Not enough parking in Tahoe for all the skiers

By Kathryn Reed

TWIN BRIDGES — Some ski areas in Lake Tahoe are discovering there are consequences to too much snow. And that would be not enough parking to cater to all those people who want to ski and snowboard.

A sign at the base of Echo Summit on Highway 50 warns people that traveling will be slow because the lots at Sierra-at-Tahoe are full. Traffic headed west on Highway 50 was backed up Sunday morning to Sawmill Road.

Sierra-at-Tahoe's lots on Feb. 27 are full before noon. Photo/Kathryn Reed

Once people get to the resort they are not allowed to turn up the driveway and must continue on the highway.

About 11am Feb. 27 one law enforcement official told Lake Tahoe News it had been this way for a little bit. California Highway Patrol officers, El Dorado County sheriff’s deputies and Sierra employees were working the entrance of the ski resort.

Calls to the resort were not returned before this story was published.

A spokeswoman for Heavenly Mountain Resort had no information about parking, but based on this Tweet from the resort at 11:17am, lots are likely to be full as well as Ski Run Boulevard: “Don’t want to mess with driving or pesky parking? We have four base lodges and complimentary shuttles running between all of them!”

Victoria Sabelmik, guest services manager at Kirkwood Mountain Resort at about 11am said, “We are getting close to capacity for parking.” She added Presidents’ Weekend was definitely busier.

Besides the fresh snow, the North American Freestyle Championships are drawing people to Kirkwood today.