First snow
Planned opening days, Sno-Park permits, and where the real snow reports live.
Checked Oct 1, 2026. Confirm before you go.
When the first storm lands, everyone wants to know two things: what is open, and can I get there. This guide covers the first. Our winter driving guide covers the second.
Resort openings
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Heavenly: planned Nov 20
Vail Resorts lists Nov 20 as Heavenly's planned opening date, subject to weather and conditions.
Heavenly snow reportskiheavenly.com
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Kirkwood: planned Dec 4
Vail Resorts lists Dec 4 as Kirkwood's planned opening date, subject to weather and conditions.
Kirkwood snow reportkirkwood.com
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Sierra-at-Tahoe: when there is enough snow
The resort says it opens as soon as it has enough snow, typically late November to early December. This is its 80th season, and it is adding weekend and holiday parking reservations.
Sierra-at-Tahoe snow reportsierraattahoe.com
Source: Sierra-at-Tahoe, 80th anniversary season (Sep 17, 2026)
Snow play and cross-country
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Sno-Parks
California's Sno-Park lots are for non-motorized winter use such as cross-country skiing, dog sledding and snow play. The permit season runs Nov 1 to May 30, and a permit ($15 a day or $40 a season) is required at every lot and valid at all of them. Lots listed for South Tahoe are Echo Lake and Taylor Creek; along Highway 88 are Carson Pass, Meiss Meadows, Hope Valley and Iron Mountain.
State Parks: Sno-Park permitsohv.parks.ca.gov
Source: California State Parks, SNO-Park permits; California State Parks, SNO-Park Program
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Backcountry
For travel outside resort boundaries, the Sierra Avalanche Center publishes avalanche, snow and weather information for the greater Lake Tahoe area.
Sierra Avalanche Centersierraavalanchecenter.org
Source: Sierra Avalanche Center
All sources for this guide
- Vail Resorts, 2026/27 opening dates (Aug 18, 2026)news.vailresorts.com
- Sierra-at-Tahoe, 80th anniversary season (Sep 17, 2026)sierraattahoe.com
- California State Parks, SNO-Park permitsohv.parks.ca.gov
- California State Parks, SNO-Park Programohv.parks.ca.gov
- Sierra Avalanche Centersierraavalanchecenter.org
Checked Oct 1, 2026. Confirm before you go.