Author: Kristie Wells
A milestone 60th season comes to a close sooner than expected, with final turns set for March 29th.
It’s not the ending anyone had in mind, especially during a milestone year, but Diamond Peak will wrap its 60th anniversary ski season earlier than anticipated.
After a winter defined more by sunshine than snowfall, the resort has announced it will officially close for the season on Sunday, March 29, 2026, giving skiers and riders just over a week to squeeze in their final laps.
A Season of Celebration … and Challenges
This winter was meant to be a celebration – six decades of skiing above Lake Tahoe, shared with generations of locals and visitors alike. And while that spirit certainly carried through on the mountain, the season itself presented some undeniable challenges.
Warmer-than-average temperatures and below-normal snowfall created difficult operating conditions throughout the winter. Despite ongoing efforts from mountain operations to maintain coverage and quality, the realities of the weather ultimately shortened the season on both ends – opening later than usual and now closing earlier than hoped.
Still, if you spent any time on the slopes this year, you likely felt what made the season special: a community that continues to show up, year after year, regardless of conditions.
What to Expect for the Final Week
Operations will now shift to focus on maintaining the best possible experience on the lower mountain.
Skiers can expect:
- Access via Lakeview, Lodgepole, and School House chairlifts
- Beginner terrain and learning areas remaining open
- Upper mountain terrain (including Crystal Express) now closed
While terrain will be limited, spring conditions tend to bring softer snow and a more relaxed, social atmosphere – arguably one of the most enjoyable times to be on the mountain.
A Nod to the 60th Season
In a fitting tribute to its anniversary year, Diamond Peak is leaning into a bit of nostalgia for closing week.
Lift tickets, rentals, and beginner lesson packages have all been reduced to $60, making it one of the most accessible times of the season to get out on the snow or try skiing or snowboarding for the first time.
For locals, it’s a reminder of the resort’s long-standing role as a community mountain – approachable, scenic, and deeply rooted in Incline Village.
Closing Weekend Events Still On
The season may be shorter, but the closing weekend will still deliver the energy Diamond Peak is known for.
Highlights include:
- Luggi Foeger Uphill/Downhill Festival & SkiMo Race (March 28th, modified course)
- Dummy Downhill (March 29th), the resort’s signature spring send-off
- A tropical-themed weekend complete with costumes and a live DJ
For those of us who live here, Diamond Peak is more than just a ski resort – it’s part of the rhythm of winter in Incline Village.
An early closure like this is a clear signal of broader shifts we’re continuing to see in Tahoe winters. Shorter seasons, variable snowfall, and warmer temperatures are becoming more common, impacting not just recreation, but local businesses and community dynamics as well.
That said, if there’s one constant, it’s the community that surrounds this mountain. Whether it’s a powder day or a spring lap in a t-shirt, people continue to show up – for the views, the connection, and the experience.
If you’ve been meaning to get out there one last time this season, consider this your nudge.
A few spring turns, a lakeside view, and maybe a tropical shirt for good measure – it’s not the season anyone planned, but it’s still one worth finishing.
Diamond Peak isn’t alone in feeling the effects of a warmer, lower-snow season. Across the Tahoe Basin, several resorts are adjusting their timelines, with some already closing and others holding on with limited operations.
As of this week, here’s how the remainder of the ski season is shaping up across the region:
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: Closed March 22
- Tahoe Donner: Closed March 22
- Boreal Mountain Resort: Expected to close April 19
- Heavenly: Expected to close April 19
- Kirkwood: Expected to close April 19
- Northstar California: Expected to close April 19
- Soda Springs: Expected to close April 19
- Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: Expected to close April 26
- Sugar Bowl Resort: Expected to close April 27
- Donner Ski Ranch: Expected to close May 10
- Palisades Tahoe: Expected to close May 25
While a few higher-elevation resorts are still projecting later closing dates, the broader trend is clear: this has been a compressed and unpredictable season across the Sierra.
For locals and visitors alike, it’s a reminder to take advantage of the remaining days on the mountain because this year, winter looks like it is trying to make an early exit.