Loma Prieta Ski Touring Section

Donner Summit Snow update #8 (2/21) It's cold but snowing flurries at the Summit; temp range today was 11F to 20F. There's wind. Although most of northern California is clear and sunny, clouds hang over the mountains. There should be more sun tomorrow, but clouds return on the weekend. Temperatures will remain below freezing through at least Sunday. Roads are clear and parking is reasonable, but blowing snow continues to keep roads like Donner Pass Road white and potent...ially slippery. Drive with care. Snow is deep (8-10 feet) and powdery. Skiing should be excellent this weekend. Resorts are open, but not all trails are groomed for example, Royal Gorge's Van Norden Meadow parking was not open today, but I'd expect it to be ready for the weekend. Avalanche danger is "2.Moderate" at all levels. Be prepared to break trail if you're going where others have not.

Reminder. STS Jan meeting is tonight (Thursday) @ 7 PM at the Sports Basement in Sunnyvale. COme here about upcoming trips and new gear.

2018 Dec 14-15 STS Tahoe Snow report by Dick Simpson First snow along I-80 as I drove to Donner Summit today was just above Baxter (4000 ft). It's probably skiable at 6000 ft. I've not skied yet (at 7000 ft), but cover appears to be about 2 feet deep on north facing forested slopes. There is less where the sun gets to it, but it may be OK if you watch for exposed rocks. From my deck, it appears that about six inches of snow have fallen (and consolidated) since I was at Do...nner Summit two weeks ago. At Serene Lakes, the snow is crusted but not icy a benefit of short days and low sun angles. The high temperature today was 43F and the low this morning was 23F, so there's not a lot of freezing and thawing where the sun doesn't shine. Today was perfectly clear. Tomorrow clouds move in and snow showers are predicted in the afternoon. There may be more snow showers Monday, then just cloudy until Christmas when more snow showers are forecast. So the snow depth and surface condition will probably not change much over the next two weeks. Royal Gorge has about half of its 145 km groomed; both Summit Station and Van Norden Meadow are open. Neither was very busy today. Tahoe Donner has 35 km of trails groomed. I've not checked, but I suspect other nearby resorts are also open and functional.