Photos show snow piling up at Tahoe ski resorts

An instructor snowboards at Diamond Peak on Thursday, Jan. 27.
Diamond Peak Ski Resort

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The Tahoe Basin is being blanketed in fresh powder as a storm that’s bringing rain to the Bay Area is dumping snow across the Sierra at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour in some places.

Several ski resorts around Lake Tahoe have reported receiving between one and two feet of snow at base areas since the storm hit Tuesday night. Higher in the mountains, some resorts registered between two and three feet of snow — and counting.

The storm, which prompted the National Weather Service to issue a winter storm warning through Friday morning, could break by Friday afternoon — having filled in the slopes just in time for weekend skiers to take advantage. Another storm is slated to hit the Tahoe region Monday.

The NWS warning urged people not to travel to the region. Also, a statewide travel advisory discouraging people from driving more than 120 miles from home due to the coronavirus pandemic is still in effect.

“Travel will be extremely difficult to impossible at times,” according to the NWS warning. “If you risk travel, especially over the Sierra, be prepared possible road closures, travel delays, chain controls, and near zero visibilities at times. Bring enough food, water, and warm clothes to last lengthy closures.”

On Thursday morning, California State Route 89 was closed at Emerald Bay due to avalanche concerns.

On social media, ski areas around the region, which haven’t received much snow since November, celebrated the snowfall while also cautioning people traveling to the region to be careful on roadways and respectful of COVID-19 protocols.

Here is a round-up of photos taken Wednesday and Thursday at some of Tahoe’s premier ski areas.