Some seasons are measured in snowfall totals, while others are measured in moments. This one had a little bit of everything.
After a summer and fall spent building anticipation, this lovely mountain community came back ready to embrace whatever the season had to offer. Making the most of it and finding the fun, which ultimately became the theme of the season. Ahead of winter, we kicked things off with a simple message: “You’re not here because you like it. You’re here because you love it.” Love continues to show up no matter the conditions.
This season was definitely a weird one. Every curveball Mother Nature threw our way, this community kept showing up. From opening day all the way into May, people continued to get after it no matter what the mountain gave us.
At the end of the day, the reason we click into skis or strap into a snowboard was never about perfect conditions. It’s about the art of expressing your style in the beautiful mountains we are so lucky to call home. That sensation of movement keeps us coming back. Just as much as the shredding itself, it’s the chairlift conversations, the views, the laughter, and the moments spent with the people we love most that define our obsession of riding the mountain.
This season may have looked different. But in all the ways that matter, it was just as special as any other. Let’s take a look back at some of our favorite moments.
If you’re not into reading…
The Content Team put together a season recap edit. Hit play and relive all the unforgettable moments from the 25/26 season.
December: Making the Most of It
December brought early season laps off the magic carpet, lively après, and a community that showed up no matter what. It wasn’t the start we’re used to, but that didn’t stop anyone from getting after it. December set the tone for a season built on showing up, finding the fun, and making the most of every moment.
“Opening Day”
December 6
With the magic carpet spinning and the hike park open, Opening Day wasn’t about how much terrain was available. It was about being back. Kids clicked into skis for the first time, families shared those early season moments together, and park riders wasted no time getting back on steel, hiking lap after lap to shake off the offseason rust. No matter what the setup looks like, there’s nothing like that FDOH.
Tahoe Live
December 12 – 14
Just days after Opening Day, the energy was immediately ramped up. Tahoe Live returned for 3 days of music and nonstop movement. With a stacked lineup featuring Zeds Dead, Porter Robinson, Alison Wonderland, DJ Diesel, and more, the base area transformed into a winter festival. Ski boots turned into dancing shoes, and the valley became the place to be. The rave in the mountains spirit Tahoe Live brings is starting to become an early season tradition.
First Chair
December 19
Exhibition opened to the mid-station, giving skiers and riders their first real laps of the season. It wasn’t top-to-bottom just yet, but it didn’t matter. After weeks of hiking and spinning the carpet, loading a chair and stacking turns felt like a major milestone. Lap by lap, the rhythm started to come back. It wasn’t perfect, but people showed up anyway. That feeling of wind in your face as you carved down the hill was a reminder that winter was starting to take shape, although I don’t think anyone expected what was to yet to come.
Christmas Miracle Storm
December 22 – 27
From December 22nd through the 27th, it didn’t stop snowing. The storm stacked up a total of 79 inches and transformed the mountain in just a few days. Cold temps kept the snow light and fluffy, setting the stage for some of the best turns of the season. After weeks of waiting, the community got what it had been hoping for all along. Because at the end of the day, all we ever really want for Christmas is snow.
The Upper Mountain Opens
December 27
After days of nonstop snow from the Christmas Miracle storm, December 27 marked the opening of the upper mountain. With it came a wave of terrain that had been waiting for coverage, finally ready to ride. Mainline Pocket sessions were going down, Shirley and Solitude were skiing great, and just like that those classic Paliwood vibes were back. For the first time all season, top-to-bottom laps were on the menu. This was the day everything clicked. The day we were fully back.
KT-22 Opening Day
December 30
KT-22 spun for the first time of the season and the Mothership was back. The terrain that defines Palisades Tahoe was finally in play. Classic zones started coming to life, and of course, Eagles Nest didn’t go untouched. The season had barely started, and things were already getting out of hand in the best way possible.
New Year’s Eve Celebration
December 31
After a December that kept building momentum, we closed out the year with a full mountain celebration. New Year’s Eve brought the community together from daytime laps to nighttime festivities in The Village. Families gathered for music, kids’ games, disco tubing, and the East Coast balloon drop, while fireworks lit up the sky over KT Deck.
