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Saturday March 17 2012

The latest storm has moved through a little more quickly than originally forecast, dumping about three to four feet of new snow above 7500 feet since Friday morning. That brings the total for the week to about 6 feet in some places. Scattered snow showers will continue today with some minor additional accumulations, mostly toward the south side of Tahoe and further south toward Mono County and Mammoth. Temperatures are in the teens this morning at 7000 feet and barely breaking 20 at the Lake. They’ll warm up slowly today toward the 30s, then stay there tomorrow or perhaps top out even a little cooler.

The weather will continue to be unsettled through the weekend, with a chance of isolated snow showers but little additional accumulation.

A weak area of high pressure is forecast to build early next week, shunting additional storms to our north and bringing warmer temperatures. We may see some clouds brush the Tahoe Basin as storms pass by to the north. But once the weather clears this weekend we shouldn’t have any real storms until next weekend at the earliest.

Stay tuned for updates.

TahoeLoco.com

Biggest, coldest storm of the week due on Friday

March 15 2012

Rain continues to pound the western slope of the Sierra Nevada this morning, with light snow falling above about 7300 feet.

The forecast calls for another pulse of rain and high elevation snow today and yet another on Friday before the cold storm we’ve been waiting for finally arrives. Blue Canyon at 5000 feet along Interstate 80 could get another inch of rain today on top of three inches they got Wednesday. But that’s only the beginning. The western slope should see another three to five inches of rain Friday and Saturday before the snow levels drop down to the foothills.

Tahoe residents can expect a brief break in the rain/snow today before the next pulse moves in tonight and Friday.

The heaviest snow from that system should be Friday night into Saturday, when the forecast suggests that 10 to 20 inches of new snow is possible above 7000 feet. Snow levels should drop down below 5500 feet by early Saturday as temperatures plummet. By Sunday we could see a total of about three to four feet of snow on top of what we have this morning. With wind gusts in excess of 50 mph possible Friday night, this storm looks like it has the potential to shut down the major highways and bury some of the smaller roads around the Basin. It’s going to be very tough to get around on Saturday morning before the crews can catch up with the snowfall.

Snow showers are likely to continue through the weekend, with some additional modest accumulations on Monday.

TahoeLoco.com

March 13 2012

The first in a series of three major winter storms is moving into the Sierra this morning. By the time the third storm exits this weekend, we could have six feet of new snow, or more, above 7500 feet.

Snow levels are rising already, a little ahead of schedule, as warm air is pushed ahead of this system. The snow/rain line was at about 6000 feet this morning and will keep climbing slowly through the day. By tonight we could see rain as high as 7500 feet around Tahoe.

Above that level we are likely to get about two feet of snow through Wednesday afternoon.

The second storms is due Thursday, and it will likely roll right into the third system on Friday.

Snow levels should peak around 7500 feet on Thursday and then start to fall again over the weekend as the main cold front moves through.

Once the cold air arrives, snow levels will drop down to the foothills, but how much snow we get at the lower elevations will depend on the timing of the cold air and the last of the Pacific moisture.

Either way, we’re looking at another two to four feet of snow above 7000 feet from the weekend system alone.

This is the big one, folks.

We’ve been waiting all season for this and it’s finally here.

Stay tuned for updates.

TahoeLoco.com

Friday March 9

No March Miracle is on the horizon. But a little bit of March Madness might be in our future.

An area of high pressure that’s bringing unseasonably warm temperatures to the region today and Saturday is about to break down and move east, opening the door to a series of storms riding a trough from the Pacific into California and Nevada.

The first of these storms, late Saturday into Sunday, will largely miss Tahoe but could bring cooler temperatures and high winds to the region on Sunday. Parts of Tahoe might see some scattered snow showers.

The next system is due Monday night into Tuesday and it will be stronger and wetter. While this one, too, will be largely focused north of Tahoe, there remains the potential for up to an inch of precipitation, measured in water content, with snow levels around 6000 feet. This would mean 8 to 12 inches of snow for Tahoe’s highest peaks.

As the week moves on, a plume of warm Pacific moisture is expected to ride the jet stream into the Sierra. Temperatures and snow levels will rise, and so will the amount of precipitation. We could see several inches of rain below 8000 feet with several feet of snow possible at the highest elevations above the basin.

This is not quite a Pineapple Express — the name for a potentially disastrous spring rain event that can mean catastrophic flooding in California’s Central Valley. But it definitely has the potential to be a big wet late-winter storm, with localized flooding possible in the mountains, foothills and the valley.

Let’s hope the cooler northern air expresses itself more aggressively than the current forecast suggests, and turns all that rain into snow.

Stay tuned for updates as the forecast takes shape.

TahoeLoco.com

The Keystone Science School has announced that it will host a three-day program for high school students called “H20 Outdoors” from April 21st-23rd.  Located in Keystone, CO, the Science School is a field science school that challenges students to develop critical thinking skills as they explore nature and science education. There are various camps and programs offered throughout the year, and many include an outdoor element.  The H20 Outdoors program will be open to high school students.

