Palisades Tahoe Lays Out Spring '24 Operations Plan

Palisades Tahoe answered many questions on the operations blog, but there were a couple things we wanted clarity on. 

We caught up with the operations team at Palisades Tahoe to see what their plans are for the remainder of the winter season. See below.

Palisades Tahoe Spring Operations Q&A

Why are Resort Chair and Red Dog closing first at Palisades Tahoe?

"Due to snow conditions and the altitude, our lower-elevation chairlifts tend to experience quicker snowmelt. This makes them harder to maintain. Late in the season, Grooming crews can run out of places to farm snow from. When this happens, we turn our focus to the upper mountain. On the upper mountain, particularly on Gold Coast, we have a deeper snowpack that’s padded by snowmaking snow from the early season, which tends to last longer than natural snow."

How long do you think KT will stay open (since the closing date is "til it can't anymore")?

"We want to ski KT-22 as long as possible, so we don’t currently have a projected closing date. We plan to ski it until it is not skiable. The bottom of the Saddle and CII Ridge are some areas where we are dealing with very thin snowpack. As with all chairlifts in the spring, go ski it while you can!"

Are the hours at Palisades Tahoe shorter starting on the 29th because of the warmer weather conditions and snowpack?

"Yes. This is standard for us in the springtime. In the late afternoon, snow can be so sticky and slushy that it is hard to ski or snowboard through, and it is better to keep skiers/riders off of runs and trails to preserve the existing snowpack."

Why does Alpine close before Palisades Tahoe?

"We kept Alpine open 6 weeks longer than usual last year, not closing until July 4, because we closed the (Gold Coast) Funitel on May 30^th so we could install a new rope. If that project was not on the books we would have run Palisades through the 4^th. The upper mountain at Palisades keeps snow the longest making it easier to maintain the snowpack for late-season spring skiing. This year, because of Alpine's long season in 2023, we have a project backlog and have to get started immediately on maintenance and forestry work."

How are Ski Patrol teams monitoring conditions this late in the season?

"Conditions in springtime can be widely variable. We typically find ourselves in a melt-refreeze cycle. Warm temps create a lot of water in the snowpack during the day, and then the snow freezes or firms up at night. 

This means that some slopes may be icy in the morning or too sticky in the afternoon. You will see Ski Patrol closing areas or trails depending on conditions, making sure that they are only opening terrain in optimal conditions."

Is there anything you think guests should know about Spring skiing at Palisades Tahoe this month and next?

"Follow the sun! While we don't have exact dates for how long this terrain will last, in the spring we typically recommend your first stop to be south-facing slopes. Tower 16 is also primed for early sun exposure. Around midday, Siberia Ridge will have softened up. Later in the day, make your way to the north-facing slopes of Shirley Lake or Hogsback. After some time on the groomed runs, if you would like to go off-piste, stick to an area that’s been in the sun for a bit."