Tahoe ski season nears end with more resort closures

The Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe and Northstar-at-Tahoe resorts will close for the season Sunday, while Sierra-at-Tahoe will shut down its lifts Monday.

Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe spokesman Mike Pierce said the resort still enjoys 7 to 14 feet of snow, but suffers from slowing end-of-season ticket sales.

"The weather's getting nicer, the golf courses are open and there's just too much competition with other activities," he said.

Skier Harry Dolden of Tahoe City, Calif., also has observed dwindling crowds.

"It's a bummer," he said. "The trails are groomed, there's a ton of snow, no rocks, but no people, either. Everybody else is getting their golf sticks out, playing tennis."

Sugar Bowl will close May 2, the same day Heavenly will end its daily operations. Heavenly plans to stay open on weekends after that, depending on skier interest.

Kirkwood also plans to stay open at least through May 2.

Only three Sierra resorts have announced plans to stay open after next weekend.

Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley plan to keep their lifts in operation through at least Memorial Day, while Mammoth Mountain plans to stay in operation until June.

Resort operators said they reaped financial benefits from a fifth straight unusually snowy winter in the Sierra.

"We've had one of our best seasons ever - right up there in our top three," said Northstar spokeswoman Nancy Barna. "They said El Nino was going to be our best winter ever, but La Nina followed close behind."

At Sugar Bowl, this season surpassed last year's record numbers by more than 20,000 skier visits, said spokeswoman Carol White.

"Everything just came together," she said. "We keep getting surprised at the momentum we've had."

Some skiers said they're not sad to see the season drawing to an end.

"I'm pretty sick of winter," said Cherie Adams of Reno. "I love it when it first gets here ... (but) I'm definitely ready for warmer weather."

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