YOUR AD HERE »

‘Februburied’: Record snowfall stacks up in Sierra Nevada at Truckee Tahoe resorts

Local Local |

  

Show CaptionsHide Captions

PILING UP

Resort reported snow totals for the month of February (in inches)

Squaw Valley 313

Northstar California Resort 286

Sugar Bowl 275

Tahoe Donner 272

Tahoe City 133.5

  MORE SNOW RELATED STORIES: Squaw surpasses January 2017 record for snowiest month Storm update: Union Pacific train derails, stuck at Soda Springs Rotary snow plow headed up the hill to get train back on track in Soda Springs Mountain home safety in the Sierra's high country Throwback — Sierra history: Top 5 snowiest winters ever for the Truckee-Tahoe region Throwback — Tahoe Chief's Corner: Too much snow can destroy your home Throwback — Tahoe Truckee residents urged to clear propane tanks of snow

The snow began falling in early February and hardly let up until the last day of the month, setting records at local ski resorts and causing havoc across the Sierra Nevada.

From parents scrambling to adjust to several snow days at Tahoe-Truckee schools to local mountain crews spending their mornings digging out chair lifts, this past month has been one for the record books.

This February, dubbed “Februburied” by many on social media, even has local pros on the International Ski Federation World Cup circuit envious they’re not home taking advantage of the conditions.

“I can’t wait to get home in 15 days and enjoy all this snow,” Travis Ganong posted to his Instagram page on Wednesday. “It’s safe to say conditions are all time and I’m sure we will be skiing into July.”

“We’re up to 313 inches of snowfall for the month, which is just over 26 feet.” — Alex Spychalsky, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows PR coordinator

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows had its snowiest month ever at Squaw’s upper mountain, breaking the record of 282 inches set January 2017 by nearly 3 feet.

“We’re up to 313 inches of snowfall for the month, which is just over 26 feet,” said Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Public Relations Coordinator Alex Spychalsky

“Thinking back on the month, that light, powder snow that we had earlier in the month was just fantastic. I heard so many longtime Squaw and Alpine skiers saying that it was all time. People who have been around for a long time don’t give that up easily.

“We’re ending the month, obviously, on a little bit of a wetter note, but that just sets the snow pack up for such a long season. It’ll just make for that great spring skiing that we’re known for.”

MORE RECORDS SMASHED

Northstar California Resort’s snowfall record for February was smashed by nearly 100 inches of snow this past month. February also equaled the snowiest month on record at the resort, tying the January 2017 total of 286 inches.

With all the snow, Northstar announced it will continue spinning lifts through April 2019.

“We just broke 500 inches for the season,” said Northstar California Resort Communications Manager Stephanie Myers. “We’ve received so much snow this month alone, that we’re thrilled to be announcing that we’re extending the ski season.”

Sugar Bowl exceeded its February record of 263 inches of snow set in 1993 by more than a foot.

Tahoe Donner was hit with 272 inches of snow this month, setting a February record at the mountain.

Near Donner Pass, Castle Peak has been pounded with more than 35 feet of snow this month, according to the National Weather Service.

Tahoe City piled up more than 133 inches of snow this month, according to the weather service, soaring past the average of 38.8 inches for February. Tahoe City hasn’t seen this much snow in February since the record of 174 inches was set in 1938.

NOT ALL FUN & GAMES

While all the snow is a boon for local resorts, it’s made for a chaotic month for local law enforcement, snow removal crews, and employees at the California Department of Transportation. Interstate 80 has seen multiple, lengthy closures during the month, as crews have struggled to combat various storms bringing cold, dry snow and wet, heavy snow.

“What’s happening is the snow walls are so tall, they’re having to throw the snow across the freeway, and then that’s triggering a bunch of avalanches,” said California Highway Patrol Officer Pete Mann on the most recent storm shutting down Interstate 80. “And so, they have to come back through and cut them again. It’s a big mess … even though it doesn’t feel like it in town, it is absolutely buried up top.”

Though the month has ended, it appears the snow will continue to fall as another storm makes its way into the region this weekend.

“(Friday) morning through early afternoon, we’ll have a break between the next system and this system,” said Meteorologist Chris Johnston. “The next system is more directed at Mono County. Tahoe region will still see a decent amount of snow, especially in the upper elevations.”

Higher elevations around the Tahoe basin could see 1-2 feet of snow during the weekend. Up to a foot of snow is forecast for lake level.

“It’s over the eastern Pacific right now,” said Johnston. “It’s pulling up a plume of tropical moisture. It’s nothing extensive like we had this past storm, but it will pull up a little bit of moisture up into the central-southern Sierra. The colder part of that system will be in the Cascades and northern Sierra.”

Justin Scacco is a reporter for the Sierra Sun. Contact him at jscacco@sierrasun.com.

Local
See more

Support Local Journalism

 

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.