Cloudy Days on the Mountain in Tahoe

A couple of days on the mountain in early January. The weather was consistent: a heavy, flat layer of clouds sitting right on top of us for most of the time. We were up skiing, making the most of the winter conditions.

From the top of the ridge, Lake Tahoe was a deep, dark blue under the gray sky. The mountains on the far side were just hazy shapes. Riding the lifts up gave a great vantage point, looking down over the snowy slopes that spill towards the water. The chairs were mostly empty, just a quiet, steady rhythm on the mountain.

Looking west, away from the lake, the view was different. The cloud ceiling would break occasionally, letting these dramatic shafts of light pass through and hit the distant ranges. It highlighted the textures of the snow-dusted peaks for a few moments before closing up again. It was a good couple of days to be out, just observing the winter landscape.