Donner Ski Ranch invited visitors on Christmas Day in Norden where skiers were cheerful, particularly with more snow in the forecast. The family-owned resort has COVID-19 protocols set up.

This is one of the few ski resorts that permit walk-up ticket buys, as capacity grants.

“Keeping everything as clean as we can,” owner Janet Tuttle said. “We’re only letting a limited number of people in the lodge at a time. We have food to go.”

Face masks are required at all times and social distancing is very simple, given a restricted limits.

“After all the lockdown, it’s hard to stay all the time inside,” said skier Bianca Dibrino, who lives in Truckee. “Of course, we need a little bit of movement. Otherwise it’s hard. It’s not healthy.”

Donner Ski Ranch has extended from weekends just to daily operations.

“We just decided to support a mom and pop place, family-owned place, and keep it low key,” Truckee resident Wendy Nevins said.

Snow was falling in the Sierra Friday evening and was expected through the morning on Saturday. More snow was expected late Sunday night and into the day on Monday.

Tuttle said they haven’t needed to restrict limit yet, however she envisions they may need to after the Christmas storm.

“With the storm that’s coming in today and tonight, and another one in a few days, things are looking very good for the snow,” she said.