawing honks of support from drivers. Some signs were humorous, others pointed and direct, but all reflected a shared desire for change.
With his dog by his side, Truckee resident Lou Haggerty holds a handmade sign during the No Kings protest on March 28. Photo by Julian Bennett
“It makes me emotional seeing more people join the cause with each protest,” said Julian McNab, who has been attending weekly protests in Truckee since President Trump was reelected.
While each participant had their own reason for attending the No Kings protest, many shared a common frustration with the current administration.
“We should value ethics, proof, and science,” said Tom Deurloo, a 67-year-old Truckee local. “Our current administration doesn’t share these values.”
For Deanna Marsh, a 53-year-old Truckee resident, the protests are about protecting fundamental rights and freedoms. She said she began attending protests after concerns grew over women’s bodily autonomy following Trump’s reelection.
“I didn’t grow up reciting ‘liberty and justice for all’ to do nothing now,” said Marsh.
For many immigrants in attendance, that call to action was personal, as they voiced concerns over federal immigration policies and ICE raids.
California 89’s booth next to the eagle statue in downtown Truckee had T-shirts for sale with a strongly worded message. All proceeds are donated to the Immigration Law Center of Minnesota. Photo by Julian Bennett
“As a Mexican girl growing up in America, I want an actual future to look forward to,” said 17-year-old Truckee local Zoey Carrillo.
Alongside personal concerns, some attendees pointed to the protest’s broader message.
“The No Kings protest is a peaceful way to show the world we care,” long-time Truckee resident Tom Jackson said.
A young girl shows her support for the No Kings protest dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Ella Clifford/Moonshine Ink
The No Kings protest in Truckee was a joyful one, helped along by music from a small marching band, the Singing Resistance group, and a few participants dressed up in blow-up costumes, like a sloth and unicorn.
Local businesses also played a role in supporting the movement. Family-owned California 89 stepped forward early on, looking for ways to contribute. The company created T-shirts with bold messaging intended to be worn at rallies and beyond. One hundred percent of the “F*ck Ice” T-shirt proceeds are donated to the Immigration Law Center of Minnesota, according to Ethan Gotts, one of the owners of California 89.
For some longtime residents, the protest was a reminder of the strength found in collective action.
“Power in numbers means we are united,” said Denny Lotts, a retired first-grade teacher.
That sense of unity was evident throughout the day as participants stood side by side advocating for issues important to them.
Protesters line the roadside with handmade signs, drawing honks and waves from passing drivers during the March 28 No Kings protest.
While many were residents of the Truckee/Tahoe region, tourists also took notice.
“It’s good to see a community rally,” said a visiting family passing through the sea of homemade signs. “It is small but mighty.”
Local business owners echoed that sense of unity.
“It benefits the community,” said the owner of Cabona’s, Stefanie Olivieri. “Strength in numbers creates a feeling of solidarity.”
As the afternoon came to a close, the crowds slowly dispersed, but the message remained clear — whether local or visiting, many in Truckee felt compelled to show up, speak out, and stand together.
Missing teeth are a big problem for a lot of adults. In fact, statistics show that almost 70% of adults between the age of 35 to 44 years in the United States have at least one missing tooth. So if you are missing a tooth you are not alone. A large portion of the middle-aged U.S. population is suffering from the effects of missing teeth such as loss of enjoyment of food, avoiding social situations, and loss of self-esteem. Dentures, or false teeth, were the main tooth replacement choice for years, we now have implants available to give people back missing teeth. As the only board certified oral surgery group in the Lake Tahoe Basin, Tahoe Oral Surgery and Implant Center with Drs. Rachel Appelblatt and Mori Naftulin are your local experts for tooth replacement.
Implants:
Implants can be used to replace individual teeth or multiple teeth. An implant is most frequently a titanium screw that is placed into the jawbone into the location of a tooth root. Drs. Appelblatt and Naftulin frequently place implants to replace a single missing tooth. Sometimes we are even able to place the implant the day the tooth comes out (an “immediate implant”) but oftentimes the site requires grafting to have adequate bone for implant placement after healing. Of note – in most cases the top part of the tooth isn’t secured until the implant has fully healed – which does take a few months. Patients usually wear a temporary tooth during that healing period. It is important to have an oral surgeon evaluate the area prior to having a tooth out if you are thinking about an implant.
What do I do if I am losing all my teeth?
First – know that you do not have to be without teeth while going through this process. We generally will have your general dentist make a set of immediate or temporary dentures that you wear during the early healing phases.
There are several different options for patients who are faced with the loss of all of their teeth.
Traditional dentures – are an acrylic teeth replacement that is kept in the mouth by suction or adhesive. These generally do look esthetically pleasing and are the least expensive way of replacing teeth.
The downside is that they are not firmly affixed to the jaw and can be dislodged during eating, and many people dislike that they cover the whole palate.
After traditional dentures we can offer two types of “full arch replacements” that involve implants; overdentures and an implant supported bridge (which is also known as an “all-on-X”).
Overdentures replace missing teeth, like traditional dentures, but aren’t secured with adhesive. Instead, overdentures are secured to implants which have specific fasteners to prevent movement of the denture. This means that dentures no longer fall out and with an upper denture the palate doesn’t need to be covered. Depending on the situation, 2 to 4 implants are placed in the jaw and after healing, attachments are secured to the implants and to the denture for a precise, snap-in fit. This works very well for many patients and is a cost effective way of significantly improving function over traditional dentures.
Implant supported bridges (“All-on-Xs”) are an option for individuals missing many or all of their teeth. Unlike dentures or overdentures, the replacement teeth are fully fixed to the jaw giving the closest replacement for natural teeth. Four or more implants are typically placed in the upper and lower jaw. In the right cases, teeth can be extracted, implants placed, and a temporary implant supported bridge can be installed in the same day. This is often called “Teeth in a Day” or an “All-on-X” and has the immediate satisfaction of having fixed replacement teeth in a single day. Drs. Rachel Appelblatt and Mori Naftulin are experts at performing these procedures and are happy to consult patients on all of their options.
Each person is unique and has distinct requirements for their tooth replacement needs. However, just because someone may be missing one, many, or all of their teeth doesn’t mean they must use dentures and forego the enjoyments of what a full set of teeth can offer. With the advancements of dental implant technology, replacing one, several, or all teeth can help improve overall quality of life. If you are interested in a consultation to see what tooth replacement option may best fit your needs, contact Tahoe Oral Surgery and Implant Center to schedule your consultation with Drs. Appelblatt and Naftulin.
LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – A $298 million financing package may soon change the state of the Cal Neva. The historic venue is one of a handful of major properties at North Tahoe’s state line that once welcomed visitors, but are now boarded and fenced, creating somewhat of a hospitality desert there.
Colorado-based real estate investment and development firm, Realberry, along with hospitality management company, Proper Hospitality, announced the recent closure of the large financial deal on April 2.
100 years after it first opened, the financial package marks a new chapter for the Cal Neva, set to open under a new name in 2027 as the Lake Tahoe Proper Resort and Casino.
The name is on brand with other Proper Hospitality brand hotels in Santa Monica, Downtown Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin.
The resort and casino will include 197 guest rooms, suites and private villas, two pools, a spa, recreational facilities, meeting and event spaces. The owners are incorporating the Cal Neva’s iconic circle bar as an anchor for the resort’s other bars and multiple restaurants.
At its peak in the 1960s, the Cal Neva drew many Hollywood names, including Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., as well as political figures like John F. Kennedy. Rumors still swirl in local gossip mills about what happened at the location where private tunnels add to the mystery.
The Cal Neva, which closed in 2013 for renovations, was also known for its showroom, designed for performers to see every face in the crowd. It was the largest non-amplified theater of its time. Plans include restoring the 225-seat theater.
Since its closure in 2013, the once lively place has had a rocky ride, passing through hands via bankruptcy court and other transactions.
It came into the current ownership’s hands in 2023.
“Cal Neva is one of the most storied hospitality properties in the West, and we feel a deep responsibility to get the execution right with Lake Tahoe Proper,” said Chad McWhinney, CEO of Realberry.
Realberry and Proper Hospitality envision a full-scale restoration to preserve the property’s architectural character and cultural significance, while transforming it into a design-driven destination. Los Angeles-based designer, Kelly Wearstler, is taking the lead on that design, a global name who has taken point on other Proper brand hotels and a Four Seasons.
