Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort had to postpone its planned Thanksgiving week opening due to insufficient snowfall and conditions too warm to create artificial snow, SFGate.com reported.
What happened?
The resort announced last month that it would not be able to open as planned on Nov. 26 due to “limited snowfall and short and inconsistent snowmaking.” Early season storms brought only light snow accumulation and failed to establish the snow base needed for safe skiing.
“High humidity prevents snowmaking even when it feels cold — without sustained wet-bulb temperatures, we cannot produce the amount of snow we need to open safely and sustainably,” the resort wrote in the article.
Most ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area remain closed, according to Lake Tahoe snow reports. As of this article’s publication, Tahoe Mountain Rose and Paradise Mountain Resort are the only two facilities in the basin operating lifts — both of which have pushed back their original opening dates by several weeks due to unexpectedly warm weather.
Why is the lack of snow a concern?
Weather changes occur naturally, but scientific consensus shows that human-induced warming can exacerbate extreme weather patterns and make snow droughts more frequent and severe. Ongoing dry spells threaten mountain communities that rely on winter tourism for their economic livelihood and survival.
Ski resorts around the world have faced increasing challenges in recent years. Italian resort communities have struggled with near-snowless winters in recent years, while studies show snow cover has plummeted at resorts around the world.
Some facilities have closed permanently due to unsustainable conditions, including footage of the French Alps showing bare slopes during the traditional high season.
Declining snowpack also threatens water supplies for millions of people who rely on mountain snowmelt. Mild winters damage ecosystems and affect agricultural production.
What is being done about the snow shortage?
According to their website, Palisades Tahoe’s snowmaking crew has been hard at work, weather permitting, with the goal of officially opening starting Dec. 6 with just enough snow for a limited beginner experience with carpet access only.
Additionally, some resorts are turning to new innovative solutions—the Yellowstone Club now recycles wastewater into snow for use on its ski slopes.
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