Alpine Meadows Ski Resort announced today plans to open for skiing and snowboarding on December 5, conditions permitting. 

Alpine Meadows has traditionally not stated an opening day, opting to wait for conditions to dictate when they could open. However, this year's announcement establishes a new approach. 

“The idea of establishing an opening day early is that it will allow skiers to plan ahead,” said Kent Hoopingarner, Alpine Meadows general manager. “Whether guests live locally or plan to visit from outside the Tahoe Basin, many tend to plan around when ski season begins.”
Alpine Meadows plans to open with access to the mid mountain slopes via Roundhouse high-speed quad chair at minimum. Additional chair lift openings will be announced as conditions permit.

Early season temperatures and snowmaking will be critical to the plan.

“We're committed to opening more terrain from the very beginning,” Hoopingarner said.  “We want to open with superb snow conditions and more terrain choices.  With a date in mind this year, snowmakers, groomers, and lift maintenance crews can plan accordingly.”

Plans for the end of the season are also in place. Conditions permitting, Alpine Meadows plans to remain fully operational until April 18 and transition to a spring operating schedule with selected lifts running on weekends through the second weekend in May. 

“Traditionally, guests who visit Alpine Meadows after Easter live locally and prefer to access the great spring snow - which is a celebrated Alpine Meadows trademark,” said Hoopingarner. 

The weather forecast for an El Nino winter (which is often accompanied by significant snow accumulation) may influence both opening and closure dates. 

“All dates aside, we at the mountain want to ski and snowboard as much as everyone else.  If there is significant snowfall and strong guest interest, then those factors will certainly afford us some flexibility,” said Hoopingarner. 

For more information about Alpine Meadows, visit SkiAlpine.com.