A significant portion of the funds ($223 million) comes in C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing, a low-cost financing mechanism for projects tied to energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy projects.
“It’s exciting to see the Lake Tahoe Proper team take advantage of C-PACE financing to improve the resort’s energy efficiency,” said Brian Beffort, Washoe County Sustainability Manager. “These investments will help reduce energy use and lower their energy bills. More importantly, these investments will reduce dangerous emissions, which in turn will keep air quality healthier and views more beautiful in the Tahoe basin.”
This is the first transaction of this type in Washoe County and the largest in Nevada.
The remaining $75 million in the financing packages is a construction loan from Banc of California.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Republican candidate Christine Bish announced her plan to run for the House seat in the new congressional district CA-03. Bish previously ran against incumbent Democrat Ami Bera in CA-06, and her connections to Tahoe, Pollock Pines and Sacramento are what she says makes her a perfect fit for the race.
Bish works as a real estate agent in Sacramento, though she has longstanding connections with Lake Tahoe, where she used to work at her mother’s restaurant. “It’s great to come home,” she said—something she doesn’t take lightly. Bish says she experienced homelessness as a child, living in a car until they eventually settled in Del Paso Heights.
“My mother was the first woman in my family who was born with the right to vote. And now, me—a homeless little girl from Del Paso Heights is running for Congress,” said Bish, “That’s amazing, isn’t it?”
Her experience as a real estate agent and skip tracer is what she believes makes her a great “boots on the ground” candidate who is embedded and connected with her community. It’s also what has embroiled her in an investigation on Senator Adam Schiff regarding mortgage fraud. Bish says that fraud could have also led to election, wire and tax fraud.
Bish’s entrance into the political sphere came from frustration with her then-representative Doris Matsui, who she said never responded to her requests to investigate a groundwater and well contamination issue that directly impacted her neighborhood.
“We all want to be heard,” said Bish. “That’s the job of a representative. And when I saw Matsui on television, I realized, ‘You don’t want this job. So, I want that job.'” Her involvement in politics came from an environmental and public health perspective, which she feels are issues that often push people into politics, especially after COVID-19 impacted people’s lives so drastically.
While Bish is running as a Republican, she says she is tired of both sides. “They think the voters are their servants. But we can’t continue with chaos, and we need people who can do the job.”
Bish had critiques for Kevin Kiley, who she felt was throwing a “temper tantrum” after attempting to switch districts, run against a Republican and filing as no party preference. “In CA-06, we didn’t like being his last choice.” She also felt he often ignored the mountain regions, citing a storm incident where she felt Kiley could have done more to close roads and prevent traffic from overwhelming Pollock Pines.
The new redistricting from Proposition 50 gave Bish a chance to represent the many areas that she feels passionate about. “This is one of the most important refuges for the environment,” said Bish, stating that she would establish an office in the region if she won. “Now, people are going to see how important the mountains are.”
Bish believes Bera also lacks the context for running in the district, while Heidi Hall lacks the care for other agencies, critiquing that Hall had not even sent a representative to a large annual Area 4 Agency on Aging meeting. According to Bish, she was the only Congressional candidate to attend their meeting in the last 14 years.
Bish’s major platforms include environmental conservation, social security and veteran protections, parent rights in education, a pro-life stance and barring illegal immigration. She says, “Everything in my platform is about life and passions.”
While Bish says she is a major supporter of legal immigration, she said, “I will not accept the excuse for what’s happening at our borders.” Bish’s daughter died from a fentanyl overdose, and she says illegal immigration and the open border policy provide a cover for dangerous drug trafficking.
Her experience as a parent is also why she is passionate about education in California, where she says teaching diversity and equity (or DEI) policies is creating division in schools. She advocates for parent rights in education to produce a less adversarial relationship between teachers and parents, along with a reduction of technology and strict programming. “Education should be a place to foster the unique gifts of children, not putting them in boxes.”
Unusually, Bish was previously endorsed by the Log Cabin Republicans, an LGBT Republican group. Though she says that transgender ideologies are “teaching people to hate themselves,” and believes marriage is between a man and a woman, she also expressed support for gay people living their lives normally.
She was also endorsed by the American Independent Party, Moms for America Action, Peter Kuo (who served as vice chair for the California Republican Party) and Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost.
Bish’s strong stance about protecting the environment and ensuring clean water, along with her personal connection to both Pollock Pines and Tahoe is what she feels will make her a strong candidate here. Even prior to running in CA-03, Bish actually visited the local chapter of the Republican Women of California.
“The campaign is an interview process, and I have to be transparent if I’m applying for a job that requires you to be truthful,” said Bish. “If there’s a group that wants me to come up here, invite me up and let’s talk. And ask the hard questions—if I can’t answer them now, then you probably don’t want me as your candidate.”
Bish’s total receipts for her campaign are $58,592, with $17,718 in total contributions. The ending cash on hand is $38,723 with $38,645 in debts/loans owed by her committee. “Always be aware, you’re spending other people’s money,” said Bish.
“Everything a politician does affects our lives,” said Bish. “This is a real opportunity and I’m excited to run in Lake Tahoe, which I’m so passionate about and connected to. What happens here in this district affects the rest of California.”
You can read more about Bish’s platform and information at bishforcongress.com
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – After a flurry of snow in February melted away for a mostly warm March, Tahoe’s snowpack is lower than usual this year, though it’s at relatively normal precipitation levels for the year. Despite a small cold front passing through in early April, it’s shaping up to be a potentially drier summer with higher fire risks.
Having a long-lasting snowpack is key for ensuring consistent water access throughout the year. As it melts, it provides water through some of the driest months of the year. The Sierra Nevada’s snowpack supplies roughly 30% of water throughout California, and while rainfall to date is currently at 104% of the average precipitation, earlier melting snowpacks can lead to different issues.
Regional scientist at the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Sarah Campe said, “Researchers are still learning the nuances around low precipitation years and snowpack, but we know precipitation may run off if the snow doesn’t stick.”
Campe went on, “When the snow melts too soon, sometimes it can lead to potential flooding, especially if there is a high snowpack. However, this year, there are more concerns around dryness and potential drought, as well as higher fire risk.”
These more variable years of snow and precipitation are primarily driven by climate change, says Tom Krabacher, professor of geography and climate at Sacramento State. “What happened this year was very exceptional,” he said.
“The rainy season started earlier than usual, but there was not a lot of precipitation since January—followed by an unprecedented warm spell in February and March that was well above anything we’ve really seen at this time of year,” continued Krabacher.
While reservoirs are still at capacity through the rest of the state, the weather variations may certainly impact wildlife, who rely on light and temperature patterns to regulate their lives. But throughout the West, Krabacher says there’s been dryness and drought, in part due to these major weather shifts.
Precipitation across the West is typically coming from a western direction, from the Gulf of Alaska, off of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. But it’s been disrupted by ridges—characterized by dry weather, clear skies and high pressure. This persistent ridge has been termed the “Ridiculously Resilient Ridge”, when similar weather patterns were observed in 2012 to 2015.
Right now, warm oceanic temperatures and higher rainfall earlier in the jet stream are strengthening the ridge. While a small trough is expected to travel through this week, bringing some snow and a cooler stretch of weather, Krabacher said it’s unlikely to last.
Warmer patches of weather also cause precipitation to fall as rain rather than snow. And like in February, if ground temperatures are fairly warm, the snow may not even stick around, melting before much else happens.
Up in the mountains, land restoration is a big part of trying to conserve hydrologic patterns. For example, recent research in the Cascades shows that tree treatments may both increase fire resilience and help snowpack stick around longer.
Meadows also serve as “hydrologic lynchpins” according to Campe, as they help control the flow of water through an area, slowing release into the environment for the warmer months, when less rainfall occurs.
Without snow sticking around, forests are likely to become drier, increasing the vulnerability to pests, drought stress and fires. “The bottom line is it’s worrisome to have low snowpack and a warm winter,” said Campe.
However, Campe and Krabacher agree that the work on the ground is key to addressing these concerns. While humans can’t alter major weather patterns, the way we respond to them can produce more resiliency for our environment.
“There is a concern around unpredictability among climatologists. Although we may not be able to predict far into the future, we still feel the effects,” said Krabacher. “There is a likely effect of drought that the Department of Water Resources is looking at scenarios for. What is becoming important is the response on the ground and preparations for increasingly dry conditions.”
