This week's high winds have played havoc at high elevations, but numerous Sierra Nevada ski resorts are open for business.
Most expect favorable ski conditions to resume this weekend – particularly Sunday – as a windy weather front moves east onto the Great Plains.
The list of popular resort destinations open includes Heavenly, Kirkwood, Boreal, Squaw Valley and Northstar.
Snow depths are not massive as yet – Kirkwood, with a base elevation of 7,800 feet, is reporting snow base depths of 11 to 16 inches – but resort operators said they are continually grooming slopes, and icy conditions are expected to subside along with the recent high winds.
Eric Doyne, a spokesman for Ski Lake Tahoe, said the late-running spring ski season earlier this year – numerous resorts were still open in June – is likely to generate momentum in the upcoming season.
"Resorts are very optimistic, especially coming off the abnormal year where we had twice as much snowfall as usual," Doyne said. "Actually right now, we're right on track with the December time frame, with the resorts that are open and the others getting ready to open soon."
Doyne noted that numerous deals are available for skiers planning to hit the slopes early in the season. Some Lake Tahoe resorts are touting ski-and-stay packages as low as $79 per night.
While season passes can be ordered through all resorts, some will not open for a week or two.
Scheduled openings listed on the www.onthesnow.com website include Homewood Mountain Resort south of Tahoe City (Dec. 10) and Donner Ski Ranch in Norden (Dec. 18).
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