Big Tahoe ski resorts close, just as snow finally returns

As rain fell across the Bay Area, and snow started blanketing the Sierra with fresh powder Saturday, several major Lake Tahoe ski resorts announced they will shut down operations amid coronavirus concerns. Among them are Vail Resorts’ Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood and Alterra Mountain Co.’s Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows and Mammoth Mountain.

Before the Saturday afternoon announcement, Mammoth Mountain officials said they — along with Sierra-atTahoe resort officials — had implemented various protocols for skiers and snowboarders in response to the growing number of coronavirus cases the state.

Sarah Sherman, a spokeswoman for Sierraat-Tahoe, said resort officials are “trying to be as responsible as we can” to address concerns of the new coronavirus, such as removing seating in the lodge to allow for social distancing, encouraging guests to ride alone on the chairlift, allowing them to choose how many people ride with them, and providing hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, tissues and gloves throughout the resort.

“We are assessing at a minute-by-minute basis,” Sherman said. “That being said, we’re hoping for a good weekend.”

Sierra-at-Tahoe closed for the remainder of the day at 3 p.m. Saturday because of low visibility and high winds, but told guests, “See you tomorrow for POW!”

While the weather system marks the first significant storm system since late January, “it’s not going to help us make up the deficit that we saw from the drought conditions” in recent months, said meteorologist Drew Peterson of the National Weather Service.

For San Francisco and the Peninsula, the weather system is expected to bring 1 to 2 inches of rain.

San Francisco could see showers through early Wednesday, with possible thunderstorms or small hail Sunday afternoon in the Peninsula and North Bay.

Sacramento’s National Weather Service office issued a winter storm warning through 5 p.m. Monday for the Sierra and Cascades, where 2 to 6 feet of snow is expected in regions above 4,000 feet.

“Travel is highly discouraged,” weather officials said.