For example, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy is helping to fund landscape conservation across multiple organizations, along with investing in work for avoiding catastrophes. “Our best bet is to create healthy ecosystems to withstand stressors,” said Campe. “This type of work to protect communities is necessary in both unusual and ‘normal’ years as we see the impacts of climate change unfold.”
“What goes on in the mountains is important down here, especially as areas of California get a greater and greater percentage of water from the snowpack,” said Krabacher. “We’ve got a vested interest in what is happening up there because it affects us.”
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – The white and green-trimmed clock greets an average of 50,000 visitors each year as they enter the front doors of Travel North Tahoe Nevada’s Welcome Center. The interior that greets guests on the other side of those doors will soon look different once the current remodel is complete.
The Welcome Center is currently undergoing a remodel.TNTNV President and CEO Andy Chapman
“Knowing that the building is going to be seen by a lot of tourists,” remodel architect Dale E. Smith, at Smith Design Group, explained, “I wanted it to be an excellent representation of North Tahoe.”
Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) felt the best way to do that was to hire local companies that are not only familiar with North Tahoe, but can also keep dollars circulating in the local economy.
“Visitor-generation funds should directly benefit our community whenever possible,” said Andy Chapman, President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada, “and what better way to do that than with companies who understand this region, employ local workers, and are working with local subcontractors to bring this vision to life.”
After moving to Incline Village on June 19, 1978, a date he can recall offhand, Smith’s work is now scattered across Incline Village, South Lake Tahoe, and Northern Nevada as he approaches 50 years as an architect in the region.
Smith was selected for the project, along with locals Rob Laurie and John Albrecht, partners at Fortress Construction, who grew up in Incline Village and have operated their business here since 2003.
Smith, Laurie, and Albrecht all remember when the building was built in 1989.
“To now be part of a project that will enhance this community asset for generations to come is truly special,” Laurie said.
The remodel includes opening up the space, along with other design updates, and functionality improvements to enhance services offered to guests and residents as a community hub.
“I think when people walk in,” Smith said, “they’re going to smile.”
The renovated space is planned to reopen in May.
Welcome Center and administrative offices have temporarily relocated to 937 Tahoe Boulevard, Suite 150.Provided / TNTNV President and CEO Andy Chapman
Until then, TNTNV’s Welcome Center and administrative offices have temporarily relocated to 937 Tahoe Boulevard, Suite 150. The temporary Welcome Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Signage directs guests to the new location.
Three Ways to Plan a Walkable Meeting Near Tahoe Blue Event Center
When your attendees can move from keynote to cocktails without waiting on a shuttle, everything clicks a little more easily. And when the lake is just down the block, even the space between agenda items starts to feel like part of the experience instead of time lost in transit.
That’s what makes meetings in South Lake Tahoe stand out. Tahoe Blue Event Center gives planners a flexible, state-of-the-art home base for conferences, conventions, sporting events, and large-scale gatherings, all within a walkable entertainment district filled with hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and lake views.
Below are example pairings based on planners’ most frequently requested event needs. The beauty of Tahoe’s ultra-walkable district is that these plans are simply starting points. Hotels, dining, and after-hours experiences can be mixed and matched to create the flow that fits your group best.
Option 1: Closest to the Action
Best for: Tight agendas, limited walking, and schedules that need everything right there.
Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe and Bally’s Lake Tahoe Resort Casino put your attendees just steps from Tahoe Blue Event Center, making them especially convenient for expo-heavy programs, general sessions, and packed agendas where every minute matters. When people can get from their room to the venue in just a couple of minutes, the whole day feels easier.
Perfect pairings include:
Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe: 500+ rooms, about a 2-minute walk from Tahoe Blue Event Center
Bally’s Lake Tahoe Resort Casino: 430 rooms, about a 2-minute walk and shares a parking lot with the event center
Ciera Steak + Chophouse: A AAA Four Diamond Award-winning steakhouse option for a more elevated group dinner
The Oyster Bar: A choice seafood spot inside Golden Nugget that adds variety without sacrificing convenience
Lucky Beaver Bar & Burger: A casual late-night option that’s open 24/7, perfect for your night-owls and early-risers.
Option 2: Dining, Nightlife, and Built-In Energy
Best for: Multi-track meetings, flexible agendas, and groups that want built-in dining and after-hours options.
Maybe you want walkability, but you also want more built into the experience. More breakout flexibility. More dining options. More ways for the evening to keep going once the badges come off.
Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe and Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino make that kind of setup easy. Both are within a short walk of Tahoe Blue Event Center, giving planners room to build an event that feels connected without feeling confined. This is a great approach for meetings with layered agendas, multiple session types, or groups that want after-hours options baked right into the destination.
Perfect pairings include:
Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe: 400 suites, about an 8-minute walk from Tahoe Blue Event Center
Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe: 742 rooms, about a 7-minute walk from Tahoe Blue Event Center
Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen Lake Tahoe: Perfect for a splashy hosted dinner
Wolf by Vanderpump: A stylish choice for VIP dinners or high-energy evenings
Lake Tahoe AleworX and Noel’s Apothecary: Go-to nightlife spots for post-event socializing without adding transportation to the mix
This option gives attendees options while keeping everyone in the same orbit. It lets your event expand naturally without losing that all-together feel.
Option 3: Lake-Centered Experiences
Best for: Executive gatherings, incentive-style programs, and events that want more of Tahoe built into the experience.
If you want attendees to feel Tahoe in a bigger way, consider staying nearby at The Landing Resort & Spa or Edgewood Tahoe Resort. Both keep Tahoe Blue Event Center close, but position the lake front and center in your overall program.
These properties are a natural fit for executive retreats, incentives, and programs with welcome receptions, VIP moments, or built-in scenic downtime. Edgewood delivers a luxury experience with direct lake access and golf course views, while The Landing offers a boutique, lakeside setting with a quieter, more intimate feel. As the furthest walk on this list, The Landing pairs well with Lake Link, Tahoe’s free on-demand shuttle, for easy transfers.
Perfect pairings include:
Edgewood Tahoe Resort: 154 rooms plus villas, about an 11-minute walk from Tahoe Blue Event Center
The Landing Resort & Spa: 82 rooms, approximately a 15-20 minute walk to Tahoe Blue Event Center. Lake Link recommended for some groups
JWB Prime Steak and Seafood: An upscale option for hosted dinners or executive groups
Lakeside Dining: California-inspired cuisine on the waterfront and on property at The Landing Resort.
Brooks’ Bar & Deck: A relaxed lake-and-golf-course atmosphere with unmistakable Tahoe character
This is where business and backdrop start to blur in the best way. A morning session can lead to a lakeside lunch. A productive day can end with sunset views and a dinner your attendees will actually remember.
A Smarter Way to Plan in South Lake Tahoe
Regardless of what you choose, South Lake Tahoe makes it easier to create meetings that feel connected, attendee-friendly, and distinctly elevated. Tahoe Blue Event Center gives you the anchor. The surrounding hotels, restaurants, and after-hours options help everything else fall into place.
Start your RFP with the Visit Lake Tahoe meetings team and plan a walkable agenda around Tahoe Blue Event Center for your next South Shore event.
At around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, an aircraft traveling from the Monterey Regional Airport to the Truckee Tahoe Airport crashed southwest of Olympic Valley in the Five Lakes area between White Wolf and Granite Chief Wilderness.
The pilot, killed in the crash, was the only person on board. The six-seat plane, a 1973 Beechcraft 36 Bonanza single-engine piston aircraft, was registered to James Wholey from Saratoga. Wholey is registered as the co-owner.
According to the Truckee Tahoe Airport, the aircraft was hangered at the airport. The accident occurred outside the Truckee airport’s airspace. The main investigators are the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.
CHP Air Operations out of Auburn and Care Flight performed the initial aerial search,
and Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue was deployed to help with the rescue.
What’s with the lack of snow this winter in Truckee/Tahoe, and will it change the business of snow down the line?
These questions typically surface every time there’s a relatively warm winter, and/or one with little snow, and that has certainly been the case for winter 2025/26. Compared the 1991 to 2020 stretch of measurements, on March 22, 2026, the accumulated snowfall taken at UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab was 75 inches shy of the median.
