If you haven’t noticed, Lake Tahoe has been getting PUMMELED with snow. Check that, a TON of white goodness. The most recent parade of storms has made this one of the snowiest seasons in recent history. As of March 16th, they’ve already received 648 inches of snow – HUNDREDS of inches over their ANNUAL average amount. So, will Vail keep Kirkwood open past the scheduled April 30th closing date for the 2022/23 ski season?
Vail Says HELL YEA!
Over the past few years just like a frog in a frying pan, they’ve quietly shortened the season from the end of April to mid-month and to as early as the 1st week of April. For those that skied Kirkwood before it was owned by Vail, it wasn’t abnormal for you to ski on Memorial Day and sometimes even July 4th. It seems like it’s back to the good ole days. For starters, they already announced at the beginning of the season they were targeting to close April 30th. That was excitement enough. And as of March 21st, they’ve now decided to extend the ski season to include TWO weekends in May. They’ll re-open Friday through Sunday for both May 5 – 7 and May 12 – 14.
Why Should Kirkwood Be Open In The Spring
When it comes to spring skiing, a few factors come into play to create the perfect venue for corn snow. First, you need snowpack. Second, it needs a lot of terrain that sits above tree line because there will be minimal pine sap or needles in the snow causing your skis to stick. Third and the most critical is that the weather drops below freezing at night. In Vail’s trilogy of Tahoe resorts, Kirkwood is the only one that passes all three variables.
Not Just Kirkwood
First of all, we can’t say thank you enough to Vail for keeping the lifts turning into May this season at Kirkwood. In fact, they’re pushing their closing dates for ALL their Tahoe resorts. Heavenly will add three full weeks to its schedule, with a new closing date of Sunday, May 7. And Northstar California on the north shore will add two additional weekends of Friday through Sunday for April 21 – 23 and April 28 – 30. Be sure to wax your skis for spring weather because it’s going to be fun!
The year before Vail bought them.
http://www.powdork.com/2011/kirkwoods-closing-weekend/
Vail wrecked our little eastern molehill when they bought it. Only good thing they did is pay the staff and Instructors more. They open late, dont even try for Thanksgiving. Close early in March no matter what the winter is doing. And then they close for a couple nights mid-week. I think this place invented night skiing. They got rid of all the school club and night ski discounts and the food is as bad as its ever been. School clubs used to pack this place during the weeknights.
I guess they want people to come here to learn how to Ski, get pissed off and go somewhere else for the rest of their ski career.
Sounds exactly what they did to our little hill in Ohio, Mad River Mountain……..Vail sucks!