January: Finding the Flow
January brought some unforgettable powder days, but also the first corn harvest of the season. Sunny skies, warm temps, and ridiculously fun snow made for fast and playful riding, offering the first true glimpse of the Spring Skiing Capital®. With the mountain fully alive and the community back in rhythm, January settled the season into its groove.
Introducing the Pursuit Team
January 1
While ringing in the New Year, we officially launched the Pursuit Team, a group of athletes who represent the next generation of skiing and snowboarding at the highest level. These aren’t just up-and-comers, they’ve already proven themselves on some of the biggest stages in the sport, and they’re just getting started. From Freeride World Tour podiums to standout performances on the junior circuit and beyond, this team is already making noise. And now, with the support of the Palisades Tahoe community behind them, they’re stepping into the next chapter of their careers. These athletes help carry the identity of this place beyond the Sierra, representing the mountain and its culture on the global stage.
New Year Pow Storm
January 2 – 8
Just a couple days into the new year, winter hit the gas pedal again. From January 2 through January 8, the mountain picked up 50 inches of new snow, delivering a stretch of classic powder days that had everyone frothing. In fact, more than 95% of January’s snowfall came during this storm cycle alone. Storm laps kept visibility low and face shots high, while the bluebird days that followed brought some of the best riding of the season. Not long after the Christmas Miracle storm transformed the mountain, this weather cycle doubled down.
Natural Selection Ski Super Session Athlete Announcement
January 15
Natural Selection announced the athlete roster for its first-ever Ski Super Session, and the local representation ran deep. Connery Lundin, Hannah Epsteyn, and Indy Boyer, were officially invited to compete on the same mountains they grew up skiing since day one. All three came up through Team Palisades Tahoe, spending years honing their skills on the steep terrain and natural features that define this place. Now they were getting the opportunity to throw down on a global stage with a shot at earning a spot in the Alaska finals.
Gold Coast Park Opens
January 15
With early spring conditions in January, the terrain park crew took full advantage and got to work. On January 15, Gold Coast Park officially opened for the season, bringing one of the most iconic spring park setups back to life. The kind of park that draws pros from around the world to travel here just to get a taste of the magic was back. From opening day all the way deep into May, Gold Coast remained one of the best parks around.
KT Bass Bar
January 19
This season KT Bass Bar leveled up and doubled the amount of events compared to last year. 50 live DJ events lit up the base area from December through spring. Every Friday and Saturday skiers and riders gathered beneath glowing alpenglow skies with the peaks of Palisades towering in the background. This same energy showed up every single weekend all season long.
Mighty Mite World Cup
January 20
The future of skiing was on full display at the Mighty Mite World Cup. Each winter, Team Palisades Tahoe’s youngest athletes step into the start gate for one of the most wholesome and events of the season, bringing together generations of ski racing tradition on the legendary Jimmy Heuga Nastar Course. The Mighty Mite World Cup is a glimpse into the next generation of mountain athletes growing up on these slopes and falling in love with the sport one run at a time.
Ski California Safety Weekend
January 23 – 25
Safety took center stage during Ski California Safety Weekend. This is a time dedicated to educating the community on everything from deep snow awareness to basic tips to keep us all doing what we love for as long as possible. The avalanche dog demo was a fan favorite event to no surprise. Guests gathered to watch Palisades Tahoe’s highly trained patrol dogs showcase the lifesaving skills they rely on during avalanche rescue operations. It was a reminder that behind every great powder day is an entire team working to keep this mountain community safe. Always be sure to thank a patroller when you see them around the mountain.
February: Freeride Froth
After a somewhat dry January, February brought winter vibes roaring back with some of the best days of the season. The storm of the season came through and at times it felt like it was never going to stop snowing. The snow continued to fall from the sky and no one was complaining. The mountain transformed into a freeride paradise once again, and with conditions being all-time everyone was out there trying to stake their claim as the “best skier on the mountain.”