A 25/26 WINTER PREDICTION: The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center issued a forecast for the 2025/26 season in November 2025, anticipating a La Niña year, which yields stronger trade winds pushing warm water toward Asia. The movement of cold water tends to bring drought in the southern U.S. and heavier precipitation in the north and Canada. Courtesy graphic
This winter was anticipated to be a La Niña year — a natural climate pattern known for colder sea temperatures, with wetter conditions in the northern parts of the U.S. and Canada, and warmer, drier conditions in the southern parts of the U.S. The Truckee/North Tahoe area held an equal chance of experiencing either set of conditions.
“The season started slower than expected with relatively dry conditions until the new year, when we saw as much as 10 to 12 feet of snow in a few days,” wrote Ski California President John Rice in an email. “Most resorts went from zero to 100, reminding us that it can take just one storm in the Sierras to get it started. We did not experience much weather between that event and the second major storm cycle that brought another 10 feet of snow, only to be followed up with several inches of rain.
“The season is not over yet,” he added. “We could still see a March Miracle or an April Fools snow event. The East Coast was favored by Mother Nature this winter over the West.”
AN EAST WIND: Jan. 8 at Palisades Tahoe featured a new east wind — seen here blowing snow from Headwall face toward and into Sun Bowl — signaled the onset of the high-pressure ridge that lasted until mid-February. Photo by Jon Grant/Moonshine Ink
Still, many local ski resorts are ending their seasons earlier than usual. Sierra-at-Tahoe closed March 22, its second-earliest closure ever after the 2014/15 winter. It’s impossible to separate low snow from our economies’ reliance on tourism — more than 60% of the Tahoe Basin’s economic output, the Tahoe Prosperity Center reports, relies on it. And in Truckee, tourism supported roughly 1,670 jobs and generated $63.7 million locally in 2024. With a 4.5-degree Fahrenheit increase in average daily minimum (nighttime) temperature since 1911, and increasingly fewer days when it’s even cold enough to snow, as the Tahoe Environmental Research Center reports, the business of winter can’t be static.
“The East Coast was favored by Mother Nature this winter over the West.”
~ John Rice, Ski California president
Various local resorts speak to their realities of the collectively less-than-impressive 25/26 winter, and what their mindsets are for future spring shoulder seasons that bloom earlier and earlier. Moonshine Ink reached out to multiple ski shops for additional comment, but they declined to comment.
“Despite being open only 84 days, it felt like a really great season,” said Molly Casper, the marketing and communications coordinator for Tahoe XC in Tahoe City, which closed on March 11. “We had some really great events … If you have enough packed snow and cold temperatures overnight, skiing is fantastic at Tahoe XC. The groomers were incredible. We stayed open as long as we could.”
Tahoe XC operates year-round, with mountain biking programming, nature camp, and other summertime opportunities. The nonprofit is also in the process of raising funds to open a new lodge near North Tahoe High School, “where we can support a more year-round business model and create longer-term employment for our employees,” Casper said. “I think that’s the real downside of being a seasonal business is not being able to sustain employment for as long as we want. The community really shows up and it’s impossible to say we had a bad winter with all that support but it’s bittersweet to end the season and not see each other every day.”
Even without snow, Tahoe XC is still hosting the Tahoe Nordic Expo on April 4. Casper said it was always known there might not be much snow by then, but events are happening regardless, including biathlon training, a backcountry clinic, a virtual panel, and a ton more.
Such warmer-weather approaches are common among “every resort in business today,” per Rice. “Some [are] more aggressive than others [in opportunities], with investments in mountain biking, sightseeing, hiking, events, weddings, and other activities,” Rice wrote. “Mountain playgrounds are in demand year around and ski resorts, especially those on public land, are ready to provide outdoor recreation without snow. Since ski resorts have the most to lose regarding climate change, we don’t get into the politics of the debate, rather focus on sustainability practices and use our position to educate our guests and employees to do their part to take care of our environment.”
8,260 FEET: With its high base elevation, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe received all snow (no rain) in the late-December storms and was fully open for the Christmas-New Year’s week, when this photo was taken. Photo by Jon Grant/Moonshine Ink
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe has a different outlook on this winter, literally and figuratively.
“We do have our clear advantages during leaner times,” said Mike Pierce, marketing director for the resort, which has the area’s highest base elevation at 8,260 feet.
He said that his team is “fighting the PR battle” on the general perception that conditions aren’t ideal and it’s been a short winter. With about 240 inches of snow this season, Mt. Rose will likely stay open until April 26.
In general, he noted December was unique, with more competing ski teams from other resorts on the slopes than usual.
“The community really shows up and it’s impossible to say we had a bad winter with all that support but it’s bittersweet to end the season and not see each other every day.”
~ Molly Casper, Tahoe XC Marketing and Communications Coordinator
As for eyeing future warming, Pierce said Mt. Rose will continue its investment in snowmaking: “We have 80 guns on the hill, and we will continue with that.”
Rice echoed this snowmaking sentiment. “Snowmaking has come a long way with new technologies and ways to convert water to a frozen, non-consumptive use. As snow is stored on mountain slopes, it returns to the groundwater and rivers during as the snow melts.
Despite a slow start and few weather events, as well as tragedies like the avalanche at Castle Peak, Rice said the season has shown “a normal pattern of activity” and encouraged ongoing education, like through Ski California’s Mountain Safety Guide.
“Having worked in the ski industry for over 40 years, I have witnessed low snow, normal snow totals, and extreme snow seasons,” Rice wrote. “Weather is always changing, and the ski industry is always adapting. It’s important to remember that one season doesn’t signal a trend.”
As we approach the one-month commemoration of the avalanche at Perry’s Peak on Feb. 17, the Truckee/Tahoe community continues to grieve deeply after what is to date the deadliest avalanche in modern California history.
Nine individuals — six women who were part of a friend group on a backcountry skiing trip, and three mountain guides (two men and one woman) — were killed by an avalanche during whiteout winter conditions. All were described as passionate and skilled backcountry skiers.
Many questions remain, the most significant of which centers on why a group of knowledgeable skiers elected to venture out at all, and to take the path they did during dangerous winter conditions and amid an active avalanche warning. While the event itself remains under investigation on a multitude of fronts, with the possibility of lawsuits, enough core information about what took place exists to create a timeline of events.
Moonshine Ink conducted numerous interviews, reviewed reports, and sorted through volumes of information to better understand what happened on that snowy Tuesday in mid-February.
Sunday, Feb. 15, to Monday, Feb. 16
In the days leading up to Sunday, Sierra Avalanche Center forecasters note weak snowpack structures and flag them as “a concern for future storm-loading events,” adding that such layers in the past have contributed to avalanches.
At 6:49 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15 — a few short hours before four Blackbird Mountain Guides are scheduled to meet the groups they will guide —the Sierra Avalanche Center issues its first backcountry avalanche watch since Dec. 25, 2025.
“A powerful multi-day winter storm arrives this evening,” notes the report. “Snowfall is forecast to begin tonight and continue for several days.”
THREE DAYS LATER: On Friday, Feb. 20, helicopter crews were finally cleared to fly over the site of the Feb. 17 avalanche. By the time of this photo, additional snow had covered up signs of the avalanche (upper middle of this shot) and its debris. Mitigation efforts to curtail additional avalanches had not yet been performed. Photo courtesy Sierra Avalanche Center
Blackbird itself also calls for vigilance. On a social media post the same day, Blackbird guide Jan Czyzewski and founder and guide Zeb Blais post an observation from Mount Rose near Incline Village, saying, “Pay close attention to @savycenter and use extra caution this week!” and referencing a buried, weak, faceted layer in northerly aspects. “This weak layer could lead to some unpredictable avalanches!” reads text on the video. “Typically we’d expect small amounts of faceting between big storms, but with a crust and extended dry period for the month of January into February, faceting has been a driving force in the snowpack.
“The result is a particularly weak layer in many northerly aspects, across various elevation bands. As we move into a large storm cycle this week, pay close attention to places where faceting has been particularly strong — avalanches could behave abnormally, and the hazard could last longer than normal.”
Blackbird’s day-one itinerary for Frog Lake huts trips is to meet at a trailhead off I-80 in the morning, venture to the huts, unpack, and tour the area. “After we’ve had our fill of riding for the day,” the trip-specific website states, “we’ll settle back into the huts and prepare for dinner.”
According to Strava data from Blackbird guide Niki Choo, one of two who guided the group of eight female friends, Choo’s group begins its tour from the Donner Summit SNO-Park. About 4 miles later, after slipping down into the Frog Lake basin via Frog Lake Notch (a steep gully beneath Perry’s Peak), they likely drop gear off at the huts before setting out for another 2.5 mile-loop around Perry’s Peak, back to the notch, and down to the huts.
