Historic March Heat Wave
Truckee North Tahoe This Week | March 16-22, 2026
Hi everyone 👋 hope you had an excellent week. We have a historic heatwave in store, the annual Pain McShlonkey Classic over the weekend, plus some other news items. Please read on for more!
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Temperatures will hit 70-75F in Truckee this week, 15-20 degrees above normal. NOAA says records will be shattered Tuesday through Friday. Snowmelt is running fast in area waterways.
Palisades Tahoe is open with a 33” base and 278” season total. Conditions are machine groomed and variable with no new snow in the forecast this week.
The Town of Truckee has a new Director of Neighborhood Services and Sustainability: Paul Bancroft, a longtime local who spent 18 years at Sierra Community House.
Truckee Town Council approved $477K to advance the new library design. Construction documents and building permits are next.
Alterra has announced 2026-27 Ikon Pass prices, up about 5% from last year. The full pass starts at $1,399 and is on sale now.
Good Morning Truckee on Tuesday tackles “The Future of Snow” with scientists from POW, UC Berkeley, and the Sierra Avalanche Center.
The Pain McShlonkey Classic returns Saturday at Palisades. Snowblades, costumes, and chaos in honor of Shane McConkey.
FROM AROUND THE BASIN
WEATHER OUTLOOK
This is not a normal March week. Strong high pressure is building over the region and will push temperatures to levels more typical of early June. Truckee is forecast to hit highs of 70F Monday, climbing to 73-75F Tuesday through Friday. NOAA’s Reno forecast office says records will be shattered mid-week, with Reno having an 85% chance of setting an all-time March temperature record.
This means rapid snowmelt and fast-running waterways. Stay out of area creeks and rivers, which will be running cold and high.
The warm, dry pattern holds through next weekend. There are early hints of a pattern change bringing wetter weather in the final week of March, but nothing confirmed yet.
Source: NOAA Truckee Forecast, NOAA Reno Forecast Discussion
LOCAL NEWS AND COMMUNITY UPDATES
Community and Regional News
Paul Bancroft named Director of Neighborhood Services and Sustainability. The Town of Truckee selected Bancroft, a Truckee native who spent 18 years at Sierra Community House including 11 as Executive Director, to lead the department overseeing housing, solid waste, sustainability, short-term rentals, and the IDEA program. He starts in April.
Truckee approves $477K for new library design. The Town Council voted unanimously to fund the next phase of design for the planned $38 million library, which will advance building permits and finalize construction documents. The Friends of the Truckee Library reports $8.5 million in pledges toward the project.
Best of North Tahoe and Truckee nominations are open through March 25. The Sierra Sun’s annual community recognition contest is underway. Nominate your favorite local businesses and people.
TTUSD Hope Week runs March 16-20. The school district’s Hope Squad is hosting its annual week of community connection, resilience, and mental health awareness across Tahoe Truckee schools.
Housing and Development
Granite View Condominiums draft EIR open for public comment through April 20. Placer County has released the environmental review for a proposed 19-unit condo-hotel project in Olympic Valley, significantly scaled back from an earlier 52-unit proposal. A public hearing is scheduled April 9 at the Placer County Planning Commission in Auburn (also streamed virtually).
Environment and Public Lands
Lawsuit challenges USDA rule change affecting Tahoe National Forests. The Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club are suing the USDA over a 2025 rule change that eliminates public comment requirements before approving logging, mining, and other projects on national forests. About 78% of the land around Lake Tahoe is National Forest.
UPCOMING EVENTS THIS WEEK
Monday, March 16
Integration Circle with Tahoe Psychedelic Society, 5:30-7:00pm, The Alchemy Space, Truckee. A monthly community gathering for reflection and conversation following psychedelic, spiritual, or other meaningful experiences. Includes mindfulness practices and guided sharing. $20 suggested donation.
Tuesday, March 17
Good Morning Truckee: The Future of Snow, 8:00-9:30am, Truckee Town Hall. A panel discussion on how Sierra snowpack is changing, featuring scientists from Protect Our Winters (POW), UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab, and the Sierra Avalanche Center. $10 members / $15 non-members.
Truckee Planning Commission Meeting, 6:00pm, Town Council Chambers. Monthly meeting open to the public.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at The Rocker, All Day, The Village at Palisades Tahoe. Wear green and celebrate with drink specials including Guinness drafts, Irish whiskey, and festive après vibes.
