Lake Tahoe: Ski End April
 

Wanted to get opinions as to the possibility of reasonable snow (not too icy) at the end of April in the Lake Tahoe region? Does the area typically still have snow at that time of year? Fodors indicate that ski resorts operate through May? Any thoughts appreciated

I've skied Tahoe in mid to late April and both times there was plenty of snow. As a matter of fact it was snowing while we were there on both trips!

You need to check with the individual resorts. Relatives live at Northstore and last year mentioned that they could have still been skiing, but the resort closed anyway. Their dates are set by staff requirements, etc. so even though skiing might still be possible, it will close down anyway.

Duh, that was Northstar, not Northstore!

You can never tell what the snow pack/conditions will be. Some years skiing is over in Early March and other years it goes until Memorial Day. But with Easter so late this year most resorts will try to stay open at least until the end of April if there is any snow at all.

Spring skiing at Lake Tahoe varies from year to year. There may or may not be many resorts open that late in the season, i.e., after Easter, depending on the quality and quantity of the snow. The conditions at that time of year are generally icy in the morning, slushy in the middle of the day and icy again at the end of the day. You would be a lot better off to plan your trip for prior to Easter.

End of April is typically spring conditions. There is often (but not always) decent coverage, but you want to pick your slopes so you start on the sunny ones in the AM and move to the shaded ones in the afternoon. Most often resorts close in mid to late April because the skiers have all moved on to doing other spring activities, not because they have run out of snow. Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley tend to stay open into May (some years even June). At that time of year, I like combining a day or two of skiing with a day or two doing sightseeing (auto museum in Reno, Virginia City, ...).