Palisades Tahoe And Alpine Meadows Closed Today Due To Snow

Pro big-mountain skier Cody Townsend rode up iconic Palisades chairlift KT-22 yesterday in the early afternoon to preview the biggest storm of the season. 

His "surf report" noted that this morning started on the warmer side, but later in the day, things switched to snow. Things are just getting colder (read: lighter snow) over the next two days, and the wind will also increase (read: lift closures). 

This 4-day storm will get progressively colder, building up the perfect layering system for powder hounds. Get your fattest skis out for Sunday, because the heaviest snow is coming down Friday night and Saturday, but hopefully by Sunday afternoon, the resort will have time to dig things out and prep the mountain for safe skiing. 

The resort initially planned to open lifts on the Palisades side on Friday, with Alpine Meadows being planned for complete closure. Resort Chair, First Venture, Far East, and Red Dog were on tap to spin, but officials at Palisades did warn a complete mountain closure was possible, and due to the high winds and intense snowfall, this closure was what ended up happening when the resort assessed conditions. 

Part of the reasoning behind these decisions (delaying is more of a standard practice and not so much a decision, but closing Alpine entirely is) can be attributed to the fact that the resort will be pulling every piece of rope, signage, and boundary marking off the hill due to the large storm. 

When the Ski Patrol teams get back out on the mountain, they are starting from scratch. Officials at Palisades Tahoe remind guests that they appreciate everyone's patience, and to please keep in mind that the resort teams are working around the clock: "We have snowcat operators staffed from now until Sunday to dig out and maintain access roads as conditions allow." 

The resort will release more information around 4pm on Friday regarding Saturday's operations at the resort.