I-80 Is Closed In Both Directions, Police Warn California Skiers To Stay Home
The talk of the ski world is the blizzard that's currently dumping feet of snow across the Lake Tahoe region in California and Nevada.
Interstate 80 (I-80) is the main thoroughfare for skiers and tourists to access Lake Tahoe from Sacramento and San Francisco to the west, and from Reno to the East.
As of 11:00 a.m. PST on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, I-80 is closed in both directions as the biggest storm of the season dumps feet of snow.
"Should I stay or should I go? You should probably stay…" writes California Highway Patrol (CHP) Truckee. "I-80 over Donner Summit is CLOSED in both directions due to whiteout conditions and poor visibility. Travel is unsafe at this time."
CHP Truckee posted a video of whiteout conditions on I-80 from earlier today. Tap or click below to watch. Keep reading for more.
The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.
The storm has also caused multiple ski resorts to close due to winds and avalanche danger, including Boreal, Mammoth, and Palisades Tahoe.
The highest storm total, so far, belongs to Mammoth, which is reporting nearly 40 inches of new snow at its summit. When all is said and done, week-long storm totals will be measured in feet, not inches.
But, as CHP Truckee reminds overly-excited skiers yearning for powder, "Sit this one out. We promise the mountain will still be here tomorrow."
Stay tuned throughout this week for more stories, photos, and videos from California's biggest winter storm of the season. It's going to be a doozy.