Well…after multiple ops blogs talking about early corn cycles and warm weather (maybe a little earlier than we’d like), and a couple of storms we savored like the last piece of cake, winter decided it wasn’t done with us just yet. At this point, with how all over the place the weather has been, we’re not even sure the weather knows what it’s doing, and no one is complaining.
This time of year usually delivers some of the best spring riding conditions in the country, but it’s pretty hard to be upset when a good old-fashioned powder day shows up. This past Wednesday brought exactly that. A classic storm day where fresh tracks were back on the menu, and just like that, we went from wearing sunnies and flannels to lowlight lenses and base layers. Cold temps, light snow, and plenty of soft turns to go around.
Then Thursday rolled around and the Paliwood vibes were back. Just 10 days after the last all-time show on the Palisades, the lineup returned. The who’s who of this valley showed up ready to throw down on some of the most iconic terrain in the game. Scott Gaffney’s Instagram post has it all. From Jay Rawe’s insane line down the Tube to Ryan Lapp’s birthday airs, it felt like everyone was going hard until a t-shirt wearing Ross Tester decided to mog everyone with one of the biggest left 3s ever sent off Center Line. And while that kind of moment could easily be the ender clip of a ski film, around here it just feels like another day in Paliwood.
With the way this season has gone, and how this spring has delivered everything from sunny corn laps to deep powder turns, it’s safe to say no one’s ready for it to end. We don’t have a closing date set just yet, but one thing’s for sure: We’re doing everything we can to keep this lovely community sliding on snow as long as conditions allow. The show goes on into May.
Weather & Conditions
Bluebird Break Before the Next Round
After this week’s storm delivered up to a foot up top, we’re rolling into a couple of classic Sierra reset days.
Expect:
- Mostly sunny skies Thursday and Friday
- Highs in the 50s at the base
- 40s on the upper mountain
A perfect window to enjoy some fresh snow with a little sunshine mixed in.
Weekend Wildcard
As we head into the weekend, things get a bit more April.
A weak system moves through bringing:
- Afternoon snow showers both Saturday and Sunday
- Colder temps, especially on Sunday
- Snow levels hovering around 7,000 – 7,500 ft Saturday, dropping near the base Sunday
You might see rain down low, snow up high, and even some wet snow making its way to the base on Sunday. Don’t expect major accumulations, but enough to keep things interesting and refresh the surface up top.
Looking Ahead
Next week trends back toward a more typical spring pattern:
- Mostly sunny skies
- Chance of afternoon showers
- Temps climbing back into the 50s and 60s at the base
There are whispers of another system in early May. We’ll believe it when we see it, but at this point, nothing’s off the table.
For a deeper dive into the forecast and long-range trends, visit our Weather Blogs, written by Bryan Allegretto of OpenSnow.
Lift & Terrain Operations
April continues to deliver, and with these recent storms, we’re feeling good about keeping lifts spinning into May. As always, we’re committed to keeping this community sliding on snow for as long as conditions allow.
Terrain Parks Update
The park crew has been putting in work, and it shows. Gold Coast Park continues to deliver some of the best park laps around, with a full top-to-bottom setup featuring:
- Hips
- Jumps
- Creative rail features
It’s a proper spring park lap with something for everyone, and the crew has been getting extra creative keeping things fresh.
Belmont Park will be closing this Sunday (4/26), so if it’s been on your list, now’s the time to get those laps in. The good news is that once Belmont wraps, many of those features will be moved over to Gold Coast to enhance the park offering even more.
New Snow Doesn’t Always Mean More Terrain
We know the question comes up every time we get fresh snow: “Are we opening more terrain?” While these storms have helped extend the season, opening additional terrain this time of year is a much bigger lift than it might seem. It requires resetting boundary lines, marking obstacles and cliffs, and ensuring both terrain zones and lifts are safe and ready to operate. That process takes a significant amount of time and effort from our on-mountain teams. And with spring conditions, any newly opened terrain would likely only last a short window before melting back out. As much as we’d love to expand terrain, our teams are operating at the speed of safety, focusing on maintaining a strong, reliable footprint with quality conditions.
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.
Events & Activities
From community gatherings to can’t-miss signature events, there’s no shortage of ways to keep the good times rolling on and off the mountain.
Truckee Tahoe Earth Day (April 26)
This Saturday, celebrate all things Tahoe at Truckee Tahoe Earth Day. It’s a day dedicated to sustainability, community, and protecting the place we all love to play.
Swing by, check it out, and show some love to the environment that makes all of this possible.
Mother Nature wanted to make this on difficult for us. After a couple of audible calls and shifting dates, Cushing Crossing is officially back to its original scheduled date: Saturday, May 2. Mark your calendars, start thinking about your costumes, and get ready for one of the most iconic days of the season.
Looking to mix it up? Bike rentals are officially live this weekend, making it easier than ever to stack a proper spring multi-sport day:
- Ski or ride in the morning
- Cruise the scenic Truckee River Bike Trail in the afternoon
Stay Sharp Out There
Spring conditions continue to bring a little bit of everything, so staying aware out there is key. Expect firm mornings that soften into corn snow throughout the day, which can make for fun turns but also changing conditions as the day goes on. Be sure to adjust your speed and terrain choices as surfaces evolve. Off-piste areas may still hold variable snow and natural hazards like rocks, stumps, and uneven terrain just below the surface.
Mountain Run remains closed due to limited coverage and inconsistent conditions. There are sections that are no longer skiable top to bottom, so for your safety (and your bases), please plan to download via the Funitel or Aerial Tram at the end of your day.
Save Your Gas Money
If you’re looking to keep things simple, consider taking advantage of alternate transportation options:
- 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
The Show Goes On
If the past week has proven anything, it’s this: There’s nowhere else you’d rather be right now. This place continues to remind us why it’s the center of the universe this time of year.
Whether you’re skiing bell to bell or sneaking in a few laps before it’s five o’clock somewhere, however you spend your time at the Spring Skiing Capital®, you’re right where you’re supposed to be. Show up, get your laps, and soak it all in. Because before you know it, you’ll be sitting on a beach chair fantasizing over the feeling of a stylish pow slash.
We’ll see you out there.
