Highway 89 Emerald Bay Road and Interstate 80 are open without restrictions. All roads are accessible to Lake Tahoe.
Mar. 8, 2017 (LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev.) – With Lake Tahoe experiencing a winter of epic proportions – summit snow totals are approaching 680 inches since November (yearlong averages are typically 400-500 inches) – travel safety remains the most important aspect for a comfortable trip, along with recommendations for planning, common sense, and dependable information sources.
From last weekend’s storm the basin added 2-4 feet at the summit and 1-2 feet at lake level making Tahoe the snowiest destination in North America.
Despite the record-setting snowfall, herculean efforts by Caltrans and Nevada Department of Transportation continue to provide safe access to Lake Tahoe and officials expect roads to remain clear through the weekend.
Quotes
“This weekend is looking good with open roads and sunny weather,” said Ruth Loehr, public information officer for South Lake Tahoe California Highway Patrol. “We advise motorists to stay on the main roads, have a safe traveling distance between cars and avoid driving over potholes. As a reminder, it is mandatory to carry chains in the winter months as the weather can shift, and we’ve seen that happen this season.”
“Check CalTrans, NDOT and CHP websites and social pages for the most up-to-date road information. Do not use alternative route apps to bypass road closures and please be very careful when using mapping apps that take you off state highways and interstates, as side roads often receive more snow and can be even more impassable,” advised Sgt. Womack of the Truckee-Tahoe PD. “Also be advised that the Audi FIS World Cup is this weekend at Squaw Valley and traffic is likely to be heavy on SR-89 between Tahoe City and Truckee.”
“Although the weather for this weekend looks great, motorists should be prepared for anything when traveling through the Sierra in winter,” explained Cmdr. Ryan Stonebraker, CHP Truckee. “Conditions can change quickly, so be prepared: carry chains in your vehicle, have water and extra (non-perishable) food and proper clothing, including boots and gloves. With day time warming and cold nights, expect ice to make its way onto the roadway. Be sure to slow down and give yourself plenty of following distance when driving in the morning, evening and nighttime hours.”
Tahoe South Road Conditions
CA-50: Reduced to one lane in each direction for less than a mile from three miles East of Pollock Pines to one mile West of Riverton /at Bridal Veil Falls Rd/ (El Dorado Co) – due to a slipout – motorists are subject to delays.
CA-89: No traffic restrictions are reported for this area.
CA-88: No traffic restrictions are reported for this area.
SR 207: No traffic restrictions are reported for this area.
SR 431: No traffic restrictions are reported for this area.
North Lake Tahoe Road Conditions
I-80: Right lane closed for emergency work, speed reduced to 55 MPH on I-80 East between Verdi Exit 3 and East Verdi Exit 5. In effect Monday thru Friday 7 AM to 5 PM.
CA-89 (Emerald Bay Road): No traffic restrictions are reported for this area.
CA-267: No traffic restrictions are reported for this area.
CA-16 E: Closed at Rumsey Canyon / in Rumsey (Yolo County) due to a mudslide. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route.
CA-49: 1-way controlled traffic from 5 miles north to 5.2 miles north of Nevada City (Nevada County) due to a slide. 1-way controlled traffic from Yuba Pass Summit to Sattley (Sierra County) due to flood damage repairs
SR 431: No traffic restrictions are reported for this area.
Road Resources
When storm cycles are present, travelers are encouraged to gather as much information as possible before departing. Transportation and law enforcement authorities recommend waiting until a storm passes through before hitting the road. Motorists can check conditions with Caltrans www.dot.ca.gov and Nevada Department of Transportation http://nvroads.com. For real-time traffic information and to map your location, the QuickMap App from CalTrans is available for download. Keep in mind that GPS and maps applications on mobile devices may not be updated so monitor updates directly from the source.
