Lake Tahoe ski areas set opening dates as heavy snowfall expected

Vail Resorts confirmed that its Lake Tahoe properties will begin the 2026/27 ski season in November, with Heavenly and Northstar opening on November 20 and Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe joining them the same day. Palisades Tahoe will start on November 25, Boreal Mountain Resort on November 27, and Kirkwood on December 4. Bill Rock, president of Vail Resorts' Mountain Division, said the company is focused on delivering a premium guest experience and is optimistic about a wet winter driven by a projected Super El Niño. He added that extensive snowmaking will back up natural snowfall.

The outlook marks a shift from the previous season, when many California resorts shut down by mid-March due to a historic snow drought. Vail’s CEO Rob Katz noted that despite the challenging conditions last year, the firm’s strategic priorities remain unchanged, emphasizing continued investment in lifts, terrain, and technology across its network.