Ski resorts through put the Sierras had high hopes for opening before Thanksgiving. Those resorts included Alpine Meadow, Heavenly Ski Resort and Squaw Valley USA when six inches of snow fell last weekend. The resorts have already hired winter employees and prepared for opening. There is just one little problem: no snow.

The rains earlier in the week and above-freezing temperatures at night have not been conducive to either natural or man-made snow-making. Boreal Ski Resort did open Tuesday.

One ski lift is operating and there is one patch of manmade-snow but as the only "game in town," it's drawing die-hard skiers and snowboards. Heavenly is now targeting November 22 as opening day. Northstar-at-Tahoe plans to open its kids/beginner ski area on Thanksgiving, November 23. Kirkwood has received just enough snow to get everyone really excited but not enough to open the resort. They are postponing their opening date until we receive colder temperatures which will either bring a colder weather system through, or allow them to make snow. This week, the week of November 20th looks promising for an opening day according to resort operators.