Sierra Ski Resorts Hope Early Snow A Sign Of Busy Winter

LAKE TAHOE (KCBS) -- The early snowstorm over the weekend showed no signs of letting up Monday, a bonanza Sierra ski operators said foreshadows a busy winter season.

"We've had over six feet of snow in the last 24 to 30 hours and it's still snowing out here right now," said Michael Dalzell, contacted at Kirkwood Mountain Resort on Monday afternoon.

KCBS' Melissa Culross Reports:

The intermittent showers, thunder and lightning across the Bay Area turned into snow, snow and more snow in the mountains with snow levels dropping to 2,500 feet in some locations.

"If this is November, what's it going to be like in January and February when we're known for really good snow fall?" said Jennifer Boyd with the Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority.

Dalzell, Kirkwood's marketing director, said the resort will open two lifts on November 23 rather than start the season on December 3 as originally planned.

They're not the only once scrambling.

Alpine Ski Resort wasn't going to open until December 10. Instead it's opening on Friday, November 26. Other resorts that had already begun their seasons are opening even more terrain thanks to the storm.

Boyd said it is possible to enjoy the snow without being a skier. Other Lake Tahoe attractions like ice skating rinks and snow mobile rides are also slated to open this weekend.

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