Sierra Nevada Ski Resorts to Close Early Due to Warm Weather

Ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada are set to end their season early, impacted by warm weather and rain that have significantly reduced the snowpack.

Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort has announced it will close at 4 p.m. on Sunday unless a significant late-season storm brings fresh snow in the next week, as reported.

Central Sierra Resort recently updated its followers on social media, explaining that the combination of recent rain and warmer temperatures has eliminated much of the snow from a powerful storm earlier in February.

“We hope this isn’t the end of the season. We plan to reopen if heavy snow returns,” the ski area stated in a release.

The closures align with a significant heat wave sweeping across the West Coast, resulting in rising temperatures and hastening the snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada.

Current reports suggest that the snowpack in the region is dwindling quickly. In the northern Sierra Nevada, the snow levels have dropped to roughly 31% of the mid-March seasonal average, and many mountain totals are well below what’s considered normal.

Forecasters are predicting temperatures in the mountains to reach the 60s and even the 70s this weekend, which could lead to a rapid melting of any remaining snow.

With the season’s early closure, Sunday is likely to be the last chance for skiing at Dodge Ridge unless another storm appears. However, season pass holders will still have the opportunity to ski at nearby sister resorts, like Bear Valley and China Peak.

To mark what might be their final day of the season, Dodge Ridge is allowing pass holders to bring guests skiing for free on Sunday.

This situation underscores the difficulties that ski areas face during the warmer parts of the season; even brief spikes in temperature can dramatically shrink the leftover snow.