If you know a skier that lives in the Lake Tahoe region, you’ve most likely heard about January’s annoyingly-long high pressure system.
The dry spell has lasted for nearly the entire month, but ski resorts on Tahoe’s West Shore did pick up a measly inch or two from a small storm that hit last weekend. January wasn’t entirely dry, but it might as well have been.
Other than the brief wintry respite a few days ago, it’s been Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day at Palisades Tahoe. Temperatures have remained relatively cold, which has helped to preserve the snowpack, but sunshine, groomed runs, and avoiding the slide-for-life, iced-over, off-piste terrain has been the name of the game for some time now.
Thankfully, after weeks of pretending to love groomers, Palisades Tahoe skiers have something to look forward to. A massive atmospheric river is expected to slam the Lake Tahoe region with feet of snow from Friday, January 31 through Wednesday, February, 5, 2025.
Photo: OpenSnow
Our snow forecasting and reporting experts at Powderchasers aren’t 100% sure where the snow line will be throughout the duration of the storm, and while rain could cause problems at lower elevations, some models are forecasting that 4-9 feet of snow will fall up top before all is said and done.
Regardless of how the storm shakes out at lower elevations, Lake Tahoe ski resorts are hoping the snowfall stacks up in feet, not inches. Snow coverage across Palisades Tahoe is fairly respectable considering it hasn’t snowed all month, but the signs are starting to show. Snow at the bases of some south-facing trees has melted out completely, rocks are beginning to reemerge from their brief slumber, and many advanced off-piste trails remain closed. We need snow.
The snow is coming, thankfully, and all of January’s snowless woes should be soothed, but in the meantime, Palisades Tahoe shared a stunning drone shot of their quite impressive snowpack, all things considered, with POWDER.
This video should be especially fun to watch after the storm rolls through. The before and after images should be quick striking.
Tap or click to watch the brief video from Palisades Tahoe below.
Watch: Palisades Tahoe Drone Footage, January 28, 2025
Palisades Tahoe highlights its terrain parks and groomers in this video, both of which, I might add, have been outstanding during this period of extended high pressure.
I’ve spent plenty of time attempting to improve my fledgling park skiing skills on the small features in Belmont, and have enjoyed the firm but grippy corduroy the grooming team is laying down each morning.
Palisades Tahoe is one of the best mountains to ski in the world when it snows, but January 2025 proved to me, at least, that it can hang with the best even when it doesn’t.
All of us here in Tahoe are more than ready for this weekend’s storm to kick winter back into high gear, but I won’t remember January as being a bad month for skiing. The hard work by Palisades’ grooming, ski patrol, and park crews are to thank for that.
I might not end up doing a ton of skiing this weekend depending on rain, wind and avalanche closures, but the mountain should be more than refreshed once the clouds clear. I can live with that. Here’s hoping I can write a fun story this time next week comparing and contrasting the snowpack from before and after the storm.
Stay tuned in with us here at POWDER throughout the week for all of the storm coverage you’re looking for. We’ve got you covered.
Stay safe out there, friends.
Related: These 9 Major Ski Resorts Ban Uphill Access: Here’s Why
Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the world’s best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed.