IFSA Qualifier 3*
February 4 – 8
A 3 star freeride comp brought a stacked field of skiers and snowboarders to throw down off the steep terrain of C2. Conditions weren’t exactly all-time, but that didn’t stop the local rippers from putting on a show. Technical lines reminded everyone that the Tahoe freeride scene thrives no matter what kind of snow the comp is held on. Pursuit Team athletes Tavo Sadeg and Zeb Schreiber brought home some hardware taking home first place in Snowboard Men and Ski Men while representing the next generation freeride.
The Setup Storm
February 11
This day brought one of those sneaky-good Tahoe powder days. Six inches of fresh snow blanketed the mountain and brought back the feeling everyone had been missing since the last storm cycle. With the forecast ahead looking promising the entire community knew this was just the warm-up for something even bigger on the horizon.
The Storm of the Year
February 16 – 21
From February 16 through February 21, 115 inches of cold blower snow fell from the sky. At times it genuinely felt like it was never going to stop snowing. The storms came in cold, delivering snow that felt deep like Japan and blower like Utah. The mountain transformed into a freeride paradise where every single turn whether aggressive or mellow delivered face shot after face shot.
February 16 kicked things off with a classic free refill storm day. Visibility was low, but the stoke was through the roof. On February 17, conditions became so intense that operations had to be suspended at Palisades. There was simply too much snow to safely keep terrain open at the speed required for avalanche mitigation and mountain operations. February 18 brought another all-time refill day with chest-deep turns across the mountain, and by February 19, the storm still refused to let up. Palisades once again suspended operations while Alpine managed to spin a few lifts, giving skiers and riders a chance to score powder turns during one of the deepest days of the season.
Then came Friday, February 20th. After nearly a week of nonstop snowfall, everyone woke up to fully bluebird skies without a cloud in sight. Snow stacked everywhere, glowing in the morning sun after days of storm riding chaos. It went from not being able to see halfway up the mountain due to low vis, to seeing all 8 peaks in the most majestic form with untracked lines everywhere. Over at Alpine, the entire mountain opened with top-to-bottom powder laps delivering some of the best turns of the year. At Palisades, the upper mountain still needed extensive avalanche mitigation and digging after absorbing an absurd amount of snow throughout the week. With the lower mountain being the only terrain open, all eyes turned toward KT-22 and the Fingers. The second chairs started loading, the crowd naturally gravitated toward the base to watch the race unfold. Noah Gaffney once again claimed the first descent, pointing it straight downhill without hesitation before stomping one of the wildest airs thrown off the Fingers all season. After that, the floodgates opened. Skiers and snowboarders continued sending throughout the day until the landings were completely bomb holed from left to right.
On February 21, the upper mountain finally opened. After days of nonstop snowfall and tireless overnight work from patrol, grooming, lift maintenance, and mountain operations crews, all that untouched terrain was finally ready to ride. The turns that followed were the kind people talk about for years. This storm cycle could warrant its own blog it was that good.
As incredible as this storm cycle was, none of it happens without the teams working through the night in whiteout conditions, brutal winds, and nonstop snowfall to make the mountain safe. While the clips, photos, and stories from storms like this live forever, it all starts with the people behind the scenes putting in countless hours so the rest of us can experience days like these.
Natural Selection Ski Super Session
February 23
Not long after the storm cycle of the season, the weather window finally aligned for the highly anticipated Natural Selection Ski Super Session. After some challenges getting the originally planned venue into shape, the NST crew pivoted to the legendary terrain of Granite Chief. With deep snow across the Granite Chief Peak, the eight invited athletes put on a clinic, dropping massive cliffs, stylish airs, and picking lines that longtime locals hadn’t even considered before. When things wrapped up, local skier Hannah Epsteyn and Jonah Williams stood on top, both earning their ticket to the finals in Alaska. After the riding ended, the party continued at Sierra Surf Club where the athletes were joined by the Tahoe community to relive the day’s biggest sends and cap off a Super Session that perfectly showcased both the talent of the athletes and the legendary terrain of Palisades Tahoe.
March: The Return of the Spring Skiing Capital®
March is usually Tahoe’s snowiest month of the year, but this season had other plans. Instead of the Miracle March storms we all know and love, the month finished with a big fat zero inches of snowfall. Instead of snow, March brought warm temps, soft snow, and full-on spring corn cycles. The Spring Skiing Capital® vibes were officially back. Park laps and soft slushy turns under the sun felt different than usual, but ridiculously fun in their own way.
