Winter has finally arrived in Tahoe. Skier: Mark Durgin

Tahoe riders are celebrating five to seven feet of snow that fell in the last week. The multi day storm cycle started with wet, dense snow and transitioned to ultra light fluff with snowfall rates approaching four inches an hour on Friday night. Valley floors received over three feet of snow finally bringing lower elevation trailheads into play. Conditions have been spectacular though not without hazards that frequently accompany tremendous snowfall in a short time frame. A snowboarder was reported missing at Squaw Valley on Thursday night and found dead Friday morning (cause of death still undetermined). Friday afternoon an in-bounds avalanche below the Olympic Lady chairlift at Squaw Valley overtook five skiers. Some sustained injuries but no-one died in the incident. Backcountry skiers should be aware of a deep slab avalanche problem throughout the region. Large destructive avalanches have occurred over the past several days.

Check out more on this concern the Sierra Avalanche Center: https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/advisory

Deep slab avalanche crown visible on top of Schallenberger Ridge.

Donner Pass on March 4, 2018.

The Palisades at Sugar Bowl.

82 inches of new snow has Squaw Valley looking like it’s normal winter self.

Elevation 7,400 feet was still dirt just a few weeks ago.