| The classic Tahoe dump is happening right now. It's | | | | 28. Sugar Bowl Resort has a $99 midweek special |
| the kind of snowfall that will be recalled for years to | | | | rate at its historic snowbound lodge, accessible only |
| come in a litany of tall tales that start with "Do you | | | | by riding a mile-long gondola, as well as 25 percent |
| remember the snow of January 2010?" | | | | off all two-night weekend stays. The locals' favorite, |
| A series of winter storms that began during the | | | | Homewood Resort, is selling $39 lift tickets Monday |
| Martin Luther King holiday on January 17 delivered a | | | | through Thursday. |
| couple of feet of snow to Lake Tahoe's highest | | | | Squaw Valley USA offers an outstanding deal for |
| peaks and nearly a foot at lake level. But that's just | | | | families: kids 12 and under ski for only $10 every day. |
| the beginning. As the week progresses, the storms | | | | Adults who ski at Squaw more than a couple times |
| are expected to become more ferocious, with colder | | | | per season--but not often enough to warrant buying |
| temperatures and more precipitation. By Saturday, | | | | a season pass--will want to join the resort's Frequent |
| the Sierra crest will most likely have 10 feet of fresh | | | | Skier Club. Register online for $5 and after you have |
| snow. Forecasters are expecting this to be the most | | | | purchased four all-day lift tickets, you get a fifth day |
| snow-producing series of storms the Sierra has seen | | | | of skiing free. |
| in the last five years. It looks like El Niño is here | | | | Northstar-at-Tahoe is encouraging skiers to stay |
| to stay for the rest of January. | | | | longer and ski more with its quad pack lift tickets, |
| As of Tuesday, January 19, Alpine Meadows, Boreal, | | | | enabling visitors to ski or ride any four days this |
| Northstar-at-Tahoe, Kirkwood, and Squaw Valley are | | | | season for less than $63 per day. Northstar also has |
| reporting more than 20 inches of new snow. Sugar | | | | stay-and-ski packages for $108 per person, based on |
| Bowl and Sierra-at-Tahoe are reporting 18 inches, and | | | | double occupancy in its studio condos. Intermediate |
| Heavenly has nearly a foot of the fresh stuff. So far | | | | to expert adult skiers and riders can also take |
| this year the Tahoe resorts with the deepest | | | | advantage of free two-hour lessons every weekday |
| snowpacks-all greater than 80 inches--are Alpine | | | | at 1:30 p.m. |
| Meadows, Kirkwood, Squaw Valley, and Sugar Bowl. | | | | Local businesses are also getting into the action. The |
| The southern Sierra is enjoying the benefits of the | | | | hip Cedar House Sport Hotel in Truckee is offering an |
| same weather pattern. Mammoth Mountain reports | | | | extended weekend deal--guests pay for two nights |
| 33 inches of new snow since the week began, and | | | | and get the third night free. The Stanford Alpine |
| boasts a base of up to 90 inches. Nearby June | | | | Chalet has a midweek ski special Sunday to Thursday |
| Mountain has received a foot of fresh snow. The | | | | nights, with 20 percent off lodging and lift tickets to |
| eastern Sierra above 7,000 feet is expected to have | | | | Alpine Meadows. |
| 5 to 7 feet of new snow by late Saturday. | | | | If you are driving to the Sierra, don't forget to carry |
| The strongest weather is expected to arrive late | | | | chains in your car, even if you have a |
| today, with heavy precipitation and high winds | | | | four-wheel-drive vehicle. Chains can be made |
| carrying over into Thursday. After a break on Friday | | | | mandatory at any time at spots like Carson Pass |
| and Saturday, more snow is expected on Sunday. | | | | summit, and the highway patrol will turn you away if |
| Resorts are taking advantage of this gift from the | | | | you don't have them. For up-to-date chain control |
| skies by offering deals to intrepid skiers who are | | | | and road information in California. And always make |
| willing to make their way through the whiteout to | | | | sure to call our travel experts at 1.800.SKIRESORTS |
| the mountains. Kirkwood Resort is offering a "book | | | | for any resort info or travel-related questions. |
| two nights, get one night free" deal through January | | | | |