The following morning, Feb. 16, Choo’s Strava data shows another tour, this one 5 miles long in the Horse Hill area northeast of Frog Lake. While Monday begins the start of a five-day snowstorm that will become the third-snowiest on record, only 2 inches fall on this day, according to OpenSnow.
Horrific conditions, just whiteout conditions. It’s a known area where we have a lot of search and rescue missions — that Castle Peak, Peter Grubb Hut, Frog Lake Hut area — so we train in that area; they knew the terrain. That doesn’t make it easier for them with the snow conditions and wind conditions. What was going through my mind is hopefully they can get there, to the six that were sheltering in place.”
~ Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon
Three modern huts are available for booking at Frog Lake, a circular, subalpine lake northwest of Donner Lake by about 3.5 miles, all owned and managed by Truckee Donner Land Trust. In total, 20 guests can sleep across the huts, each of which provides electrical outlets, flushing toilets, hot and cold water, gas stoves, and other amenities.
Serving as the communal space is the Eschenbach Backcountry House, providing a kitchen, fireplace, sitting areas, and map room for planning out recreation options. The Ginger Hut is a renovated summer cabin from before the land trust purchased the site, and is where “hutmeisters” stay to offer a mixture of hospitality and maintenance for guests.
TDLT staff said the majority of reservations are claimed months in advance, with any remaining spots filling in from there.
“[There are] closed periods in the spring and fall for maintenance, admin, and the general challenges of getting there in between [seasons],” said Greyson Howard, communications director for the land trust. “We’ve typically seen both summer and winter over 80% to over 90% occupancy.”
Various guide service options are available, though not required, to reach Frog Lake, particularly helpful for those with “concerns about safety or navigation in visiting the backcountry huts,” as stated on the land trust website, which also lists the following guide options (completely separate from land trust operations): North American Ski Training & Climbing, Alpenglow Expeditions, Alpine Skills International, Tahoe Mountain School, Blackbird Mountain Guides (which offers gear/food porter services), Backcountry Babes, and Dirt Gypsy Adventures (a trailhead shuttle).
Such guiding companies will make reservations for groups just like any guest would.
THE VIEW FROM THE NOTCH: Skier Miles Barker looks out over Frog Lake in December 2024. Routes into the area via trails from the north and northwest often result in skiers dropping down into what’s called Frog Lake Notch, the top of which is pictured here. Courtesy photo
Tuesday, Feb. 17
The Sierra Avalanche Center (SAC) is one of 14 Forest Service avalanche centers in the U.S.
Forecasting and potentially issuing avalanche watches and warnings starts with daily field work and monitoring the snowpack from the beginning of the winter to late April. SAC observers go out into the forecast area, which comprises 1,500 square miles in the greater Lake Tahoe area, from Yuba Pass on Highway 49 to the north to Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4 in the south. Forecasters observe the weather, the snowpack, and any other signs of instability in the snow.
Next, SAC takes the day’s observations, along with their expertise, and uses a tool called the Conceptional Model of Avalanche Hazard. The CMAH identifies the key components of avalanche hazard and structures them into a systematic, consistent workflow for hazard and risk assessments. There are four sequential questions to answer when assessing avalanche hazard:
What type of avalanche problem(s) exists?
Where are these problems located in the terrain?
How likely is it that an avalanche will occur? and
How big will the avalanche be?
“From that, we can figure out our avalanche problems and move from there to the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale,” SAC lead forecaster Brandon Schwartz said.
The NAPADS is a system that rates avalanche danger and provides general travel advice based on the likelihood, size, and distribution of expected avalanches. It consists of five levels, from least to highest amount of danger: 1 (low), 2 (moderate), 3 (considerable), 4 (high), and 5 (extreme). Danger ratings are typically provided for three distinct elevation bands. Although the danger ratings are assigned numerical levels, the danger increases exponentially from one to the next. In other words, the hazard rises dramatically in the higher levels on the scale.
Also factored into SAC’s forecasting is the snowpack history of the season to date combined with what occurred at weather stations overnight, such as wind. SAC works closely with the National Weather Service in Reno. In the afternoon, avalanche forecasters meet to discuss the information gathered that morning and see what other observations come in over the course of the day.
“And then the following morning, the forecaster who was authoring the [forecast] is looking at what happened overnight on weather stations in terms of temperatures, winds, snowfall, looking at cloud cover,” Schwartz said. “And then looking at the day’s weather forecast from the National Weather Service, getting on the phone with them for any clarifying questions, potentially jumping into an online chat with other forecasters to get consensus about any last-minute variables that may be dependent upon the weather forecast, and then moving forward on authoring the day’s avalanche forecast.”
The forecasts are issued by 7 a.m. every morning.
Avalanche watches are issued first, in advance of anticipated storms. Warnings, meanwhile, are issued the same day as dangerous, extreme conditions are occurring or highly likely. Avalanche warnings are pushed out through the National Weather Service on high (4) and extreme (5) days because of its reach to the media, according to Schwartz. If a storm fizzles out or changes direction or intensity, the watch expires and no warning is issued.
“Then the cycle starts over again and we go back in the field, try and get information to verify the day’s forecast, and gather more information to move forward to the next 24-hour cycle,” Schwartz said.
6:29 a.m.
Early the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 17, SAC rates the avalanche danger a 4 at all three elevation levels (above, near, and below treeline). A critical warning, authored by Schwartz, is issued for the Tahoe/Truckee area:
“Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended today. A widespread natural avalanche cycle is expected over the next 24 hours. Large avalanches may run through treed areas. If attempting travel today in non-avalanche terrain, be certain that there are no steeper slopes connected to the terrain you are traveling, either above or to the side.”
An additional line in the avy report reads: “Anticipate that any organized rescue efforts may be significantly delayed or may not occur if you experience a mishap in the backcountry under these conditions.”
HUNKERED DOWN: The three huts available for rent opened for visitors in 2022, though the Truckee Donner Land Trust was considering the general concept of hut construction even before the June 2020 land purchase. Twenty guests total can sleep in the trio of buildings. Photo courtesy land trust
During winter, SAC’s daily avalanche report is available to Frog Lake guests. Some told the Ink the report is printed out and posted in the Eschenbach Backcountry House each morning, others said an iPad with internet access is available for guests’ use, and the report is accessible from there.
The Truckee Donner Land Trust lists three winter over-snow routes to reach the Frog Lake huts: from the Castle Peak and Johnson Canyon trailheads, and a Donner Summit Rest Area route. (Based on Choo’s Strava data, the group did not follow any of these trails exactly to reach the huts on day one, though the Donner Summit Rest Area route is closest in alignment.)
No route recommendations are provided to groups by hutmeisters.
At 7:30 a.m., California Highway Patrol – Truckee announces the closure of Interstate 80 to big rigs at Alta eastbound and Nevada stateline westbound. By 11:05 a.m., the freeway is completely closed “due to whiteout conditions and poor visibility.”
Checkout of the huts is by 10 a.m., though based on reporting by the New York Times, the 15 skiers — two touring groups combined into one for the departure — reach the ridge of Perry’s Peak, 500 feet above the huts, around 10 a.m.
“Guests are able to stay at the hut longer in the event of conditions preventing them from leaving,” the land trust shared in an email. “There is emergency food/water available.”
Jim Zellers — a pioneering big-mountain snowboarder and mountaineer who holds first snowboard descents of Mt. McKinley, Mt. Kenya, and New Zealand’s Mt. Cook, among others — has been based in Truckee/Tahoe for most of his adult life.
“I was out [Feb. 17] too,” Zellers said of a backcountry tour he and his wife, Bonnie, went on in Ward Canyon. “It was pretty much a whiteout, so if you were too far from your partner you couldn’t see them.”
He possesses vast backcountry experience in, and knowledge of, the Castle Peak area where the avalanche occurred. He has been to the Frog Lake huts “maybe 40 times,” both stopping in on day trips as well as for multiple-night stays.
“I’ve hiked up exactly where it took place,” he said of the avalanche site. He pointed out its unique and dangerous cross-loaded nature — the snow not exclusively accumulating directly over the ridge and vertically, but from side-to-side as well, adding pressure to the snowpack. “It was a few years ago, we skinned right across it. Bonnie and I got up there and we were like, ‘Whoa, this is a whole cross-loaded slope.’ It’s not super obvious from afar, but when you’re right there in it, you can definitely see it and feel it.”
