Title: California’s Mountain Towns and Ski Resorts Dig Out from Historic Blizzard: Extensive Snowfall and High Winds Result in Road Closures, Stranded Drivers, and Suspension of Ski Operations
California’s mountain communities and ski resorts are in the process of being excavated after a historic blizzard dumped copious amounts of snow and caused major roads to be buried. This relentless winter storm battered California’s mountain ranges for several days, culminating on Monday.
The most adversely affected areas were the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which experienced over 7 feet of snow and hurricane-force wind gusts exceeding 170 mph.
As another storm approaches Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, bringing additional snowfall through Wednesday, even smaller amounts of precipitation could exacerbate travel disruptions across the region.
A significant section of Interstate 80, stretching over 70 miles near the Nevada state line, has been closed for more than two days due to stranded vehicles reported on Friday night. As of Monday morning, this critical artery remained impassable. Portions of routes 49, 70, 88, and 108 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains were also still closed, as well as sections of I-580 and Route 395 in Nevada due to blowing snow and poor visibility.
In the South Lake Tahoe area, which received 3 to 5 feet of snow, a snowslide obstructed vehicles and briefly shut down Highway 50 in California on Sunday morning. There were no reported injuries and the road was promptly reopened.
Despite the heavy snowfall and intense winds, some areas struggled with long-term problems. Numerous ski fields and chairlifts were closed on Sunday due to the extreme conditions, including at Palisades Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Mammoth. Many will remain shuttered on Monday as crews work to clear away the snow.
Palisades Tahoe, which recorded 8 feet of snow and experienced a wind gust of 171 mph on Saturday, plans to open on Monday. The resort’s Alpine Peak reported wind gusts of over 140 mph on Sunday, necessitating closure.
Other high-elevation areas were covered in even more snow. The Sugar Bowl Ski Resort near Donner Peak recorded 87 inches (7.25 feet) of snow between Friday and Sunday.
The Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort shared images with the media of snow piling up against the door of its maintenance shop and a car in the guest parking lot buried under snow that fell overnight. At least 5 feet of snow covered the resort, but strong winds created towering piles called snow drifts.
Despite the daunting forecast, some travelers couldn’t be dissuaded from braving the roads during the worst conditions. The snowy and windy conditions left vehicles stuck on the main road to Mammoth Mountain ski resort, US 395, on Friday, forcing some motorists to seek rescue. The road was subsequently closed.
The intensity and power of the winter storm conditions in Northern California even damaged some equipment used by crews to clear snow from the roadways.
“We have been down to two of 10 blowers at our central hub in Kingvale, and six out of 20 from Auburn to the Nevada state line,” California Department of Transportation officials stated on Website social media integration.
