Operations Update: Sunny Weekend Ahead As Terrain Expands

We are finally experiencing a true break in the weather after an additional 4 inches of snow overnight. Icing and mechanical issues caused a few lift delays this morning, but we feel confident that we will be able to open up normally over the next couple of days thanks to the good weather. One item of note is that the upcoming temperatures for the week are going to be very cold. These forecasted temperatures are our lowest in 5 years for this time of year, so bundle up! As we look ahead into this weekend, we expect a high skier turnout and clear, sunny skies for Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday. Another weather pattern moves in on Monday.

Lift & Terrain Updates: Palisades

• Today we ran Resort Chair, First Venture, Far East, Red Dog, KT-22, Exhibition, Olympic Lady, Wa She Shu, the Funitel, Gold Coast, Shirley, Big Blue, the Aerial Tram, Mountain Meadow, and Bailey’s Beach.
• Wa She Shu, the Aerial Tram, Bailey’s Beach, and Mountain Meadow started the day on wind holds, but all were open by noon.
• Big Blue, Far East, and Olympic Lady started the day off on mechanical holds, all of which were due to icing issues. Mechanics came in extra early this morning to work on Red Dog, so thanks to them, that lift was able to open promptly. Shirley also had mechanical issues this morning, but our teams were able to resolve them. This level of mechanical issues is common after the storm spell we just received.
• The Funitel will continue to run at low capacity of 6-10 people for clearance purposes.
• Broken Arrow has been bumped from our available open lifts. We have identified a safety hazard with the way we cut the road and need to re-cut it. It will be back once the new road is complete.
• We will be aiming to add three lifts tomorrow: Belmont, Solitude, and Siberia. There is no terrain park in Belmont yet. Our grooming crew started building the road to the top of Siberia, but there was zero visibility and we abandoned the effort for safety purposes. Visibility was described as “uncomfortably low.” We are hoping for clear weather tonight so that we can put the road in. Once the road is in, we still need to dig out the patrol shack before we can open the lift, and we are aiming to complete that digout in the morning.
• Tomorrow we expect Resort Chair, Red Dog, Exhibition, Olympic Lady, KT-22, the Funitel, the Tram, Big Blue, Gold Coast, Shirley, Mountain Meadow, Bailey’s Beach, and Belmont to open without delays.
• Emigrant still needs some time. Check out yesterday’s photos of that lift if you haven’t yet.
• Granite Chief needs to have full avalanche control completed. We are hoping to do that tomorrow and then we will immediately begin a full setup with hill safety and boundary markings.
• Our Silverado update remains the same: Once all other lifts are spinning, we will put three machines to work on Oregon Trail.

Lift & Terrain Updates: Alpine

• Today we opened Summit, Roundhouse, Treeline Cirque, Scott, Subway and the Big Carpet.
• Summit began the day on a mechanical hold because our scanning gates were not working and had to be rebooted. It is important that we capture your scanning data so that we know your last scan location in case of emergency.
• On Saturday, we will likely be able to add Sherwood. Lift maintenance is currently working there and will move to Lakeview next. If we can get Lakeview ready, we will open that this weekend as well.

This Weekend: Be Prepared

The weather this weekend is going to be excellent at the start: clear blue skies, bright sun, and heaps of fresh snow. These conditions know how to draw a crowd, especially after the resort was closed for a few days earlier this week. You should expect some lines, so please bring your patience with you.

As Sunday/Monday roll in, the weather is likely to turn to snow again, making Monday a very bad travel day. Please, please be cognizant of conditions before you attempt to travel. This past week saw the Tahoe region in a state of emergency with road closures due to spinouts, accidents, and whiteout conditions. If you have to travel in winter weather, you must be prepared. Please use our list of resources for checking conditions and winter driving.

