High Sierra Topix

Ski resorts dumped with almost 3 feet of snow
Dry weather forecasted for rest of week

By Jenifer Gee GB Journal Staff Writer
January 26, 2008
http://granitebaypt.com/detail/104280.html

While the Sierra ski resorts enjoyed a fresh coat of snow this weekend, forecasters say the area is still dry for this time of year.

“We’re definitely in the hole,” said Karl Swanberg, forecaster for the national weather service, of this year’s snow and rain fall in the Sierra Nevada.

The weekend storm was a help, Swanberg said, with snowfall ranging from 12 inches to 39 inches at area ski resorts. Snow reached down to about 5,000 feet, he added.

“Overall the snow levels were quite high,” Swanberg said.


Shawn Craddick of Truckee took advantage of a perfect
morning to take in a few runs Monday at Boreal. Weekend
storms dropped between 14-22 inches of fresh powder
making the snow conditions ideal for snowboarding and
skiing. Craddick, an ex-pro snowboarder, recently relocated
back to Truckee after living in Washington State for a few
years. “I really missed the area and the people,” Craddick
said.

Heather Baker, Boreal Mountain Resort marketing coordinator, said the resort was excited to accumulate 14 to 22 inches of new snow at their Truckee resort.

“We were waiting for the next storm and it finally came,” Baker said. “We have very good conditions now. Tahoe is back.”

The snow also made other winter activities possible such as cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, said Andy Chapman, tourism director of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, in a news release.

“Smiles are everywhere,” Chapman said. “As many visitors and local residents took part in the ultimate ski experience over the weekend, floating through untracked powder.”

Swanberg said besides some lingering snow showers Monday evening, forecasters don’t anticipate another storm this weekend.

“It looks rather dry,” Swanberg said. “Dry conditions are expected right now through next weekend.”

Rainfall levels for the valley and Sacramento are still low despite weekend rains, Swanberg said. He added that levels are roughly 60 percent below normal for the Auburn.

According to AccuWeather.com, the season to date rainfall for the Auburn area is 9.49 inches. The normal-to-date rainfall is 18.52 inches, based on AccuWeather.com figures.

“The rains over the weekend certainly helped, but we’re still running probably down,” Swanberg said.

The Journal's Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com or post a comment.

Snow Nymph wrote:Mammoth got snow, I watched t come down from the condo.

Heard from friends that skiied that it was fun, but a little heavy. They were worked by noon.