KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Lake Tahoe Ski Resort Openings Delayed
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A storm dropped a few inches of snow around Lake Tahoe, but it was not enough to allow skiers and snowboarders to hit the slopes in full force.
Like most Sierra resorts, Kirkwood had hoped to open by Thanksgiving. But a resort spokesman says even an opening this weekend appeared doubtful after Wednesday's scant snowfall.
At Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, where the resort's bunny run has been open since Nov. 13, operators are waiting for Mother Nature to deliver enough snow for full operations.
Alpine Meadows, which had initially planned to open the day before Thanksgiving, now is shooting for a tentative opening date of Dec. 6.
Resort operators prefer to open by Thanksgiving to gear up for the all-important peak Christmas holiday skiing period.
According to the California Ski Industry Association, Sierra resorts were fully open only 21% of the time on Thanksgiving in the past decade, 39% not at all and 40% partially.
The Mt. Rose and Boreal resorts have been open on a limited basis since earlier this month, while Heavenly joined them today with the same status.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
