Although we’ve had a couple healthy early-season storms in the Sierra Nevada the weather has been pretty dry the last couple weeks - but temperatures are finally dropping, which means that ski and board resorts have been aggressively building their bases with snowmaking.

Here are the latest opening day projections and resort updates for the beginning of the 2008-2009 ski and board season (as of Dec. 5 - conditions are subject to change.)

• Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: Open seven days a week turning two lifts with terrain features. Tickets are $20.
• Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort: Opening Dec. 6
• Alpine Meadows: Opening Dec. 12
• Squaw Valley USA: Opening Dec. 6 with intermediate skiing and snowboarding from the Exhibition/Searchlight Lift
• Diamond Peak: As conditions permit
• Heavenly Mountain Resort: Open seven days a week with six lifts
• Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort: As conditions permit
• Boreal: Open seven days a week with one lift and terrain features. Tickets are $20.
• Sugar Bowl: As conditions permit
• Kirkwood: As conditions permit

The first BIG Snow of November

Originally uploaded by alpinemeadows

Recent storms in the Lake Tahoe basin have been low in temperature and high in moisture content, which can mean one thing: Deep snow. Some resorts have reported more than a foot of fresh powder and are talking about opening. Here’s a run-down of tentative opening days:

• Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: Dec. 8
• Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort: Nov. 22
• Alpine Meadows: Nov. 26
• Squaw Valley USA: Nov. 22
• Diamond Peak: Dec. 11
• Heavenly Mountain Resort: Nov. 21
• Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort: undetermined December
• Boreal: Nov. 7
• Sugar Bowl: Nov. 27
• Kirkwood: mid- to late-November

Last weekend’s snow in Reno-Tahoe reminded us of the reason for the season - skiing and boarding! Hopefully the early season flurries are indicative of a snowy winter ahead.

For regular, even semi-regular, skiers and boarders a season pass is a worthwhile investment. Here’s a breakdown of pass prices at local resorts (adult). Drop a few coins on a pass now … it will pay off when the big dumps come this winter!

• Alpine Meadows: $599-$1,074
• Boreal Mountain Resort: $199-$329
• Diamond Peak: $109-$567
• Donner Ski Ranch: $249
• Heavenly Lake Tahoe: $379
• Homewood Mountain Resort: $349-$499
• Kirkwood: $439-$569
• Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: $599
• Northstar-at-Tahoe: $299-$749
• Sierra-at-Tahoe: $299-$749
• Soda Springs: $199
• Squaw Valley USA: $1,889
• Sugar Bowl: $299-$839
• Tahoe Donner: $270

* Prices may reflect early season specials/online discounts.