Sierra-at-Tahoe is bustling with visitors enjoying the first runs of the snowy season after opening last week.
Friday's opening was the earliest the sports resort has been open in more than a decade.
Snowboarders and ski bunnies have been flocking to the mountains in search of the fresh powder, while resort officials are hopeful the early snow could be a sign of a great season ahead.
The Lake Tahoe-based resort picked up a total of 10 inches during Tuesday's storm, pleasantly surprising guests and staff alike.
“I’m like ‘oh my God,” said John Liu, a skier at the resort. “We don’t imagine 10 inches of snow. It’s great for Thanksgiving.”
Others were quick to compare it to last year's comparatively-dismal season. Light snowfall is already expected to last throughout the week of Thanksgiving.
“It’s already a lot better,” said Kristen Mikkelson, a snowboarder. “Hopefully, it’ll keep snowing.”
Local
Sierra managers are hoping an expected “El Nino” storm will bring fresh snow along with it, allowing them to replace the man-made powder with the real thing.
“As soon as conditions allow, we’ll open more lifts, get more trails and get a ton of people out here having fun in the snow,” said Thea Harty, the resort manager.
