Sierra Ski Resorts Close Early Amid Unseasonably Warm March

Rapid snow melt forces resorts to scale back operations and cut seasons short

Mar. 20, 2026 at 5:37am

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A stretch of unusually warm weather this March is rapidly melting snow across the Sierra Nevada, forcing several ski resorts to cut their seasons short and scale back operations. Resorts like Sierra-at-Tahoe and Homewood Mountain Resort have already closed for the season, while others are operating with limited terrain due to the lack of snowpack.

Why it matters

The early closures highlight the impact of climate change on winter sports and tourism in the Sierra Nevada region. Resorts are having to adapt to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and diminished snowpack, which threatens the long-term viability of the ski industry in California.

The details

After a powerful February storm brought over 9 feet of snow in 5 days, much of that snowfall has already melted due to warmer-than-normal temperatures in March. Resorts have had to rely more on automated snowmaking systems to extend their seasons, but the natural snowpack remains a major concern statewide, currently at just 37% of the April 1 average.

  • In February, a powerful storm brought over 9 feet of snow to the Sierra Nevada in just 5 days.
  • In March, unusually warm temperatures have rapidly melted much of that snowfall.
  • Homewood Mountain Resort has already closed for the season.
  • Sierra-at-Tahoe plans to shut down operations this Sunday, March 24, 2026.
  • Other major resorts plan to remain open for now, but with limited operations.

The players

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort

A ski resort in the Sierra Nevada mountains that is being forced to shut down operations early due to the lack of snowpack.

Homewood Mountain Resort

A ski resort in the Sierra Nevada that has already closed for the season due to the rapid snow melt.

California Department of Water Resources

The state agency that monitors California's snowpack, which is currently at just 37% of the April 1 average.

Michael Anderson

The California state climatologist who noted that the current snowpack levels mirror conditions seen in 1976, during one of California's most severe drought years.

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What they’re saying

“You come one day and it's like so much snow, and you come the next day and it's all gone. Then you're like, where did it all go?”

— Roxy Lux

“We've had less precipitation, less snowfall than we wanted, and we've also had a very quick melt-off, much more quick than anticipated.”

— Jake Stern, Communications Manager, Sierra-at-Tahoe

“You know, at 37%, that's the same we had in 1976, that first year of extreme drought. Definitely not the snowpack we wanted.”

— Michael Anderson, California State Climatologist

“Definitely hoping that next season we get a little bit more powder. Could've used a few more powder days, but again, making the most of what we got.”

— Angie Lux

What’s next

Resort officials say they are now taking conditions day by day, as the Sierra snowpack continues to shrink by roughly 1% daily.

The takeaway

The early closures of Sierra ski resorts due to rapid snow melt highlight the growing impact of climate change on the winter sports industry in California. Resorts are having to adapt to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and diminished snowpack, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the ski industry in the region.