Well, it didn’t exactly start out very white: when we arrived last week the storm that followed us into the mountains dumped more than four inches of rain on the Sierras in the span of 24 hours. What little snow there was on the upper elevations was all washed away. Everything. All the ski resorts – except for easterly Mount Rose and some small portions of Heavenly – were pretty much all dirt. It was tough to stomach after such incredible seasons the last couple of years and the powder days we were treated to last Christmas break. We knuckled down and made the most of it, with a couple of trips into Reno, some time at the Truckee pool, visits to our favorite mountain eating and drinking establishments… We were even able to have a campfire in the yard, which is a bit of a rarity because the ground is usually covered with snow during the months when open fires are allowed on Donner Summit.
I don’t think I’ve ever checked the weather forecast more frequently than I did during the days leading up to Christmas: the storms that were due to hit the Sierras starting December 24 were expected to drop an astounding four to eight feet of snow on the upper elevations, and if they delivered it would jumpstart the ski season pretty much immediately. The onslaught began on Christmas Eve, with almost three feet hitting Donner Summit in the span of 24 four hours. And with it came the white Christmas we’d all been hoping for. The kids and Lisa were biting at the bit to get amongst it, they spent the afternoon on Christmas Eve sledding on the hills near Donner Ski Ranch while I enjoyed a few holiday libations with some of the locals who live up on the summit. The accumulation rate was incredible to watch, multiple inches an hour during certain periods. Fortunately Santa is acclimated to snowy weather and was able to find us even during the storm, the snow continues to pound us here at 6300 feet as I type. Powder day tomorrow. Finally.
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Yay, got your Christmas wish. Enjoy the snow while it lasts and GO Max!
Dreams do come true! Merry Christmas and happy new year!!
We received your Xmas card. Nice card. Where is the HUGH mountain in the backdrop?
We also have been receiving rain, not snow. However, Sun Valley has man-made snow on certain runs. Glad your wish has come true from the SNOW GOD from the heavens.
Hope Max’s is making headway in his ski training.
The mountain is close to your childhood digs, Al… Glacier National Park.