Kirkwood, CA, March 12th, 2011… Kirkwood consistently receives the most snow in the Tahoe area, and often posts the highest season totals in North America—on average, 500 inches per season. In complement to the resort’s varied, often extreme terrain, its 7800 foot base elevation generally brings light, dry snow when other resorts at lake level are receiving warmer precipitation in the form of heavier snow, or rain/snow mix.
After receiving 804 inches of snow in the 2005/06 season, Kirkwood experienced a few below-average snow years. The 2010/11 season-to-date snowfall (514 to 536 inches) already exceeds the average season total, and with another six weeks until the end of the season, these figures stand to rise substantially. La Niña’s favorable impacts this season have helped the resort “rebound” from the off seasons in between and uphold its reputation with the deepest, lightest, driest snow in the Tahoe area.
For the first time since the 05/06 season, Kirkwood opened before Thanksgiving on 100% natural snow. The resort turned two lifts on Wednesday, November 24 and opened for top to bottom skiing on November 26 with almost 10 feet of fresh snow. The favorable weather continued as December storms dumped over half of an average season’s snowfall. January’s sunshine helped along spring-like conditions and visitors’ goggle tans, frustrating powder hounds and inciting more “pray for snow” festivities. February brought the return of winter and a barrage of storms and set the resort up for an above-average season. As hoots and hollers echoed from the powder stashes across the hill, competitors in two world class events went big in the Cirque and used the fresh snow to pad their landings.
The series of heavy February storms marked the triumphant return of La Niña dumping 12.5 feet of snow on Kirkwood’s slopes in the week leading up to February 20, 2011 and earning Kirkwood its award for ‘Most Snow in the World’. The accolade was given by Skiinfo.com—a Scotland-based site that tracks snowfall and conditions at roughly 2,000 resorts worldwide. Kirkwood Mountain Resort earned the number 1 rank and for most snowfall in that 7 day period and topped the list for several days.
The resort received a certificate for Mother Nature’s achievement, once again highlighting the advantages of its geographical location on the western Sierra crest. According to Patrick Thorne, owner/operator of Skiinfo, this total marks the highest 7-day measure of any resort this season to date. As of February 19, Kirkwood had received 9.7 feet of snow, still placing it at the top of the list; as the tail end of the storm ripped through the Sierras, that snowfall total jumped to the final 12.5 feet reported on February 20.
With unsettled weather in the short term forecast, and almost five feet of fresh snow so far to add to the already impressive base, March weather patterns look ensure full coverage for skiing and riding well into spring. Long term weather models are inconclusive for the Tahoe area, though meteorologists predict La Niña conditions to endure through spring 2011. Given the favorable weather received because of this pattern, Kirkwood retains a good chance of closing out the season with a few more big storms and epic powder days.
About Skiinfo
Skiinfo collects ski resort data from all ski areas in Europe and North America and reports running snowfall totals and current conditions at each. Skiinfo is the world’s leading snow resort information site with more than seven million users and multiple language sites spread across Europe. Skiinfo issues weekly “World Snowfall Tally” certificates to resorts at the top of the running total list: http://www.skiinfo.co.uk/Snowreport-Snowfall-Last-seven-Days-6891-en.jhtml
About Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Kirkwood Mountain Resort is one of the nation´s top year-round family destination lifestyle resorts. Located just 177 miles from the Bay Area along scenic Highway 88, its base elevation of 7,800-feet assures skiers more annual snowfall than any other Tahoe resort. Kirkwood is recognized by winter purists and national media alike for the quality of its snow and terrain variety. Known for its pristine beauty and action-packed expeditions and events, winter fun includes skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, sled dog tours, and backcountry expeditions. An ideal location for weddings and corporate meetings, the Kirkwood Village includes boutique shopping, live music and dining. Resort real estate ranges in size from condominiums and townhomes to luxury slopeside residences. For more information about Kirkwood Mountain Resort, log on to www.kirkwood.com or call 209.258.6000.
After receiving 804 inches of snow in the 2005/06 season, Kirkwood experienced a few below-average snow years. The 2010/11 season-to-date snowfall (514 to 536 inches) already exceeds the average season total, and with another six weeks until the end of the season, these figures stand to rise substantially. La Niña’s favorable impacts this season have helped the resort “rebound” from the off seasons in between and uphold its reputation with the deepest, lightest, driest snow in the Tahoe area.
For the first time since the 05/06 season, Kirkwood opened before Thanksgiving on 100% natural snow. The resort turned two lifts on Wednesday, November 24 and opened for top to bottom skiing on November 26 with almost 10 feet of fresh snow. The favorable weather continued as December storms dumped over half of an average season’s snowfall. January’s sunshine helped along spring-like conditions and visitors’ goggle tans, frustrating powder hounds and inciting more “pray for snow” festivities. February brought the return of winter and a barrage of storms and set the resort up for an above-average season. As hoots and hollers echoed from the powder stashes across the hill, competitors in two world class events went big in the Cirque and used the fresh snow to pad their landings.
The series of heavy February storms marked the triumphant return of La Niña dumping 12.5 feet of snow on Kirkwood’s slopes in the week leading up to February 20, 2011 and earning Kirkwood its award for ‘Most Snow in the World’. The accolade was given by Skiinfo.com—a Scotland-based site that tracks snowfall and conditions at roughly 2,000 resorts worldwide. Kirkwood Mountain Resort earned the number 1 rank and for most snowfall in that 7 day period and topped the list for several days.
The resort received a certificate for Mother Nature’s achievement, once again highlighting the advantages of its geographical location on the western Sierra crest. According to Patrick Thorne, owner/operator of Skiinfo, this total marks the highest 7-day measure of any resort this season to date. As of February 19, Kirkwood had received 9.7 feet of snow, still placing it at the top of the list; as the tail end of the storm ripped through the Sierras, that snowfall total jumped to the final 12.5 feet reported on February 20.
With unsettled weather in the short term forecast, and almost five feet of fresh snow so far to add to the already impressive base, March weather patterns look ensure full coverage for skiing and riding well into spring. Long term weather models are inconclusive for the Tahoe area, though meteorologists predict La Niña conditions to endure through spring 2011. Given the favorable weather received because of this pattern, Kirkwood retains a good chance of closing out the season with a few more big storms and epic powder days.
About Skiinfo
Skiinfo collects ski resort data from all ski areas in Europe and North America and reports running snowfall totals and current conditions at each. Skiinfo is the world’s leading snow resort information site with more than seven million users and multiple language sites spread across Europe. Skiinfo issues weekly “World Snowfall Tally” certificates to resorts at the top of the running total list: http://www.skiinfo.co.uk/Snowreport-Snowfall-Last-seven-Days-6891-en.jhtml
About Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Kirkwood Mountain Resort is one of the nation´s top year-round family destination lifestyle resorts. Located just 177 miles from the Bay Area along scenic Highway 88, its base elevation of 7,800-feet assures skiers more annual snowfall than any other Tahoe resort. Kirkwood is recognized by winter purists and national media alike for the quality of its snow and terrain variety. Known for its pristine beauty and action-packed expeditions and events, winter fun includes skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, sled dog tours, and backcountry expeditions. An ideal location for weddings and corporate meetings, the Kirkwood Village includes boutique shopping, live music and dining. Resort real estate ranges in size from condominiums and townhomes to luxury slopeside residences. For more information about Kirkwood Mountain Resort, log on to www.kirkwood.com or call 209.258.6000.
