A snow surprise for Sierra peaks

RENO - A storm dropped as much as 15 inches of snow in the Sierra Nevada, opening ski season early on some slopes but bogging down traffic on mountain highways.

The Boreal resort atop Donner Summit reported up to 15 inches of snow from late Monday into yesterday, and workers said they hope to open tomorrow. Alpine Meadows resort, north of Lake Tahoe, reported about 14 inches of snow during the night, and hopes to open Nov. 26.

"Winter has made an entrance," said David Thatcher, snowmaking manager at Alpine Meadows. Most Tahoe resorts typically open around Thanksgiving.

"A significant change like this in the weather pattern gets the phones ringing," said Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association.

Chains or snow tires were required during the night on all three major highways linking Lake Tahoe and Sacramento: Interstate 80 over Donner Summit, US 50 over Echo Summit, and Highway 88 over Carson Pass. Similar controls were in effect around the Reno-Tahoe area.

Farther south, Mammoth Mountain, located near Yosemite National Park, opened for the season Monday, the first in California.

ASSOCIATED PRESS