Spring skiing capital rages on

OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. -- Despite last month being one of the wettest on record, most Lake Tahoe resorts have been closed for weeks. Mid-winter snow coverage is being melted away without witnesses. Squaw Valley just won't let that happen.

"It's a priority to be open as long as possible," said Katja Dahl, Squaw's public relations director. "It's our philosophy is that if we can be open, we should be. We had a good start and we had a good April. People are skiing in February coverage up there right now."

Squaw and Alpine Meadows, located on the north shore along Highway 89 between Tahoe City and Truckee, have flourished with the injection of late-season snow. After receiving more than 13 feet of new snow since April 1, the two resorts have set May 26 closing dates, nearly a full month after Heavenly, Kirkwood and Sierra-at-Tahoe all closed.

"The last six, seven years we've stayed open until late May. I think Alpine has as well," Dahl said. "That's basically our goal at the beginning of each season, to stay open until the end of May. Now sometimes it just can't happen but we hope it does."

Competing resorts said the premature closures were the result of customer disinterest. With summer peeking around the corner, snow sport enthusiasts start thinking about other activities, according to Heavenly and Kirkwood. Squaw is reaping the benefits of those decisions.

"We exceeded April's budget and we have already exceeded May's budget," Dahl said. "We're doing really well. Now if the numbers aren't that great, that's when we'll close a few lifts. We're still a business and we're not into losing money. So we might shut down a lift or something like that. But as long as it stays cold enough and the snow allows it, we'll keep as many lifts running as possible."

KT-22, which access some of Squaw's steepest terrain, is one of seven lifts currently open at Squaw. It will remain open through Sunday, then only the upper mountain will be open. Adult full day (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) lift tickets are $49 and customers receive $10 off if they bring a season pass from another resort. Once KT-22 closes, lift tickets will be $39, but there won't be any discounts.

"Usually we close KT-22 in mid-April but the snow conditions have allowed us to keep it open until May," Dahl said. "It's just because the mountain run (which takes people from the upper mountain to the lower mountain) might not be in a good shape after this week. That's why we're closing KT-22."

Kirkwood, however, appears to have changed its mind about the late season potential. The resort, located along Highway 88 in Alpine County, announced Monday it will reopen May 24 and 25 for Memorial Day weekend. Adult full-day (8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.) lift tickets will be $25. Skiers and boarders who bring season passes from other resorts will get a $5 discount. Mammoth Mountain, located 150 miles south of Carson City on Highway 395, hasn't set a closing date yet and plans on staying open until mid-June.

Squaw, though, might have an extra treat for its customers this summer.

"We're considering reopening for July 4," Dahl said. "Probably just for three or four days but we won't be able to make that decision until sometime in mid-June. We've done it in the past. We'll probably only have Shirley and Granite (lifts) open if that happens."

For more information on Squaw Valley USA, visit www.squaw.com