The program is designed to provide students with insight into the world of Colorado’s water resources.  Students will learn about water law in Colorado, while hiking the continental divide and conducting experiments.  Students will also have the chance to meet experts in the field.  Students who would like to attend the program should register soon as the deadline is March 16, 2012, and arrangements must be made directly through the Keystone Science School.  Details are available online or by calling 970.468.2098.

For families with students who attend the program, SummitCove will offer a special rate.  Our Vacation Planners can assist in reserving lodging close to the Keystone Science School location.

SummitCove.Com

Keystone Resort will host a free Avalanche Awareness Presentation on Thursday, March 8th at Warren Station in River Run Village.  The presentation will run from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.  This is an excellent informational event for SummitCove guests and backcountry adventurers to attend.

The presentation will cover the basic components of avalanche terrain, snowpack conditions,  mountain weather, and decision making.  Members of the Avalanche trained Keystone Ski Patrol team will present the information.  There will also be a free question and answer session that will include equipment demonstrations for beacons, probes and shoveling technique.  Attendees can expect plenty of discussion about backcountry travel and safety, particularly in light of the dangerous avalanche season that Colorado has experienced this year.

Drinks will be available at the event, and all tips from the bar sales will be donated to the CAIC (Colorado Avalanche Information Center) general education and forecasting fund in Andre Hartlief’s name.  Hartlief was a Keystone ski patroller who was killed in an avalanche near Wolf Creek Pass last month.

SummitCove.Com

Keystone Resort has a wide variety of properties to choose from. SummitCove manages nearly 300 properties located exclusively in the Keystone area, which means that our guests have always had options based on their preference of budget, size, location and amenities.  Now we’ve made it even easier to select properties with a brand new feature that allows guests to browse for lodging by picture. Follow this link to access the brand new browse by picture feature!

The browse by picture option is available right from the SummitCove homepage, and it is a great option for guests who want to select their property based on decor, visual appeal or pictured amenities.  One of the best things about booking your Keystone vacation with SummitCove is that you will always know exactly which property you will be vacationing in.  Now, guests will also be able to reserve the property that captures their attention from a collection of photos.  SummitCove is the first vacation rental company to offer this feature, and we are sure it will help our guests make the perfect choice of Keystone lodging!

Contact a SummitCove Vacation Planner today to reserve your  Keystone Resort lodging!

SummitCove.Com

It’s time for spring skiing in Keystone Colorado, and Keystone Resort has some great activities lined up for the month, just in time for your spring break vacation.  The popular and family-friendly Kidtopia festival is back for two separate weeks in March.  Kidtopia is designed just for kids, and includes the Snow Fort, dancing to live music, arts and crafts, Disco Tubing and educational activities.  The special family dinners for Kidtopia will take place on March 10th and March 17th. Reservations are recommended.

• Saturday, March 10-Wednesday, March 14th

• Sunday March 18-Wednesday, March 21^st

If you are still looking for Keystone Resort lodging for spring break, be sure to contact a SummitCove Vacation Planner to learn about your options.

SummitCove.Com

Keystone Resort is kicking off March with some exciting events and activities.  The resort has added 8″ of new snow the past week, with more on its way over the weekend.  The conditions are better than ever for skiers and riders, and it’s the perfect time to take an early spring trip to Keystone with friends or family.

Friday, March 2nd-Sunday, March 4^th Winter Culinary Festival

• Experience keystone’s award-winning cuisine at this resort-wide culinary festival.  Savor the flavors at the Grand Tasting Event, sip red wines from around the world and indulge your palate with a chocolate class led by an award-winning pastry chef.

Saturday, March 3-Sunday, March 4^th Betty Fest

• This all-women’s program includes on hill training on the Keystone Ski & Ride School trails, video analysis, discussions about nutrition, and addresses women’s specific concerns and equipment.

Saturday, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31  March Concert Series

Every Saturday in March, you can enjoy great music at Warren Station.  Take a look at the full concert schedule:

• Saturday, March 3: Stanley Jordan, Grammy winning guitarist.  Tickets are in advance and at the door
• Saturday, March 10: Robotic Pirate Monkey, a blend of dubstep, banger, funk and sampling.  Tickets are in advance and at the door.
• Saturday, March 17th: Ryan Montbleau Band, a blend of neo-folk, classic soul and jam.  Cost is in advance and at the door.
• Saturday, March 24th: Naive Melodies, a Talking Heads Tribute Band.  Cost is in advance and at the door.
• Saturday, March 31st: 40 Oz to Freedom, a Sublime Tribute Band.  Cost is in advance and at the door.

Contact a SummitCove Vacation Planner today to reserve your Keystone lodging!

SummitCove.Com

Keystone Lodging Deal of the Day!

Hidden River Lodge 5998: 30% off this weekend on stays of 2 or more nights!

This Keystone Resort 2 bedroom property is available at  Mountain House Village this weekend.  Save 30% on a stay of 2 or more nights for this weekend.  The conditions are great for skiing and riding and the excitement is building over spring skiing!  Contact a SummitCove Vacation Planner today to learn about all of your Keystone Colorado lodging options for spring!

SummitCove.Com