The National Weather Service is calling for significant snowfall to continue at Lake Tahoe this weekend, and resorts around the lake are opening more terrain for skiers and riders to enjoy.

Up to two feet of fresh snow fell at upper elevations overnight Friday night, and another, stronger storm is forecast to arrive late Sunday afternoon, with another two feet and more possible. Skiers and snowboarders, who have been waiting for weeks for a significant storm are flocking to the slopes to enjoy the fresh powder.

The following new release was issued by Vail Resorts on Saturday, January 21, 2012...

TRUCKEE and SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Jan. 21, 2012 – The National Weather Service is calling for significant snowfall to continue at Lake Tahoe this weekend, and both Heavenly and Northstar are prepared to capitalize on it and open even more terrain for skiers and riders to enjoy. Already featuring the most open terrain in Tahoe thanks to extensive snowmaking systems, the two resorts are best positioned to take advantage of the new snowfall and expand the terrain accessible within their boundaries.
 
“We’re taking advantage of the snow that’s falling and are working to quickly open more terrain. Today alone we were able to open nine more trails,” said Bill Rock, chief operating officer at Northstar. “This first storm is helping to build on the base we already had thanks to our snowmaking and grooming efforts, allowing us to continue to offer our guests the best snow conditions and a complete winter mountain experience.”
 
Northstar currently has 39 open trails accessed by 16 lifts, featuring top-to-bottom skiing and riding on 2,280 vertical feet of terrain. The resort has continued to open new terrain throughout the season, having just opened Iron Horse, one of the more popular advanced trails on the Backside of the mountain, as well as Woodchuck and Ax Handle, intermediate trails located on the front of the mountain just prior to the storm’s arrival.
 
Offering a complete winter mountain resort experience, Northstar has all three of its on-mountain lodges open daily, as well as lift served snow tubing and guided snowshoe tours. The resort is preparing to open its cross-country ski trails in the coming days as well. The Village at Northstar is open, offering shopping, dining, interactive activities such as candle making, pottery painting and jewelry design, and access to the resort’s two movie theaters and 9,000 square foot outdoor skating rink.
 
Heavenly has already received more than 21 inches of snow since it started falling, adding to the 18-24” base the resort already had thanks to its snowmaking efforts. With the new snowfall, skiers and riders will have access to 30 trails accessed by 24 lifts, featuring top-to-bottom skiing and riding on 3,500 vertical feet and more than 19 miles of terrain. The resort has all three of its Ski and Ride School locations open, as well as eight of its nine on-mountain lodges.
 
“Winter is finally here and we couldn’t be more excited. The storm door is open and we’re looking forward to another round of storms this weekend,” said Pete Sonntag, Heavenly’s general manager. “The new snow has really added to the significant head start our snowmaking has given us in terms of the amount and quality of terrain we have open.”