Perry’s Peak is the 8,320-foot-tall peak overlooking the north-northwest side of Frog Lake. The name, not an official U.S. Department of Agriculture-recognized one, is an honorific to Perry Norris, former longtime executive director of the Truckee Donner Land Trust.
Zellers stated that he knows other skiers and riders who have also experienced what he and Bonnie felt that day on the slope, but that it has remained a relatively widely traveled exit path from the huts.
“I love going out that way,” he said. “It’s truly one of the more peaceful, beautiful ways going out.”
Roughly 11 a.m.
As of press deadline, it remains unknown what triggered the Perry’s Peak Avalanche, since ongoing snowfall after the event covered evidence.
What is known is that while the group is passing downslope of Perry’s Peak, close to the Red Dot Trail, the avalanche breaks loose — ending up the length of a football field and 6.5 feet deep, classified as a D2.5 soft-slab slide (a D3 avalanche is powerful enough to destroy a building).
Thirteen members of the 15-person party are caught in the slide, which descends 400 feet from the peak on a 38-degree slope. With terrain traps on the sides, all the snow is funneled into a very narrow area and condensed considerably into a depression, resulting in a debris field in a small box area of less than 30 by 30 feet.
According to New York Times interviews, one buried individual — Anton Auzans — digs himself out and he, along with the two not caught in the avalanche, including Jim Hamilton, unburies others, among them three alive.
Those under the snow have about a 47% chance of survival upon initial burial, according to the American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education. After 10 minutes completely buried, those odds drop significantly.
11:30:58 a.m.
The Times further reported that Auzans is the one who calls 911 dispatch to report the avalanche and that nine or 10 people remain buried.
From there, incident details obtained by Moonshine Ink show the steps taken to maintain communication with the party, coordinate additional responders, and home in on the exact location of the survivors for rescue.
Within five minutes of the 911 call, requests for assistance start rolling out to Cal Fire, Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue, and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. Forty-six personnel begin to respond immediately.
The Garmin emergency beacon belonging to one party member’s husband is activated and reported to Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
Between 12 and 1 p.m., incident command (IC) is established at the Alder Creek Adventure Center, about 4 miles away from the avalanche site as the crow flies. Boreal Mountain California (about 3 miles away) serves as the staging area.
“We staged at two areas because we deployed ski teams from two areas — both Alder Creek Adventure Center and Boreal,” shared Nevada County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Ashley Quadros in an email. “Reaching the survivors as soon as possible was the goal to prevent further loss of life. IC locations vary by incident and could be at a staging area or at a different location altogether depending on the circumstances at hand. Accessibility and available resources for IC are common factors.”
12:41 p.m.
The party of six survivors stays in contact with dispatch via call, text, and satellite phone. It’s about 20 minutes before 1 p.m. that the surviving guide, who serves as the main point of contact, informs 911 that they’ve moved away from the avalanche debris to a spot among trees.
Snow continues to fall heavily, with low visibility.
Victims are buried beneath between 5 and 8 feet of snow. Per the AIARE, a 6-foot deep burial requires moving at least 10,000 pounds of snow. The survivors also face the threat of another potential avalanche sweeping in from above.
Off the mountain, search and rescue teams are permitted by Caltrans to pass through traffic control on I-80.
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HEADING OUT: On Tuesday, Feb. 17, at about 3 p.m., search and rescue teams deployed from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Alder Creek Adventure Center, each a few miles away from the incident location. Their goal: to extract the six known survivors. A Sno-Cat team also launched from the adventure center. Photos courtesy Nevada County Sheriff’s Office
HEADING OUT: On Tuesday, Feb. 17, at about 3 p.m., search and rescue teams deployed from Boreal Mountain Ski Resort and Alder Creek Adventure Center, each a few miles away from the incident location. Their goal: to extract the six known survivors. A Sno-Cat team also launched from the adventure center. Photos courtesy Nevada County Sheriff’s Office
3 p.m.
The following is recorded on the incident’s event log by NCSO:
[Search and Rescue] teams are deploying from Boreal as well as from Alder Creek Adventure Center (editor’s note: a Sno-Cat team also launches from Alder Creek). [A unit] is in contact with iPhone emergency services as they are in good satellite text contact with one of the subjects in the field. Advised six subjects are accounted for out of the group. The six are remaining put, one subject advised he was coughing up blood, no other injuries reported.
The subjects advised they cannot pinpoint the location of where subjects are possibly buried due to snowfall.
The six subjects are in the trees at the base of the avalanche and possibly made a makeshift shelter with a yellow tarp.
Also part of this update is the arrival of two Blackbird Mountain Guides members at the incident command center. These two want to deploy into the field but are advised not to. “The guides deployed into the field anyway,” is noted in the log. Blackbird did not respond to Moonshine’s request for comment.
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ANNOTATED TRAGEDY: Photos and illustrations provided by the Sierra Avalanche Center show the likely start zone and debris field of the avalanche. Courtesy photos
ANNOTATED TRAGEDY: Photos and illustrations provided by the Sierra Avalanche Center show the likely start zone and debris field of the avalanche. Courtesy photos
5:36 p.m.
More than six hours after the avalanche, search and rescue makes contact with the survivors. The Sno-Cat team from Alder Creek advances 2 miles, then skis in the remainder of the way.
“Horrific conditions, just whiteout conditions,” Sheriff Moon describes. “It’s a known area where we have a lot of search and rescue missions — that Castle Peak, Peter Grubb Hut, Frog Lake hut area — so we train in that area; they knew the terrain. That doesn’t make it easier for them with the snow conditions and wind conditions. What was going through my mind is hopefully they can get there, to the six that were sheltering in place.”
First aid is administered, eight deceased individuals in total are accounted for, and the group is escorted out back to the Sno-Cat. Two of the six, explains Moon, are not mobile; they cannot walk because of their avalanche injuries. “We were able to safely get them the 2 miles from that location to the Sno-Cat and four others were able to get to the Sno-Cat themselves.”
A little before 11 p.m., Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reports the rescue of six avalanche survivors, and that two of the six have been transported to Tahoe Forest Hospital.
Estimated snowfall calculations for Tuesday at Castle Peak, per OpenSnow: 22 inches.
THE INCIDENT: Locations and routes taken by those involved in the avalanche at Perry’s Peak on Feb. 17. Alleged exit route is based on reporting by The New York Times. Information presented is to the best of our knowledge. Map courtesy Google Earth/illustrated by Lauren Shearer/Moonshine Ink
Wednesday, Feb. 18, to Thursday, Feb. 19
The six survivors have been rescued, but there is still more work to do for responders. They need to safely access the avalanche zone to recover the nine bodies of those killed in the slide — one of whom has not yet been located.
Adding to the complexities, several feet of additional snow have fallen since the avalanche occurred. Thus, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, lead agency on the incident, must evaluate the scene and ensure that the area is safe for searchers before sending them back out again. This includes avalanche mitigation.
“We have to reach people before we can help rescue people,” Moon says. “And those decisions are made on-scene by the folks that are going to be getting deployed and making sure they have the right equipment, the right training, and the confidence that they can reach the folks … Last night, I commend them for knowing that they had six people that had survived and they wanted to get there as soon as they could. They took some risks, clearly.
“Today, looking at it, the risk is still as high with the mission moving to a recovery; we want to really make sure that our first responders are safe.”
As of 6:52 a.m. Wednesday morning, the SAC’s avalanche warning remains in place, stating “increased uncertainty exists with ongoing reactivity of these buried weak layers under this large storm snow load. The potential continues for large to very large avalanches occurring in the backcountry today.”
Weather, too, remains a challenge. Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo says, “Unfortunately we’re kind of at the will of Mother Nature at this point, and going to have to wait for hopefully a decent break in the weather and make sure we get every last soul off that mountain.”
Just after 8:30 a.m., Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is notified. When a workplace incident results in a death, or a serious event causes the hospitalization of three or more employees, an immediate, mandatory OSHA investigation is triggered.
At about 11 a.m., Sheriff Moon says Blackbird “has been very cooperative, providing us the individual information from their trip. They also had members arrive at our location when we deployed into the field and they responded with us. They wanted to do everything they could to assist.”