Driving Tips
Plan to take it slower, allow more time for travel and check conditions frequently as they may change. A list of supplies to pack is also suggested, including tire chains for any vehicle without 4-or all-wheel drive, flashlight, water, snacks, blankets, and reflective clothing in case of delays on the highway. A complete list is available at http://www.dot.ca.gov/cttravel. Many road incidents can be avoided by reducing speed. While 4-wheel drive allows vehicles to more effectively negotiate snowy conditions, braking still takes longer. Take it slower and block more time to get to Lake Tahoe.
During snowfall, a fleet of and state local snow removal vehicles work around the Lake Tahoe Basin to keep roads clear and safe for travel.
Current Conditions / Forecast
Both North and South Tahoe do not expect any precipitation through the weekend. Forecast calls for partly sunny skies and high temps in the upper 40s.
Tahoe South Ski Resorts
Heavenly: 775-586-7000
Sierra-at-Tahoe: 530-659-7475
Kirkwood: 209-258-3000
Tahoe South Prism Cams
North Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts
Diamond Peak: 775-832-1177
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: 775-849-0704
Northstar California: 530-562-2267
Squaw Valley I Alpine Meadows: 800-403-0206
Homewood Mountain Resort: 530-584-6800
Granlibakken Tahoe: 530-583-4242
Sugar Bowl Ski Resort: 530-426-9000
Royal Gorge Cross Country Ski Resort: 530-426-3871
Boreal Mountain Resort: 530-426-3666
Tahoe Donner: 530-587-9400
Tahoe XC: 530-583-5475
Travel by Air and Shuttle
Flights into Reno-Tahoe International Airport are available from Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose for as low as $39 each way. For travelers who forego auto travel, a variety of private and public shuttles depart from RTIA and are accessible to both North and South Tahoe.
South Tahoe Airporter provides nine daily round-trip shuttle departures from RTIA baggage claim to six properties near the Heavenly Village in South Shore. Learn more: http://southtahoeairporter.com/.
North Lake Tahoe Express offers eleven round-trip shuttle rides per day, departing from RTIA baggage claim. Drop-off locations include various neighborhoods and mountain properties. Learn more: http://northlaketahoeexpress.com/.
Lodging Deals — Extend Your Stay
Staying mid-week or even extending a weekend stay by 1-2 days allows for substantially less vehicles on the roads and some solid deals. Highlights include third night free, 35 percent off mid-week, $150 resort dining credit, kids ski free, for details:
Interested in working remotely? In addition to the many coffee shops and hotel properties offering free Wi-Fi for guests, collaborative workspaces are available for freelancers, telecommuters and those who still need to stay connected while in the mountains.
- North Lake Tahoe: Tahoe Mill Collective, located at the base of Alpine Meadows Ski Area.
- Tahoe South: Mountain Lab has two locations, Harrison Avenue and Lakeview Lodge.
Visitor Information
Get the latest information on Tahoe events, activities, dining and entertainment at www.tahoesouth.com and www.gotahoenorth.com.
Current Photos
Available for download.
Contacts
Jenn Boyd or Phil Weidinger, Weidinger Public Relations, 775-588-2412 or jennifer@weidingerpr.com
Liz Bowling, The Abbi Agency, 303-726-7104 or liz@theabbiagency.com
About the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Designated the “America’s Favorite Ski Destination” by USA TODAY readers (Jan. 2014), Tahoe South combines the distinctive appeal of two worlds: spectacular natural beauty and a modern tourism destination with an array of outdoor recreation, entertainment, nightlife, and gaming. Tahoe’s timeless splendor and an emerging economic diversity continue to define its inimitable personality. For information about lodging, recreation and family packages at Tahoe South, call 1-800-288-2463 or log onto www.TahoeSouth.com
About North Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a crown jewel of the Sierra. Formed approximately two million years ago, it is the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest in the United States. North Lake Tahoe spans two states and boasts two-dozen beaches, twelve ski resorts, hundreds of miles of biking trails, half a dozen communities, and a growing number of nationally recognized human-powered events, races and festivals. North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. For the latest deals, check out the Deals tab on www.gotahoenorth.com.
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