Photo: Anadolu/Getty Images

Blizzard to "Heavily" Impact Travel to Lake Tahoe

Originally posted on Powder | By Matt Lorelli | Last updated Mar 12, 2025 12:12 PM ET

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has issued an important travel alert as feet of snow is in the immediate forecast.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 11 p.m. Tuesday (March 11) through 11 p.m. Thursday (March 13) across Northern California, including popular ski destinations in the Lake Tahoe region.

The snow is expected to be heavy with one to three feet forecasted to fall above 4,000 feet of elevation. Caltrans is warning that winds will gust to 65 mph, further hampering motorists attempting to reach Lake Tahoe via I-80. Road closures, delays, and difficult travel conditions are imminent.

Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates.

"Caltrans is alerting motorists about the next round of winter weather, which is expected to heavily impact travel," states a special traffic alert issued by Caltrans on March 11, 2025.

The alert continues, "Motorists should be prepared for chain controls, additional travel times and delays. Caltrans advises to make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas or full charge, chains, and extra supplies in the event of an emergency or if traffic is held for an extended period of time. Those supplies should include extra snacks, water, a blanket and a flashlight. Chain controls should be anticipated."

According to our friends at Powderchasers, many Lake Tahoe ski resorts will be reporting seven day snowfall totals in feet, not inches, when all is said and done.

For San Francisco skiers looking to score powder, these travel warnings should heed caution. The first wave of the storm is expected to clear by Friday, meaning travel conditions could be better by the weekend, but another round of cold snow is expected to follow suit.

Don't be surprised if I-80 closes for an extended period of time.

Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, located on the eastern side of Lake Tahoe in Nevada, has made the decision to close today, March 12, due to increasing winds and heavy snowfall. Other ski resorts across the region are open, but are preparing for the perhaps the biggest and coldest storm of the season.

Palisades Tahoe, the state's largest resort by skiable acres, has cancelled its Town Race League in anticipation for the storm.

At the time of publishing, the first flakes are beginning to fall here in Tahoe. Winds haven't picked up yet, but the gray clouds and increasing snowfall rates feels ominous.

If you're planning on driving up to Tahoe this week, please check Caltrans updates, leave the two-wheel drive car at home, and consider waiting until conditions improve.

Powder fever is real, but please consider your safety, and the safety of the motorists around you this week and weekend. If do decide to brave the storm, please consider carpooling. It helps more than you know.

Stay safe out there, friends!

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: