Too warm, little snow: More ski resorts delay opening

Northstar at Tahoe and Heavenly Ski Resort are both pushing back opening dates. Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw/Alpine) opened early, then closed, and will re-open November 24. In Colorado, Steamboat will delay opening until November 27. The common thread? A lack of low-elevation snow and warmer than normal temperatures. Base elevations at all three resorts run 6200′-6900′ where air temps have routinely warmed into the 50s and 60s this Fall.

Also on the delayed list are Solitude in Utah and Telluride in Colorado.

Due to recent warm weather, opening day will be delayed. We're optimistically targeting 11/23. Fortunately, temps are dropping, and we’ll be making snow every chance we get. Watch this space — and think snow! Lodging guests affected by this change will be contacted directly. pic.twitter.com/PUd4suw7Tx

— Solitude Mountain Resort (@SolitudeMTN) November 16, 2021

The 11/16/2021 delayed list:

• Northstar
• Heavenly
• Palisades Tahoe
• Steamboat
• Solitude
• Telluride

A new study (November 2021) from the University of Toronto says the atmospheric freezing level (Troposphere) is on the rise. This makes lower elevation ski areas more susceptible to warmer temperatures, melting, fluctuating rain/snow lines, and ultimately later openings. Higher elevation ski areas would fare better.

The Tahoe announcements came on social media.

While we were hoping to ski and ride with you this weekend, Mother Nature had other plans with some warmer temps. We work hard every year to meet our targeted opening dates, but we’ll be pushing back just a bit this year. 1/2

— Northstar California (@Northstar_CA) November 15, 2021

While we work hard to meet our target opening dates every year, there is only so much we can do when Mother Nature is in control. 1/3

— SkiHeavenly (@skiheavenly) November 15, 2021