Charlie’s First Day of Work
March 10
March brought one of the cutest additions to the mountain: Charlie, the newest member of the Palisades Tahoe Avalanche Dog team. At just 10 weeks old, the border collie officially began his training under Patroller Bruce Welton, starting the long journey toward someday helping save lives in the mountains. While Charlie still has plenty to learn, he’s already loving life in the Sierra, spending his days around the patrol team, growing alongside the other avalanche dogs, and getting comfortable on snow. Small now, but with a big future ahead, Charlie quickly became one of the most beloved little locals on the mountain.
Pain McShlonkey Classic
March 21
Every year, snowbladers from across the community come together to honor the legacy of Shane McConkey the only way that really makes sense: by skiing hard while refusing to take any of it too seriously. Outrageous costumes, questionable race tactics, huge laughs, and plenty of après made for another unforgettable day celebrating one of the most influential figures in ski culture. While this year’s event featured an adjusted course on Mountain Run instead of the usual KT-22 terrain, the vibes were just as rowdy. There may have even been a couple cheaters that got away with the very loose format, but whatever it takes I guess. At the end of the day, the Pain McShlonkey Classic once again reminded everyone that skiing is supposed to be fun.
The Mothership Classic
March 22
The Mothership Classic returned bringing together retro ski gear, nonstop hot laps, and a whole lot of community support for the High Fives Foundation. From first chair to last lap, skiers and riders spent the day stacking laps across the mountain in everything from skinny skis and mono-skis to outrageous throwback outfits that looked straight out of an old ski movie.
Snow Golf
March 22
For the 40th year, skiers and snowboarders traded powder skis for collared shirts, golf clubs, and tennis balls as the mountain transformed into the only top-to-bottom snow golf course around. Starting from the top of Summit Express, competitors worked their way down the mountain hole by hole, mixing golf swings with turns in one of the most uniquely Tahoe events of the season. Snow Golf delivered a full day of stripe shows, slices, and plenty of “FORE!” calls echoing through the peaks of Alpine. A great day on the course before wrapping up with a classic Caddyshack-themed après party at The Chalet.
Spring Conditions Update featuring Kyle & Donny
March 25
March also brought one of the more hilarious moments of the season when legendary Maine skier Donny Pelletier linked up with Palisades Mountain Manager Kyle Crezee for a spring conditions update. With snowfall this season far and few in between, Kyle took the opportunity to educate Donny on the fine art of spring operations, from grooming strategy to maximizing corn cycles and making the most of warm Sierra days. The two students of the game cruised around the mountain talking snow conditions, spring skiing culture, and the undeniable truth that soft corn turns under the California sun are an elite experience in their own right. By the end of the day, both came to the same conclusion: spring skiing at Palisades Tahoe is all-time.
Toyota U.S. Mogul Freestyle Championships
March 26 – 29
At the end of March, the best bump skiers in the country came to Olympic Valley for the Toyota U.S. Mogul Freestyle Championships. Originally planned for Red Dog Face, low snowpack conditions forced the event team to pivot venues over to Siberia Bowl, and honestly, the change could not have worked out better. With the mogul course dropping directly beneath the towering walls of the Palisades, the competition unfolded inside one of the most scenic natural amphitheaters in skiing. Spectators lined the venue to watch athletes launch massive airs, absorb bumps at absurd speeds, and battle head-to-head in dual moguls with the iconic backdrop behind them. The Palisades already command attention on any given day, but adding the nation’s top mogul skiers to the mix turned Siberia Bowl into one of the coolest viewing experiences of the entire season.
April: The Season Reboot
Just when it seemed like the season might wrap up by mid-April, the storms came roaring back. Unexpected snowfall stacked up throughout the month totaling 84 inches by the end of April, extending operations deep into May and bringing the return of soft powder turns that had recently felt like a distant thought. This community was eager to enjoy all the pow turns they could get and squeeze every last slash out of the season possible. April brought a fresh wave of freeride froth and completely ruined everyone’s mental state to move on to summer.
