Overview
- A three-day storm from Dec. 24–26 delivered 3–5 feet of snow across Tahoe and the Central Sierra, with reported totals including Mammoth 67 inches, Northstar 61 inches and Palisades Tahoe 50 inches.
- Mammoth Mountain suspended all mountain operations on Friday due to high avalanche danger.
- The Sierra Avalanche Center warned that large avalanches could be easily triggered, and a solo backcountry traveler was caught, carried and partially buried after triggering a slab on Thursday.
- Resorts celebrated the turnaround yet reported weather-related setbacks, including power outages that delayed lift operations.
- Travel remained hazardous as I-80 saw repeated closures and reopenings due to spinouts over the past two days, with chains advised for drivers.