More Than Six Feet of Snow: California Ski Resorts Are Buried Amid Intense Storm

It has, as all you Sierra skiers know, been a memorable 24 hours. 

Throughout California’s mountains, an intense winter storm has resulted in temporary resort closures (some of which have continued on Wednesday), whiteouts, and yes, lots of snow. 

Resorts are now digging through the powder, instituting delays, staggered openings, and limited terrain offerings. At Mammoth Mountain, the Main Lodge is closed, but the resort plans to operate eight chairlifts, conditions permitting. Palisades Tahoe, too, is taking it slow to account for the intense weather.

“The snow is deep, and we are moving at the speed of safety as the Patrol and Operations teams work to get the mountain ready. Expect delays,” Palisades Tahoe noted in its snow report Wednesday morning.

Keep scrolling for ski resort snowfall totals.

Stymied resort operations aren’t uncommon after big storms, particularly in the Sierra Nevada, where feet of snow can pile up fast. Ski resorts need time to control avalanche terrain and keep skiers safe. Wind gusts can make it unsafe to operate chairlifts, sometimes, too. Given how quickly conditions can change during a storm, we recommend checking your favorite resort’s website or Instagram page for the latest updates. 

In short, it’s a day for patience—and thankfully, given how much snow has fallen, the powder stashes aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. That also extends to the backcountry, where, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center, the “potential continues for large to very large avalanches occurring.” SAC avalanche forecasts, which currently forecast “high” avalanche danger around Lake Tahoe, can be found here.

Now, without further ado, let’s see those storm totals. All totals are based on seven-day or storm total numbers, unless otherwise specified. See below.

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Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Sierra Nevada Snow Totals

• Palisades Tahoe: 61 inches, 79 inches on the upper mountain
• Sugar Bowl: 63 inches
• Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe (NV): 43 to 52 inches
• Diamond Peak (NV): 59 inches
• Heavenly: 50 inches 
• Northstar: 62 inches 
• Kirkwood: 64 inches
• Sierra at Tahoe: 64 inches
• Boreal Mountain: 26 inches (24-hour)
• Homewood Mountain Resort: 44 inches
• Mammoth Mountain: 44 to 63 inches

Related: CA Governor Newsom Briefed on Avalanche and Missing Skiers Near Lake Tahoe