Exploring the Sierra Nevada Mountains in March 2025
It’s late March in California. By now, the crocuses should be peeking, the bikes should be tuned, and the skis—a little scratched but fondly remembered—should be gathering dust in the garage. That’s the script, anyway.
But in the Sierra Nevada, weather doesn’t read scripts. It improvises.
A series of potent late-season snowstorms is poised to sweep across the Far West, beginning Wednesday night, March 26. From Mammoth to Mount Hood, forecasts call for heavy snowfall, cold temperatures, and a full reset of spring skiing conditions. Resorts across California, Oregon, and Washington are preparing for a resurgence of winter that could extend ski seasons well into April—and perhaps beyond.
This isn’t spring skiing as expected. It’s a full-blown encore.
A Parade of Pacific Storms
Forecasters are tracking a line of moisture-rich systems queuing up in the Pacific, all heading for the spine of the Sierra and beyond. The first arrives Wednesday night, with snow levels dropping below 6,500 feet in many places. A second system follows Saturday. A third, colder round is expected early next week. Each is expected to bring measurable snow, strong winds, and travel disruptions.
The systems are driven by a classic Pacific trough paired with a subtropical jet, creating the conditions for widespread, orographically enhanced snowfall—aka the Sierra snow machine at full blast.
Sierra Nevada Snowfall Forecasts (and What It Means)
Mammoth Mountain
Estimated snowfall: 2 to 4 feet
Closing date: Scheduled for May 26, 2025
Mammoth, the workhorse of late-season skiing, is sitting squarely in the storm bullseye. Forecast models suggest two to four feet of snow at upper elevations over the next five days. With nightly lows dropping into the 20s, expect snow quality to remain chalky and dry. The resort already had plans to run through Memorial Day, but should this pattern persist into April, don’t rule out a season that nudges into June—or even later.
Mammoth’s combination of high base elevation, expansive terrain, and deep snow preservation makes it uniquely suited to benefit from storms like these.
Palisades Tahoe
Estimated snowfall: 30 to 48 inches
Closing date: Scheduled for May 26, 2025
Palisades Tahoe is forecast to pick up between 2.5 and 4 feet of snow by early next week. Cold air aloft will help keep snow levels down, and upper mountain terrain will likely receive the best coverage. The resort, which boasts over 4,000 acres of terrain and one of the deepest spring snowpacks in the Sierra, is built for a good April.
If the storms deliver, expect expanded terrain offerings, fewer freeze-thaw cycles, and the potential for the resort to flirt with early June operations.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Estimated snowfall: 2 to 3 feet
Closing date: Scheduled for April 13, 2025
Kirkwood, often California’s sleeper hit when it comes to storm totals, is looking at a forecast of 24 to 36 inches. With a base elevation over 7,800 feet, much of the resort’s terrain will see consistent coverage without the issues of mid-mountain rain. Though set to close in mid-April, management could consider a modest extension into late April if snow quality and skier interest remain high.
The challenge? Staffing and logistics. Kirkwood’s remoteness is part of its charm, but also its operational hurdle.
Heavenly Mountain Resort
Estimated snowfall: 10 to 20 inches (upper elevations)
Closing date: Not officially announced
Forecasts are more conservative for Heavenly, especially at lower elevations where rain may mix with snow. Still, upper-mountain terrain could receive a foot or more of fresh snow. If conditions are favorable, the resort could stretch into late April or early May, particularly if skier turnout stays strong post-storm.
Heavenly’s cross-border location, sprawling trail system, and lakeside appeal make it a late-spring magnet, particularly for visitors from the Bay Area and Reno.
Pacific Northwest Outlook: Oregon & Washington
The same storm systems targeting California will also impact the Cascade Range further north. Resorts in Oregon and Washington are preparing for a significant boost.
Mt. Bachelor (OR)
Estimated snowfall: 18 to 30 inches
Closing date: Typically late May
Mt. Bachelor is forecast to receive nearly three feet of snow at upper elevations over the next week. With a base area sitting at 6,300 feet and operations often running into May, this storm cycle could secure a full season’s worth of spring skiing for Central Oregon.
Mt. Hood Meadows (OR)
Estimated snowfall: 12 to 24 inches
Closing date: Typically mid-April to early May
Snowfall totals around two feet are expected, particularly at higher elevations. Cooler temps should help limit melting, and the new snow could pave the way for weekend extensions through late April.
Crystal Mountain (WA)
Estimated snowfall: 12 to 18 inches
Closing date: Typically mid-April
Crystal Mountain, just east of Mt. Rainier, is also in line to receive 1–2 feet of snow. The storm may not be as intense here as in the Sierra, but it’s enough to improve surface conditions and support continued weekend operations into mid-April.
Climate’s Complicated Role
These late-season miracles come with a caveat: this is not the new normal. It’s the new weird. Weather patterns are becoming increasingly volatile across the West. Dry Februaries, wet Marches, record snow one year and snow drought the next—this is the rollercoaster now.
Snow-dependent businesses, from resorts to snowcat tour guides, have started adapting: investing in snowmaking, flexible staffing, and summer diversification. These March storms are a gift, but also a reminder of the unpredictability that defines the modern mountain climate.
So… What Comes Next?
The current storm cycle is expected to persist through early next week, with at least two more systems in the pipeline. Cold air and consistent precipitation could push storm totals even higher than forecast, especially for Sierra resorts above 7,000 feet.
Once the skies clear, resort operators will assess conditions and possibly adjust their calendars. For skiers and snowboarders, it’s time to re-wax the boards and watch those weather models like hawks.
If there’s one thing the Far West does well, it’s a dramatic second act.
For the RadNut Faithful
You know who you are. You’ve been watching snow-forecast graphs instead of spreadsheets. You never took your Thule off. You’ve got a powder day plan and a backup for the backup. These storms are for you.
So don’t ask if the season’s over. Ask which lifts are open. Ask what time patrol is dropping the rope. Ask if your friend’s truck still has snow chains in the back.
Because spring isn’t the end. Sometimes it’s just the start of the best skiing of the year.