If you are coming from outside of the Lake Tahoe region

Please understand that a large number of road closures and heavy snowfall had widespread impacts on our infrastructure this week. We ask that you be mindful of the limited resources in our mountain town at this time. Consider topping off your gas tank before coming up the mountain. Many of our gas stations have no fuel whatsoever. Additionally, many of our grocery stores have not been able to get shipments in. Get groceries before coming up to the mountains as well. We would love for you to support our local restaurants, bearing in mind that they may be short on supplies after this week, too.

Before You Leave for the Resort

• Check road conditions. We recommend staying informed with the CalTrans Quick Map mobile app.
• Leave early. Our parking lots will likely fill by 9am. If our lots fill, do not keep trying to drive to the resort. Please use one of our free, convenient regional transportation options instead (listed below). At Palisades, you can get breakfast at Starbucks, Coffeebar, or Wildflour. At Alpine, you can get breakfast at Mogrog or Treats.
• Check parking status using the Palisades Tahoe mobile app. You can now get real-time updates on how much parking is available in all of our lots to help you make informed decisions about where to park.
• If you want to guarantee a spot, a small amount of prepaid parking is available at Alpine only.
• Consider carpooling in a Covid-safe pod. Carpools of 3+ get to park in our premium lots while space is available.
• We recommend booking tickets, lessons, rentals, and activities online rather than waiting to buy in person. You’ll save money and it will take less time.

When You Arrive

• Wear a mask in public spaces, regardless of vaccination status, including on the Tram and Funitel.
• Try to maintain 6 feet of distance where possible.
• If you booked a lesson + rental and/or tickets, all of those things can be picked up at once. At Palisades, visit the Ski School Rental Shop, located across from Le Chamois behind the Aerial Tram building. At Alpine, Ski School is on the lower level of the Alpine Lodge. You do not need to wait in separate ticket and rental lines.
• If you booked a rental and a ticket, the rental shop can print your tickets for you. You do not need to wait in a ticket line as well. At Palisades, the Rental Shop is between the Ticket Office and Parallel Mountain Sports. At Alpine, the Rental Shop is on the lower level of the Alpine Lodge.
• If you are picking up a lift ticket only, you can use the self-serve kiosks in the Funitel plaza to print your ticket.

Tips For a Smooth Day

• Carry your credit card in a pocket (but not next to your pass or lift ticket!) This will make it easy to grab lunch or a drink on-mountain without having to go back to your car.
• Not all locations accept Apple pay or cash. If you don’t want to bring a credit card, you can link your credit card to your pass and scan your pass to pay when you sign up for Resort Charge. You can call to set it up or visit us in person. We recommend doing this ahead of time, not the day of your arrival.
• Consider ordering food online for pick up. You can order at the top of the mountain and pick up your food after skiing down.
• Store your stuff in a rental locker, not in public spaces. Lockers are available in the Tram building, at the top of the Funitel and in the Alpine Lodge.
• Use the Palisades Tahoe mobile app to check lift wait times, lift status, and more.

Free Public Transportation Options

We have so many options for public transportation. Please use them as an alternative to adding another vehicle on our Tahoe roadways.

• Take the TART Bus any day to get to and from the resort: The free regional TART bus travels from Truckee and from Tahoe City on a regular schedule. Schedule here.
• Use the TART Connect to get dinner or explore in Tahoe City: The free TART Connect will be operating on Friday & Saturday night, connecting the Olympic Valley and Tahoe City communities between the hours of 5:30pm and 10:30pm. Download the app or call 530-214-5811 to arrange a pickup.
• Take the Mountaineer shuttle from your in-valley hotel or cabin to the resort: Use the free Mountaineer shuttle to be dropped off anywhere in the community of Alpine Meadows or anywhere in the community of Olympic Valley. Summon this shuttle like an Uber using their app.
• Use the Palisades Tahoe Express Shuttle to go between the two mountains: Track the location of this free shuttle by using the Palisades Tahoe mobile app and looking under “Lift Status.” The Palisades shuttle stop is across from Coffeebar and the Alpine shuttle stop is directly in front of the breezeway.