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"Miserable" Whiteout Conditions Closes Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts

Originally posted on Powder | By Matt Lorelli | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 2:50 PM ET

A strong winter storm is delivering 1-4 feet of snow across the Sierra Nevada from March 30-April 2, 2025. Our friends at Powderchasers just published a daily storm forecast including updated snow totals, wind speeds, and more.

As of today, March 31, ski resorts across the Lake Tahoe region are reporting 6-16 inches of snow with the heaviest bands of precipitation still expected to come.

Sierra-at-Tahoe tried to open for skiing today, but according to a social media post at 10:40 a.m. local time, the storm is simply too much to open safely.

"Our teams gave it all they got to get lifts spinning, but due to the whiteout conditions + strong winds, Sierra will remain closed for the day, for the safety of guests + staff," writes the resort. "Mountain Ops will be working around the clock to maintain this storm!"

According to the resort's daily snow report, winds are blowing at 70mph in the base area and causing whiteout conditions. The report warns that heavy snow and whiteout conditions are expected to last through tomorrow night, April 1st.

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On Lake Tahoe's north shore, Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe is also closed today, March 31st, presumably due to strong winds and heavy snowfall. A simple message on the ski area's website reads, 'Resort is closed Monday, 3/31/25. Reopening 4/1/25.'

The National Weather Service is calling for westerly winds from 35 to 40mph and gusts exceeding 70mph. Mt. Rose is known for attracting strong winds and has closed chairlifts multiple times this season due to hazardous conditions.

Near Donner Summit, the small but mighty Donner Ski Ranch (DSR) is closed today and tomorrow (March 31-April 1) due to the severe winter storm. The mountain intends to reopen for what should be a fantastic powder day on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

An Instagram post from DSR explains the decision to close for the next two days. The post uses language like, "4 feet of snow in 48 hours," and "It will not be fit outside for man our beast,". See below for the comical, yet informative post.

The good news, as DSR's post makes sure to note, is that this heavy winter storm should allow ski resorts like DSR to stay open well into May.

Other ski resorts across Tahoe are open today, but are weathering the storm with lift and terrain closures. Palisades Tahoe has closed all of their upper mountain terrain as of 11:30 a.m. PST, Heavenly has 9 of 21 lifts open, and Sugar Bowl is warning that wind and weather will impact lift operations throughout the storm.

The Sierra Avalanche Center (SAC) has issued an avalanche warning for the entire central Sierra range. Avalanche danger is considered '4-High' today, March 31 at nearly all elevations and aspects.

SAC forecaster Andy Anderson uses strong words in his Forecast Discussion column of today's Avalanche Forecast. "Today's travel advice is simple: avoid traveling in, near, or below avalanche terrain," writes Anderson. "If you intend to go into the backcountry today, do so with extra caution and extra safety margins. Pay very close attention to the terrain you choose to travel in. Stick to low-angle, non-avalanche terrain without steeper slopes above or to the side."

POWDER and our friends at Powdercasers will continue to cover this impressive winter storm. Snow totals could exceed 3-4 feet by Wednesday, April 2, 2025 if models are proven to be correct. Stay safe!

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

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