The Return of Powder
April 2
After being stranded for 40 straight days without any pow turns, April 2 finally brought the refresh this community had been dreaming about. The lead-up to the storm felt like an emotional rollercoaster. Forecasts shifted back and forth, excitement turned to skepticism, and at one point it looked like rain might completely hijack the whole thing. But eventually, the storm delivered where it mattered most. The upper mountain picked up 24 inches of fresh snow while winds howled over 130 mph. It wasn’t exactly the picture-perfect storm from top to bottom, but after such a long stretch without new snow, nobody cared. Every fresh turn felt earned and every slash felt like a reminder of why powder days mean so much around here. Funitel rides were packed shoulder-to-shoulder with skiers and snowboarders all chasing the exact same thing: one more deep turn. And because nobody knew if this would be the last real storm of the season, the community soaked in every single lap like it was the last piece of cake.
Spring Returns
April 7
Not long after the powder returned, warm Sierra sunshine came right back around and the regularly scheduled spring skiing program was officially back in session. The Wiggles got reshaped, the terrain park crew fired up another fresh setup, and the mountain returned to that playful spring rhythm everyone knows and loves. Soft snow, slushy side hits, and endless possibilities turned the upper mountain into a giant playground once again. Pursuit Team athletes Tavo Sadeg and Nate Bromley were spotted taking advantage of it, bouncing between park laps and Wiggles sessions while making the most of the fast, forgiving conditions.
Rahlves Banzai Tour
April 10 – 12
The legendary Rahlves’ Banzai Tour returned to Palisades Tahoe this spring, and the mountain delivered some gnarly conditions. Heavy snowfall, brutal winds, and low visibility turned the course into pure chaos. While most race events are built around perfectly groomed corduroy and precision carving, the Banzai has always been about adapting and surviving no matter what the mountain throws at you. This year’s event fully embodied that spirit. One of the upper sections of the course quickly became a full-on yard sale zone with competitors violently tomahawking, losing skis, and scrambling to click back in before charging downhill again. At times, the race became less about perfect turns and more about who could recover the fastest and keep going. It was rowdy, intense, unpredictable, and wildly entertaining exactly the way a Rahlves’ Banzai event should feel.
The Palisades Show
April 13
After days of storm riding, the skies finally cleared and delivered one of the most glorious bluebird powder days of the entire season. Overnight, the storm broke apart and revealed deep fresh snow beneath crystal-clear skies while a perfect inversion settled across the upper mountain, placing a thin layer of clouds that added to the natural beauty. With more than 40 inches of fresh snow stacking up over the previous few days, the Palisades absolutely came alive. Every line seemed to go. From the Chimney to National, athletes were charging some of the most iconic in bound terrain in North America while oozing with style. With limited upper mountain terrain open, the attention naturally gravitated toward the Palisades where local rippers, pro athletes, and some of the best skiers and snowboarders around gathered for a one of the coolest sessions in recent history. If you had brought a lawn chair and posted up at the Newport viewing area, it would’ve felt like watching a live-action ski movie play out right in front of your eyes.
A Little Dose of WonderGrass
April 18
After a couple seasons away, WonderGrass made its return this spring and the community showed up for it. The KT Deck transformed into a mountain amphitheater as Pickin’ On The Dead and Broken Compass Bluegrass filled the base area with live music, dancing, and that unmistakable springtime energy that fits this place so perfectly. Ski boots tapped along to bluegrass jams, drinks were raised in the afternoon sun, and people of all ages gathered beneath the peaks of Palisades soaking in the atmosphere together. More than just a concert, A Little Dose of WonderGrass felt like a celebration of mountain culture itself, where shredding, music, and community all blended into one of those afternoons you never really want to end.
The Stomped 360 Heard Around the World
April 23
Just when it seemed like spring had fully settled back in, Mother Nature decided she wasn’t done yet. Another storm rolled through and dropped 12 inches of fresh snow across the upper mountain, putting the Palisades right back in play for another round of chaos. After the previous Palisades session earlier in the month, it honestly felt hard to imagine the zone getting skied any harder. Then Ross Tester showed up fresh off the Freeride World Tour and basically told everyone to hold his beer. In one of the heaviest moments of the entire season, Ross launched an absolutely massive left 3 off Center Line while wearing a T-shirt. It was the kind of clip that makes it tough to just casually move on with your day after watching something that gnarly. Beyond Ross’ ridiculous send, the day itself was another classic April powder session filled with soft turns and disbelief that it was somehow still snowing this deep into spring. During the first April storm we all seemed to have been savoring every last pow turn because we didn’t know if it was our last and then here we are in late April 84 inches later.
May: The Last Laps
May brought consistent warm weather, and soft slushy snow. The park continued to fire, the Wiggles delivered surfy turns with endless flow, and every last lap of the season felt best spent with the homies. This is officially the time of year when single-sport days become frowned upon. Locals were lapping chairs in the morning before hopping on mountain bikes, or swinging the chrome sticks on the course by afternoon. Multi-sport season had officially arrived, and this community was soaking in every last turn possible before hanging the up the shredding devices for the summer.
The Cushing Crossing
May 2
After weather delays and a handful of reschedules, the Cushing Crossing finally returned right back on its original date like it was always meant to happen that way. And once the community gathered around Cushing Pond once again, it immediately felt worth the wait. Thousands of spectators stacked the natural amphitheater surrounding the pond while competitors in ridiculous costumes pointed it toward the water hoping to either skim successfully or at least crash in spectacular fashion. The event delivered exactly what makes the Cushing Crossing so legendary: massive splashes, stylish makes, and pure springtime chaos. From horse chariot attempts to Lindsey Vonn casually skimming across the pond like one of the locals, the afternoon somehow continued to outdo itself run after run. More than anything, the Cushing Crossing once again proved why it remains one of the most beloved traditions in skiing and snowboarding. Year after year, this event brings the entire community together for one giant celebration and remains one of the greatest shows on snow.
Wiggle Warriors
May 9
Late season at Palisades Tahoe means that the wiggles officially take over delivering some of the most playful laps of the entire season. Built out nearly overhead in sections, the Wiggles transformed into a flowing maze of berms, rollers, and perfectly surfy turns that had skiers and snowboarders slashing their way down the mountain. Our Pro and Pursuit athletes spent the day lapping the wiggle making every turn look silky smooth. If you’ve never experienced getting barreled by the ocean, the Shirley Wiggles might be the closest thing you can get on snow.
Gold Coast Party Laps
May 10
When May comes around, the Gold Coast Park transforms into the ultimate spring playground. The terrain park crew gets creative with the snowpack, building and reshaping features that inspires nothing but style. Late-season sessions off Gold Coast have become a magnet for skiers and snowboarders from all over the world, all showing up to get a piece of what this place has to offer. The Hollywood vibes are always present here and the spring park laps justify that.
Made in Tahoe Spring Festival
May 23 – 24
As the lifts spin for the final time and another ski season comes to a close, the celebration continues down in The Village with the Made in Tahoe Spring Festival. In many ways, it feels like the perfect ending to another memorable season. Throughout the winter, this community continues to make Palisades Tahoe feel special no matter what conditions show up. From bell to bell skiing to après, the people are what truly give this place its soul. And during Made in Tahoe, that same community shows up one final time not just to take their last turns of the season, but to celebrate the local businesses, artists, musicians, breweries, restaurants, and creators that help shape the culture of Tahoe year-round. It’s a reminder that while the snow eventually melts out, the community that makes this place special never goes away.
Whether you were shredding bell to bell every chance you got or just sneaking in a couple laps before kicking off the après, we’re grateful to share this legendary mountain with all of you. Thank you for supporting the mountains, the people behind the scenes, and the community that continues to make Palisades Tahoe feel so special.
Soon enough, the snow will melt and we’ll all pretend to fully embrace summer. But once fall rolls around and the film tours kick off, we all know what will be top of mind. Enjoy the summer in the mountains, and we hope to see you back on the shred sticks once the snow starts falling from the sky.
Until next season, keep finding the fun.
