The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association has provided a brief overview of all the new going's on around North Lake Tahoe this winter, including more than $100 million in improvements.

(NORTH LAKE TAHOE, California/Nevada) – Meteorologists are predicting another banner winter in North Lake Tahoe. Last year, the destination received more than 70 feet of snow, making for epic conditions December through May. Ski resorts continue to enhance winter offerings with more than $100 million in capital improvements planned throughout the region.

Breaking news was announced last month with two large mountains, Palisades Tahoe USA and Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, officially merging operations and now offering season passes and lift tickets that give skiers and riders access to both mountains and a combined 6,000 acres of ski terrain, making it the largest resort in the U.S.

Vail Resorts has unrolled $30 million in capital improvements at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, opening for skiing and riding November 18, including the installation of a new 1,440-foot detachable quad chairlift, a new 700-seat on-mountain restaurant atop the resort’s Tahoe Zephyr Express Lift with its expansive views of the Pacific Crest and 170 additional acres of new side country terrain. Upgrades also include the construction of a new 22-foot half pipe that will be designed by two-time Olympic gold medalist and professional snowboarder Shaun White, who now calls Northstar Resort his home mountain and primary training resort. This season brings EpicMix, Vail Resorts’ award-winning app, to Northstar, which allows guests to share their ski and snowboard experience via social media and take advantage of real-time features, such as finding friends on the mountain.

Palisades Tahoe USA, and owner KSL Capital Partners, has announced the details of a five-year, $50 million capital improvement plan that will include a new restaurant and bar in the heart of the village, a remodel of the famed Olympic House sundeck, transformation of the Olympic House into a new day lodge and family recreation center and a renovation of the 17,000-square-foot Squaw Kids facility. Scheduled upgrades on the mountain include the addition of the new Funitel’s Mountaintop Café and Market along with the only ski-in, ski-out coffee shop in the country, as well as new magic carpet lifts, rental gear, progression-based terrain features and a new lesson structure. The ski resort plans to open November 23.

Off Highway 431 and near Incline Village, Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe, opening November 23, now features four webcam views on the resort’s main side and four images taken in the Slide Bowl. Also new is the Mt. Rose iPhone app, which is available for free in the iTunes Store and includes weather conditions, web cams, pictures of the day, lift status and road conditions. Other new improvements for this winter are push notifications, events tab, special offers and a more extensive snow report. Mt. Rose has also completed the lower section of the Silver Dollar snowmaking project, allowing early season access to the Slide Bowl portion of the resort.

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, opening TBD, will debut a new fleet of high-end demo and rental equipment this winter that takes advantage of the new rocker technologies. Additionally, the resort has created a new instructional program called Adventure 55, geared exclusively towards baby boomers. The eight-week program takes place on Tuesdays with the goal of pairing like-minded individuals looking to meet other active-minded members of their age group to explore Alpine Meadows’ varied terrain.

With an intimate, beginner ski hill, and lift access to cross country skiing, Granlibakken is perfect for those just learning, along with Nordic skiers. New this year to the historic property, located in a secluded valley just outside Tahoe City, is the Lighthouse Spa with a variety of treatments, such as massage therapy, skincare, manicures and pedicures, body waxing and healing treatments. The ski resort opens December 16.

Homewood Mountain Resort, on the West Shore, is the second resort in North America to install the Magnestick chair lift safety technology. It was introduced at Alpine Meadows Ski Resort last winter. The Magnestick chair lift safety system, which keeps kids in place on the lift, includes an electromagnetic seatback and corresponding magnetic vest worn by child riding a chair lift. When a child reaches the chair lift deboarding platform, the vest is deactivated allowing for a seamless release from the seatback. Magnestick has been installed on the resort’s Quail chairlift, which is adjacent to Homewood’s children center. Opening date is TBD.

On Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort has skiers and riders saving on lift tickets every day of the season with their CORE Daily Pass. The pass, a points-based loyalty and rewards program, offers $15 off all-day rack rate lift ticket for just a $19 annual membership. CORE members also earn points every time they ski and ride, and for every qualifying dollar spent, it can be redeemed for free items across the resort. Season pass holders also get $10 off a friend’s lift ticket. Opening date is TBD.

Woodward Tahoe, located at Boreal Mountain Resort also on Donner Summit, is opening summer of 2012. It's an indoor action sports training center with trampolines, ski/board ramp, foam pit, urban-style skate and BMX Park. This 33,000-square-foot facility is the largest of its kind in the U.S. The ski resort plans to open October 31 as long as Mother Nature continues to cooperate.

All opening dates are subject to conditions, including Diamond Peak Ski Resort in Incline Village, which is scheduled to open December 15.