Operations Update: An April Start That Was No Joke

The past couple of weeks have truly been a rollercoaster of emotions. About 15 days ago, checking OpenSnow felt a lot like filling out your bracket in March: excited, optimistic, and fully bought in on what could be. A big storm on the horizon, visions of powder days dancing in your head… you know the feeling. Then, just like your bracket, things started to fall apart.

What once looked like an all-time storm slowly started trending warmer and warmer and suddenly that dream scenario was looking a lot more like rain. But here’s the thing, those forecasters over at OpenSnow, including Tahoe’s very own Bryan Allegretto, know a thing or two about how these patterns shake out.

And sure enough… the storm delivered.

Pow days that felt like they were miles in the rearview mirror came roaring back to life. So shoutout to the forecasters putting in the work to keep this mountain community informed.

Now, let’s be honest… this wasn’t your picture-perfect storm from top to bottom. Down at the base, it was a bit of a tough watch with rain making more appearances than we’d like. But up high? Whole different story. Cold enough where it mattered, and it showed.

And just like that, the stoke was back. Those Funitel rides on Thursday may have had you up close and personal with a total stranger. But all of you sharing the exact same mission. Get up top, find some fresh snow, and enjoy every second of it. Given the kind of season we’ve had, it feels like the froth hits a little different right now. Powder always gets people fired up, but this one was a good reminder of why we love this sport.

While this storm brought a much-needed refresh both mentally and physically, it wasn’t quite enough to fully turn things back into mid-winter form. That said, with the goal of going as long as conditions allow, we currently feel good about operating into the second half of April.

Weather & Conditions

Well well well… looks like the snow gods heard us after all.

Storm Recap: A Tale of Two Mountains

As expected, snowfall varied quite a bit depending on elevation.

Down low, it was a bit of a tough watch. More rain than snow, which is never what we’re hoping for.

But up top? Whole different story.

Up to 27 inches of new snow above 8,000 feet over the past two days

Noticeably deeper coverage the higher you go

This fresh snow will go a long way in helping preserve upper mountain terrain as we continue pushing deeper into spring.

Clearing Skies Into the Weekend

The storm is on its way out, with skies clearing and winds easing as we head into the weekend.

Expect:

Partly to mostly sunny skies

Temps in the 30s to near 40 at the base on Friday

Warming into the 50s on the mountain and near 60 at the base by the weekend

Classic setup for spring skiing. A little fresh snow up top with sunshine and softening conditions through the day.

Looking Ahead: Spring Keeps Doing Its Thing

High pressure sticks around into early next week, keeping things sunny and mild.

Beyond that, the pattern turns a bit more unsettled again with the chance for:

Cooler temps

Light rain and snow showers

Snow mainly limited to higher elevations

Nothing major on the horizon, but enough to keep things interesting as we roll through April.

For a deeper dive into the forecast and long-range trends, visit our Weather Blogs, written by Bryan Allegretto of OpenSnow.

Lift & Terrain Operations

That midweek refresh brought some life back to the upper mountain, and our ops teams are doing everything they can to keep that momentum going.

With the goal of going as long as conditions allow, we currently feel good about operating into the second half of April.

A huge shoutout to our mountain operations crews who continue to get creative day in and day out farming snow, moving it where it matters most, and doing whatever it takes to keep us sliding as long as possible.

Getting Around the Mountain

While the upper mountain benefited from this storm, lower elevations are still feeling the effects of a thin snowpack.

Mountain Run remains closed, as coverage down low is not sufficient for continuous skiing and riding.

To get down the mountain, plan to:

Download via the Funitel or Aerial Tram

Save your legs (and your bases) and avoid those thin lower mountain sections

Terrain Parks Update

The terrain park crew continues to deliver.

Both Gold Coast and Belmont remain some of the most dialed parks in all of Lake Tahoe, offering a mix of jumps and jibs for all styles of riding.

With the new snow this week, features may take a little extra time to fully open and shape back up, but rest assured the crew is putting in the work to get everything back to prime form.

And if you’re looking to get involved…

Gold Coast Rail Jam is going down today (4/3) on the lower jib section of Gold Coast Park.

No registration needed just show up, throw down, and be part of the session.

Spring Conditions Are Back

With temperatures trending warmer again, we’ll be right back into classic spring skiing conditions.

That means firm mornings, soft afternoons, and prime corn cycles if you time it right.

Lift and terrain status may change throughout the day. For the most up-to-date information, please check the Ikon Pass App or the Mountain Report before and during your visit.

Lift & Trail Status

Stay Sharp Out There

Spring conditions continue to evolve across the mountain, especially with this week’s mix of new snow up high and warming temperatures returning.

While we received over two feet of new snow on the upper mountain, it’s important to remember that underlying conditions haven’t changed everywhere.

Unmarked obstacles like rocks, stumps, and uneven terrain may still exist just below the surface, especially in off-piste areas. Please ski and ride with caution and stay aware of your surroundings.

Snow conditions will continue to vary throughout the day, with firmer surfaces in the morning transitioning to softer, more variable snow as temperatures rise.

Stay in control, choose terrain that matches your ability level, and keep your head on a swivel out there.

Mountain Safety

Transportation & Parking

Parking reservations are no longer required for the remainder of the season.

All parking is now first come, first served, so we recommend arriving early to lock in a good spot and get your day started on the right foot.

Alternate Transportation Options

Looking to skip the parking shuffle? There are still plenty of convenient ways to get to the mountain:

Park & Ride service is available from Truckee and Tahoe City

Resort transportation, including the Mountaineer, is available for guests staying in Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows

The Sports Basement Ski Bus offers a convenient, full-service ride to the resort

Events & Activities

Spring is hitting its stride, and the energy across the resort is only building from here.

From live music and après scenes to on-mountain competitions and community events, the lineup for the rest of the season is shaping up to be one of the best in the industry. You can feel the momentum picking up, and this is just the beginning.

Whether you’re here to compete, spectate, or just soak in the atmosphere, there’s no shortage of ways to be part of it.

On the Horizon: Rahlves Banzai (April 10–12)

Photo credit: Leah Alfano

The Rahlves Banzai returns to Palisades Tahoe, bringing high-speed, head-to-head racing on legendary terrain.

Created by ski icon Daron Rahlves, this event combines big mountain lines with the intensity of ski and snowboard cross, as competitors battle it out in four-person heats.

Fast, chaotic, and always a spectacle, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Rahlves Banzai Details

Events Calendar

Activity Finder

Still Shredding

Just like this season, things may not always go exactly how we draw it up. But if the past week reminded us of anything, it’s that there’s still plenty of fun to be had out there. A little fresh snow up top, sunshine on the way, and a mountain crew doing everything they can to keep us shredding as long as possible.

Whether you’re chasing a few soft turns, lapping the park, or just soaking in another spring day in the Sierra, this is the time to get out here and make it happen. Because before you know it… we’ll be talking about “last runs” again. So rally the crew, get a few laps in, and enjoy it while it’s here.