Northwest storms may jump-start winter for California ski resorts

“Welcome Home Winter!” the banner on Mammoth Mountain’s website said Wednesday. Mind you, snow hadn’t yet starting falling at the California ski resort, but just the hint of powder on the way was reason enough to make the declaration.

California ski resorts are counting on getting a boost from storm systems that dropped snow in Seattle and Portland, Ore., this week, causing flights to be canceled and prompting airlines to waive fees for passengers who need to change travel plans because of the weather.

Lake Tahoe-area ski resorts are poised for 3 to 5 feet of snow forecast to begin Thursday and continue through the weekend — quite a switch from the summer-like conditions that have made for one of the driest Decembers on record in the Sierra and points north.

“There are three systems coming through the area bringing snow in varying amounts to the Lake Tahoe area,” says Eric Doyne of Ski Lake Tahoe, which represents seven ski areas, including Squaw Valley. “When we get hit, we get hit hard and it can come big. That’s what we’re expecting.”

The result, of course, means ski resorts, particularly at high elevations, will be able to open more runs. Right now, Doyne says it’s too early to say exactly what that percentage of terrain will be open as a result. But another storm is expected to hit Tuesday as well.

Skies were clear at Mammoth on Wednesday as the resort continued its “man-made blizzard” using snow guns. “We’ve been watching the models closely, and our local forecaster thinks we could get 3 to 5 inches of water content, which will equate to roughly the same in feet of snow,” says spokeswoman Joani Lynch.

Yosemite National Park, which reported all trails open on Wednesday, closed the east-west Tioga Road and plans to close Glacier Point Road when the storm hits. While high elevations are expected to get snow, spokeswoman Kari Cobb says forecasts for Yosemite Valley (where all the tourists go) will likely see rain on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.