Multiple attempts to deploy helicopters to perform reconnaissance of the incident area, check for travel routes, and search for the remaining individual have failed.
The National Guard and California Highway Patrol are marked as “unable to fly.” Placer County Sheriff’s Office’s Falcon 30 “is unavailable.”
Initially, Care Flight Truckee plans to fly out two observers, but by 3:30 p.m., that reconnaissance is also delayed. Washoe County Sheriff’s Office: unable to fly.
“Due to hazardous weather conditions,” Quadros shares in a press release, “avalanche victims cannot be safely extracted off the mountain today.”
Circa 10 minutes to 4 p.m., the National Air Guard is established as accepting helicopter recon for Friday, Feb. 20.
Thursday morning, the U.S. Forest Service issues a closure on National Forest lands and trails near Castle Peak. The closure is planned through March 15 or until public safety measures are mitigated.
“Due to the current instability of the snowpack and need to prioritize first responder access to the area, members of the public are prohibited from entering the closure area during search and rescue operations,” the announcement says.
OSHA opens its investigation.
In the late afternoon on Thursday, families of six avalanche victims release a statement, which reads in part:
We have many unanswered questions, but here is what we know at this time: Eight close friends planned a professionally guided, two-night backcountry hut trip to Frog Lake huts outside Truckee, California. The trip had been organized well in advance. They were experienced backcountry skiers who deeply respected the mountains. They were trained and prepared for backcountry travel and trusted their professional guides on this trip. They were fully equipped with avalanche safety equipment.
~ From the families of Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar, Kate Vitt
That evening, Blackbird founder and local Zeb Blais releases a statement that all guides were either trained with American Mountain Guides Association or certified in backcountry skiing, and that each was an instructor with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education.
“In addition,” the release stated, “guides in the field are in communication with senior guides at our base, to discuss conditions and routing based upon conditions. There is still a lot that we’re learning about what happened. It’s too soon to draw conclusions, but investigations are underway.”
Friday, Feb. 20, to Saturday, Feb. 21
The UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reports that from Feb. 16 to the morning of Friday, Feb. 20, a total of 111 inches of snow have fallen, making it the third-snowiest five-day period on record.
To ensure the safety of search and rescue teams recovering the remaining bodies, the sheriff’s office considers several methods for performing avalanche control leading up to Friday, including use of explosives, according to Quadros. The agency that answers the call in the required timeline is none other than California’s largest utility company.
“Ultimately, PG&E ended up being the quickest viable option,” Quadros wrote in an email.
DANGER ZONE: Avalanche mitigation operations on Feb. 20 were conducted in partnership with Pacific Gas & Electric, using two helicopters with Bambi Bucktes. Crews relied exclusively on water dumps to improve snow stability. Courtesy photo
Friday brings clear skies, meaning flights are a go. First, CHP and Care Flight conduct reconnaissance missions of the Castle Peak area above Frog Lake. On board the Care Flight helicopter are two ski patrollers: Chad Weiland, a Care Flight paramedic and Sugar Bowl patroller, and Ivan McGurk, a Palisades Tahoe patroller and volunteer with Nevada County Sheriff Search and Rescue. McGurk is also a member of the Care Flight Crew Card program, which authorizes specially trained personnel to be transported by Care Flight to incidents such as the Castle Peak avalanche.
The flight lasts about 20 minutes, from 11:19 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.
“We flew to the scene and assessed the slope for avalanche hazards,” Weiland said at the Feb. 20 NCSO press conference. “We circled Perry’s Peak several times and flew into the valley to survey the full avalanche path. The purpose of the flight was to provide aerial visibility of the terrain features and recommendations for appropriate avalanche mitigation.”
Weiland told Moonshine Ink that he and McGurk observed that the slide path was heavily wind loaded.
“We saw the primary avalanche path on that slope, it was north-northwest facing,” he said, explaining that the face gets a lot of wind scouring. “The wind loading was definitely more pronounced than I expected it to be on that slope.”
The Care Flight crew could not see the debris from the avalanche since it was in the trees and it had snowed more since the incident, nor could they see the crown at the top. But Weiland said he was surprised that the avalanche path appeared smaller than he expected it to be.
“It’s a well-known avalanche path, but it’s relatively small,” he said. “It connects to other potential avalanche paths, sort of skiers’ right of that path. The size of the path … almost was undersized for the incident, is how it felt to me.”
Close to 3 p.m., NCSO alerts the public that avalanche mitigation is beginning.
After the recon information is relayed to PG&E, the company flies two of its helicopters — a UH60 Black Hawk and a Bell 407 — from its base at the Red Bluff Airport 36 miles south of Redding to Truckee. The helicopters conduct an overview of the scene before starting PG&E’s unique form of avalanche control — rather than explosives, using buckets of water.
The Black Hawk helicopter is equipped with a 150-foot-long line attached to a Bambi Bucket, which is used to pick up 660 gallons of water from a small, nearby lake that isn’t frozen for a series of seven water drops, resulting in a total of 4,600 gallons of water.
A Bambi Bucket is a lightweight, collapsible, helicopter-slung device used for aerial firefighting, capable of carrying anywhere from 72 to over 2,600 gallons of water.
While these water drops are routinely implemented to fight fires, since 2023 PG&E has also used them for avalanche control at its Helms Pumped Storage Facility located at 8,100 feet in the Sierra National Forest above Fresno.
“Our goal was making the area safe for the search and rescue teams to go in and recover the victims,” said Pete Anderson, PG&E senior manager of helicopter operations, in a press release.
Anderson, who has been with PG&E for 29 years, described this as his proudest moment at the company.
“We played a small part in helping these people get back with their families,” he said.
Using water drops for avalanche mitigation is rare.
“This was the first I’d ever heard of it being used,” said Weiland, a seven-year ski patroller. “It’s really creative, but it’s sort of an unstudied mitigation technique.”
SAC reports that no additional avalanches are triggered by the water drops, making it safe for rescuers to enter the area and retrieve the bodies.
Five of the nine deceased individuals are recovered, and the last body is located.
Nevada County Sheriff’s Office announces its launch of an investigation into whether there is criminal negligence involved with the event.
The following day, Saturday, Feb. 21, the National Guard and CHP recover the last four bodies through a combination of aerial operations and snowcats driven to Frog Lake. The multi-day search-and-rescue effort concludes at 10:58 a.m.
The nine deceased individuals are identified and their information is released to the public:
Andrew Alissandratos (34) of Verdi, Nev.
Carrie Atkin (46) of Soda Springs
Nicole (Niki) Choo (42) of South Lake Tahoe
Lizabeth (Liz) Clabaugh (52) of Boise, Idaho
Michael Henry (30) of Soda Springs
Danielle Keatley (44) of Soda Springs and Larkspur, Calif.
Kate Morse (45) of Soda Springs and Tiburon, Calif.
Caroline Sekar (45) of Soda Springs and San Francisco
Katherine Vitt (43) of Greenbrae, Calif.
Alissandratos, Choo, and Henry were Blackbird Mountain Guides.
The agencies involved with response, rescue, and avalanche mitigation were: Nevada County Sheriff’s Office; Nevada County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue; Placer County Sheriff’s Office; Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue; Washoe County Sheriff’s Office; Washoe County Search and Rescue; California’s Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; California Highway Patrol Air Operations; Care Flight Truckee, a service of REMSA Health; Pacific Gas & Electric; United States Forest Service; California State Parks; Truckee Fire; OpenSnow; Tahoe Donner’s Alder Creek Adventure Center; Boreal Mountain Ski Resort; Truckee Tahoe Airport; Town of Truckee; Truckee Police Department; Truckee Donner Land Trust; and California National Guard.
IN REMEMBRANCE: Roughly 500 people showed up the evening of Sunday, Feb. 22, to a vigil in downtown Truckee to commemorate the avalanche victims. Photo by Ted Coakley III/Moonshine Ink
Sunday, Feb. 22
A vigil, hosted by the Town of Truckee, is held Sunday evening at 6 p.m. at the eagle statue in Downtown Truckee to commemorate those lost in the avalanche. An estimated 500 people attend.
Monday, Feb. 23
The U.S. Forest Service lifts its closure on all Tahoe National Forest lands and trails in the Castle Peak area.
Friday, Feb. 27
SAC forecasters and search and rescue teams return to the avalanche site. SAR members dig out the victims’ remaining equipment — mostly skis and poles — while the forecasters gather additional data on the terrain.
