Snow-starved California ski resorts delay openings despite powerful recent storms

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It may have felt like the recent rain would never end in Los Angeles, but the record-breaking precipitation in Southern California has failed to translate into a much-desired dumping of snow at ski resorts across the state.While Friday was originally set as the opening date of the Heavenly and Northstar ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area, officials said mild weather and stubbornly insufficient flurries have delayed those plans.Vail Resorts, which owns both resorts, has yet to announce an updated opening date.But the forecast ahead does not look promising.“A dry forecast is in store for the next week through Thanksgiving and Black Friday,” Open Snow wrote in its Tahoe area forecast Friday.

“We could see a change in the pattern the weekend of the 29th with colder air moving in and maybe some snow.Overall, through the long-range, there are no big storms showing up, but hopefully that changes as we go deeper into December.”Mammoth Mountain, California’s highest-elevation ski resort, was also recently forced to delay the start of its season.

Climate & Environment Climate change will push snow higher in California’s Sierra Nevada by the second half of the century, bringing more winter rain and faster mountain runoff.The Sierra Nevada resort had initially announced a Nov.14 opening date, but pushed it off as an atmospheric river storm swept across the state.

While forecasters hoped the low-pressure system would blanket the slopes in Mammoth, mountainside temperatures remained too warm for serious snow.Disappointed skiers and snowboarders took to social media to share videos of the muddy slopes.Fortunately, thanks to a moderate storm earlier this week and robust use of snow machines, Mammoth was able to open for the season Thursday with around one-third of its lifts running.

Nevertheless, season snowfall totals remain below average.Other major Golden State ski resorts...