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at Granlibakken, Evening, Granlibakken Tahoe (Tahoe City). Irish-inspired dinner specials and themed drinks celebrating the holiday.
Wednesday, March 18
Town Race League at Palisades: “Palisades Pros” Theme, 2:00pm, Palisades Tahoe. Weekly community race series open to all abilities 18+. Dress the theme for a chance to win a prize. $25 to race.
Thursday, March 19
Throwback Thursdays at Rocker, 2:00-5:00pm, The Village at Palisades Tahoe. Live music and happy hour specials every Thursday through end of season. Retro ski attire encouraged.
Friday, March 20
Ski with a Scientist at Alpine, 1:00pm, Alpine Lodge. Free guided on-mountain tour with UC Davis TERC researchers. This week’s topic: Snowpack for Healthy Forests. Sign up day-of at the TERC table. Intermediate terrain required.
Feel Good Fridays at the Auld Dubliner, 5:00-7:00pm, Palisades Village. Live music, $5 drink specials, and raffle prizes benefiting Achieve Tahoe’s adaptive sports programs. Free entry. Runs through March 27.
Saturday, March 21
Truckee Rotary’s Crab and Pasta Feed, 5:00-9:00pm, Truckee Rec Center. A community fundraiser supporting local nonprofits featuring all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab, pasta, salad, a no-host bar, live music, and a silent auction. $65 adults / $35 kids (12 & under).
Pain McShlonkey Classic, 8:00am-4:00pm, Palisades Tahoe. The annual celebration of Shane McConkey returns with the Hot Dog Downhill, costumes, a raffle, and community stoke. Snowblades and outrageous ski attire required. Registration required; virtual participation available.
Ski for MS Vertical Challenge with Jonny Moseley, 8:30am-5:30pm, Palisades Tahoe. Rack up vertical feet to raise money for the MS community, then join Jonny Moseley for an apres party with free beer, wine, and live music. Early bird registration from $50.
Alpine Lodge Music Series: Joy & Madness, 2:00-5:00pm, Alpine Lodge. Free live music on the deck. No ticket required.
Alpenglow Apres at The Chalet (Alpine), 4:30-7:30pm. A 21+ sunset gathering at The Chalet with raclette, Chalet bites, live DJ, fire pits, and Aperol Spritz on arrival. $50+. Guests walk from Alpine Lodge.
Sunday, March 22
Mothership Classic at KT-22, Palisades Tahoe. Pledge-driven first-to-last-chair fundraiser for the High Fives Foundation. Hot lap KT-22 on skinny skis, retro snowboards, or snow blades. Must raise at least $200 to participate.
Alpine’s 40th Annual Snow Golf Tournament, 8:00am-2:00pm, Alpine. Free to enter with a valid lift ticket or pass. Ten-hole course from the top of Summit Express to The Chalet, followed by a Caddyshack-themed afterparty. First come, first served registration at 8am at Alpine base.
SKI REPORT
Palisades Tahoe (as of March 15, 2026)
Base depth: 31”
Season total: 278”
New snow (last 7 days): 0”
Open lifts: 25 of 39
Open trails: 106 of 296
Open terrain: 84%
Conditions: Machine groomed, variable
With no new snow in the forecast and temperatures climbing into the 60s at mid-mountain this week, expect spring corn conditions on groomed runs and variable, softening snow off-piste. The Belmont Terrain Park remains a solid option. Parking reservations are required on weekends. View the full report.
Note: Alterra has announced 2026-27 Ikon Pass prices are now on sale. Full pass starts at $1,399 (up ~5%). Ikon Pass slopeside sales are happening daily at Palisades through March 22.
AVALANCHE FORECAST
The Sierra Avalanche Center publishes daily forecasts for the Central Sierra Nevada. With the current warm, dry pattern and no new snow, avalanche danger is expected to be low this week. That said, warm temperatures can trigger wet avalanche activity on steep, sun-exposed terrain during afternoon hours. Check the daily forecast before any backcountry travel.
COMMUNITY ALERTS AND REMINDERS
Waterways running fast and cold. NOAA is warning that rapid snowmelt this week will keep area creeks and rivers running high and cold. Avoid wading or swimming in them.
Palisades parking reservations required on weekends. Weekend and holiday parking at Palisades Tahoe requires a reservation through April 12, 2026.
Placer County Granite View EIR comment period open. Public comments on the Olympic Valley condo-hotel project are accepted through April 20. The draft EIR is available at the Truckee Library and online.