Ongoing (as of press deadline)
SAC continues to work on the incident report, which will document the details of what the forecasters have named as the Perry’s Peak Avalanche, including contributing factors to the event.
Blackbird Mountain Guides issue a sorrowful statement on the loss of its three guides, and stated it is not accepting new reservations at this time.
The incident remains under investigation through the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, as well as by OSHA — limiting many individuals in speaking with Moonshine Ink.
“We are looking to determine if there were any factors that would be considered criminal negligence,” Quadros wrote. “It is too early to know if criminal charges will be applicable, as the investigation is preliminary and remains active and ongoing.”
This winter was a wake-up call for me. The unseasonably warm temperatures that became ubiquitous with every weather report, the fall weather that dragged into the end of December, and rain instead of snow all led me to an uncomfortable realization — climate change is here. Now I find myself grappling with the reality of our changing climate as both a ski industry professional and an environmental journalist. I am beginning to find these markedly separate careers colliding in ways I hoped they never would.
In 2023, when I first began my foray into journalism and transitioned from full-time ski patroller to full-time student and part-time patroller, I wrote an article for a science reporting class at UNR on a study published in the scientific journal Climate Dynamics. My article was titled Must Go Higher: New Study Predicts Warmer Winters and Higher Snowlines for the Tahoe Basin. I thought the portrait of a Tahoe that was impacted by climate change was still in a very far-off future. I was wrong.
When I found more dirt than snow this past December and opted for hiking and biking in place of skiing, I couldn’t help but think back to the lines I wrote just a few seasons ago:
“A study tracked the snowpack in the Sierra over the past 70 years and found a stark rise in snowlines … Under unabated climate change conditions, the Sierrawill lose approximately 57 percent of their snowpack in the second half of the 21st century.
“Most of this snow loss is predicted to happen during the shoulder seasons of fall and spring, and at mid-elevations. Not only would the ski season window shrink, but so will the area of skiable terrain as snow becomes relegated to the highest and coldest of elevations and the chilliest of months.”
This fall, I kept waiting for that feeling of a cold breeze on my face or a frosty morning with the delicious crunch of frozen earth underfoot to tell me winter was on the horizon. When halfway through December the mountains were still mostly bare and instead of snow I had fresh strawberries in my garden in Carson City and confused irises sprouting out of the earth, I began to officially freak out.
A small bit of solace came from scientist Benjamin Hatchett of Colorado State University. He reminded me that recency and confirmation biases can play a large part in our perception and that unless I had specific long-term data surrounding said strawberry harvest, it could have some aspects of natural variability entwined in it, alongside climate change.
One piece of relief came when I asked him about the long dry spells we had earlier this season. He had run the numbers.
“So, I just took the longest dry spell period of each winter and then you see if there’s a long-term trend there. And, so, we don’t see a signal for the dry spells getting longer with time, which is good. There is a lot of variability, which is not surprising,” Hatchett said.
GOT DIRT? Dirt patches dot the southeast-side face of a peak in the Tahoe National Forest this winter.
Although that high pressure system may have turned out to just be a dry spell, it did also serve as a potential dry run for what we may see under a warmer, less snowy future.
“We should learn from what happened in these low snow years because that’s what we expect to see more of,” said Hatchett. “So, how do we manage that in different ways? How do we try to ski what you can? And use the water more wisely?”
Whether a dry spell is a dry run for the future or not, this winter’s warm start gave many of us a run for our money, literally. Seasonal workers can relate to the anxiety of a shoulder season that drags on. As a seasonal employee, you rely on stacking cash in the peak summer months to squeak through the lean season into winter where the promise of work awaits come November.
But halfway through December this year, most mountains were only operating at a fraction of their footprint, if at all. The high season was around the corner, but we were missing a very important element — snow. For many, it was either get another job, dig into savings — if there are any — or fill out unemployment paperwork.
This loss of revenue is costing the economy millions: around $252 million annually to be exact, according to the 2024 article How Climate Change Is Damaging the US Ski Industry. The piece, published in the peer-reviewed journal Current Issues in Tourism, found that by the 2050s, ski seasons are projected to shorten between 27 to 62 days under unabated climate change, resulting in a loss of over a billion dollars annually. This is for the industry as a whole, but I fear what the local implications will be.
A FINE LINE: Much of the area’s terrain is at mid-elevations.
I return to my words from seasons ago:
“Much of the Tahoe Basin’s skiable terrain is at mid elevations, but it is these precise elevations that are now hanging in a delicate balance, dancing a fine line between above and below freezing temperatures.
“The Central Sierra snow line currently sits at an average between 7,380 – 8,200 feet above sea level during the peak snow season. In the second half of the century, that number is projected to rise to between 8,690 and 9,020 feet.
“This spells trouble for the Basin, as the majority of Lake Tahoe’s skiable terrain is between lake level at 6,225 feet and around 9,000 feet.”
Put simply, we are going to run out of mountain.
Andrew Schwartz, director of the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory and Protect Our Winters science alliance member, already sees the writing in the snowpack.
“We are starting to see our winter precipitation switch to more rain than snow,” Schwartz said. “We see the shoulder season — months like October, November, May, April — those are transitioning really quickly. Even December is moving very quickly towards a rain-dominated month. And those signals are from the 1970s forward. They’re also accelerating.”
It’s not just scientists who are witnessing this but many other ski and snow professionals. Brennan Lagasse, a professional ski guide with decades of experience in the Sierra and a sustainability professor at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, said: “You’re losing quite a bit of skiing from lake-level up right now. In Lake Tahoe, a great but sad example is Homewood … Homewood skis right down to lake level. Over the past few years… we’re getting much more rain on snow events than we have in the past.”
The probable future of snow in the region is laid out in stark detail in the 2021 scientific paper A Low-To-No Snow Future and Its Impacts on Water Resources in the Western United States, published in Nature. And for someone who loves and relies on snow for enjoyment and employment, the future is pretty damn bleak.
The paper stated that the onset of low-to-no-snow seasons will occur in the 2060s for most basins in the American West, but in California this will appear in the late 2040s. And under unabated climate change, or business as usual conditions, we have between 35 and 60 years before low-to-no snow becomes persistent across the West. In addition, the article found that in the Cascades and the Sierra Nevada, around 45% of losses are expected by 2050.
In other words, unless drastic reduction in emissions happens, and fast, our snowpack is f*cked.
The authors did caution that the exact time frame of the emergence of these low-to-no-snow conditions is highly variable based on the models used. Regardless, the question is no longer if but when.
“Realistically speaking in the West, we’re kind of at a tipping point. We’ve seen climate change impact our winters. We’ve seen that start to accelerate,” Schwartz said. “Around 2025 to 2035 is when this is going to really shift how our winters look in California and the Western U.S.”
He added that although there is not necessarily an average year, especially with the boom-and-bust nature of the Sierra Nevada snow patterns, that as climate change progresses there will be even larger variability.
“It’s not to say that we won’t get snow, but it’s going to be kind of punctuated by bigger periods of rain and warmer temperatures,” Schwartz explained. “I think this year’s a really good analog for what we’re going to see more of in the future before we transition to being rain-dominated towards the end of the century.”
Having the understanding I do of snow and how resorts function through my experience as a patroller both within the Tahoe Basin and internationally, to say I am concerned is an understatement. I don’t think people realize how quickly this is barreling toward us. I know I didn’t.
“I always tell people, if you want to know what is to be expected for the future of winter, look at what all the ski resorts are doing, and they’re all installing mountain bike trails,” Schwartz said.
The Tahoe Basin is changing. Our snowpack is changing.
EARLY SPRING: Thin snow cover is seen above Donner Lake and along highway 80 in early February. Photo courtesy Kat Fulwider
Perhaps it is apropos that when I wrote that initial article, it too marked a transition in my career from the ski world to journalism. Just a couple of seasons ago, the impacts of climate change seemed far away. Somehow it feels closer now. I knew I would always worry for the next generation’s future, but it’s happening before our eyes. And this season it hit me, and now I worry about not only my future, but that of my friends and my colleagues, and for our careers.
Now as I revisit this original article again, likely with many more climactic and personal transformations looming on the horizon, I am discovering yet another newfound perspective. Among all this worry and fear, there also lives an inextinguishable spark of hope, of joy for the sport in whatever form it takes. And even as the future warms, this spark is stoking a fire in me to get after it, and to ski ’em while I got ’em.
