Home / Environment / California Ski Resorts Melt Under March Heat Wave
California Ski Resorts Melt Under March Heat Wave
16 Mar
Summary
- Two California ski resorts closed weeks early due to heat.
- Mt. Shasta Ski Park closed after only 55 operating days.
- Statewide snowpack is less than half of its seasonal average.
California's winter tourism season has been cut short for some mountain communities due to a significant mid-March heatwave. Two ski resorts, Mt. Shasta Ski Park and Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort, have ceased operations weeks earlier than planned because of historically low snow levels. Mt. Shasta Ski Park, located in the northern part of the state, ended its season after only 55 operating days.
Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort, situated in the Stanislaus National Forest, also announced its closure on Sunday afternoon due to unseasonably warm conditions. Forecasters indicate that a major late-season storm is highly unlikely. These early closures occur as California experiences record-breaking temperatures, with mountain regions anticipating highs in the 60s and 70s, conditions more typical of late spring.
Across California, the snowpack is currently less than half of its average for mid-March. Northern California's snow levels are particularly dire, registering at approximately 28 percent of the normal amount for this time of year. While larger, higher-elevation resorts like Mammoth Mountain and Palisades Tahoe remain open for now, the diminishing snow base and unsafe conditions make sustained operations challenging for many.
