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With the highest base elevation of any ski resort in the Lake Tahoe Region (8,260 ft.), Mt. Rose, Nevada, is known for being the first open, and appears well on its way to take the title again in 2026.
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Temperatures plummeted this weekend after an unseasonably warm streak, and Mt. Rose reported that it conducted its first snowmaking session in the early morning hours of Monday, October 12, 2026.
“It’s always exciting to see the first taste of winter, and as an added bonus, to be able to crank out snowmaking in force over the next couple of days,” said Mt. Rose marketing director, Mike Pierce. “We plan to make as much snow as possible with this latest cold snap and then be ready for all future opportunities to crank up the system.”
Mt. Rose is targeting November 6, 2026, as its opening date, weather and conditions permitting. Check out a photo gallery of the first snowmaking session at Mt. Rose below, and keep reading for more.
A light dusting of snow fell at Mt. Rose overnight, adding to the excitement of the first snowmaking session. Sierra-at-Tahoe, Mammoth, and other peaks around the Sierra saw minor snow accumulation as well.
It’s expected to warm back up later this week, but Mt. Rose is ready to make snow when conditions allow, according to a press release. For skiers trying to guess when Mt. Rose will open, know that the resort requires that at least one of its signature intermediate trails with at least 1,000 feet of vertical has an average base depth of 10-14 inches.
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Mt. Rose typically kicks off opening day with the Lakeview Express lift and Kit Carson Bowl trail. That seems to be their intention in 2026, too.
Elsewhere in Tahoe and the Sierra, ski resorts are gearing up for openings later in November. Mammoth is planning to open on November 13, Northstar and Heavenly on November 20, Palisades Tahoe on November 25, Sugar Bowl on November 27, and Kirkwood on December 4, 2026.
All eyes will be on the impending “super” El Niño leading up to and throughout the season. Will the weather phenomenon dump snow or rain on the region? That remains to be seen, but POWDER is standing by (and fired up) for the opening days ahead.
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This story was originally published October 13, 2026 at 2:47 AM.