Open terrain means more visitors

LAKE TAHOE BASIN — With only modest amounts of man-made snow covering mountains through the first part of December, resorts were prepared for the worst but hoping for the best this holiday season.

But after repeated snow storms through the latter half of the month filled in the bare spots, many resorts were able to open the terrain needed to accommodate the holiday masses; some were even 100 percent open by the end of December.

With the addition of new terrain on Lookout Mountain, Northstar-at-Tahoe’s Jessica VanPernis said it seemed skiers and riders were able to spread out fairly well around the resort, which had all but two trails open following the Christmas snow storm.

Sugar Bowl mountain was 100 percent open, which bodes well for seeing guests again throughout the season, said spokesperson John Monson.

And though Alpine Meadows had made enough snow by the middle of December to ensure a few rideable runs, spokesperson Rachael Woods said they were optimistic about the snow, not worried.

“It’s like planning a party where we’re the host and want to provide the best conditions possible,” said Woods. “And the fact that we had 100 percent open at Homewood and Alpine for the holiday season was the best situation we could have hoped for.”