Alpine Skiing in Lake Tahoe

Tahoe's Best Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Guide

The Lake Tahoe Ski Season

In general, Thanksgiving is the traditional opening day in Lake Tahoe for alpine skiing and snowboarding. Resort openings may be earlier or later depending upon Mother Nature. Regardless of opening dates, one thing is always for sure in Lake Tahoe - snow, snow and more snow. Each year, resorts boast of bases in excess of 100 inches and often over 200 inches. With that kind of snow and the legendary Tahoe sunshine, it's no wonder Lake Tahoe is considered one of the top winter destinations in the world!

For Lake Tahoe Weather, please see our weather page ...
For Lake Tahoe Ski Reports and up to the minute ski conditions, please see our ski reports page ...

Hotels

3 Peaks Resort & Beach Club

5

1 Review

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Forest Suites Resort at Heavenly Village

4.25

1 Review

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Stardust Tahoe

4.25

1 Review

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Lake Tahoe Ski Areas

Alpine Meadows

TERRAIN: 2,000 acres - 25% Beginner; 40% More Difficult; 35% Most Difficult/Expert, 100+ trails. Snowmaking on 10 of 12 lifts.
LIFTS: 1 high-speed 6 passenger chair, 1 high-speed quad, 2 triples, 7 doubles, 1 surface.
ELEVATION: Summit 8,637’; Base 6,835’; Vertical Drop 1,800’; Longest Run: 2.5 miles.
SCHOOL: Ski & snowboard instruction for adults and children, Tahoe Adaptive Ski School for physically and mentally challenged skiers. Kids Camp for ages 6-12, Snow School for ages 4-6.
AMENITIES: Rental and repair shop, day lodge with large sundeck, restaurant/cocktail lounge, cafeteria, bar, on-mountain snack bar, boulangerie, mid-mountain deli, sport shop.
SHUTTLE: Please call for schedule.
LOCATION: 6 miles northwest of Tahoe City, CA, on Hwy. 89, P. O. Box 5279, Tahoe City, CA 96145
INFO: (800)-441-4423, (530) 583-4232 SNOW PHONE: (530) 581-8374

Boreal

Average Snowfall 400 in. (1,016 cm)
Top Elevation 7,700 ft. (2,347 m)
Base Elevation 7,200 ft. (2,195 m)
Vertical Rise 500 ft. (152 m)
Ride able Acres 380
Lifts 2 quads, 3 triple, 4 doubles
Trails 41
Longest Run 1 mile (1.6 km)
Terrain 30% beginner, 55% intermediate, 15% advanced
Lanes for sledding
Snowmaking
75-80% terrain coverage

Diamond Peak

TERRAIN: 18% Beginner;46% Intermediate; 36% Advanced on 655 skiable acres with 30 runs plus open glades and tree skiing
VERTICAL: 1,840’, 4TH LONGEST AT Lake Tahoe; Longest Run: 2.5 miles.
Superpipe!
AMENITIES: Full-facility Base Lodge; Rental/Repair shop; Child Ski Center, Child Care; Ski School; Free ski shuttles. On-the-Mountain lake views, BBQ’s and more; One mile from the slopes: 24 hour Nevada-style night life, restaurants, shopping, recreation/fitness center and more.
X- COUNTRY: Diamond Peak Cross Country & Snow Shoe Center.
LOCATION: 1210 Ski Way, Incline Village, Nevada 89451
INFO: (702) 831-3249 (24-hour) SNOW PHONE: (702) 831-3211 (24-hour)

Donner Ski Ranch

LOCATION: Norden, California. Off Interstate 80, 45 miles west of Reno, Nevada; 10 miles west of Truckee, California; 85 miles east of Sacramento, California.
SEASON: Mid-November through mid-May. Hours of operation are 9:00am to 4:00pm Sunday through Saturday
BASE ELEVATION: 7031 Feet.
VERTICAL RISE: 750 feet
ANNUAL SNOWFALL: 33 feet average
TERRAIN: 435 acres - 25% Beginner, 50% Intermediate, 25% Advanced.
LIFTS: One Triple Chairlift and Five Double Chairlifts
SKI SCHOOL: Members of the Professional Ski Instructors of America. We offer instruction in Alpine Skiing, Telemark Skiing, and Snowboarding.
BASE FACILITIES: Lodge which includes a cafeteria, cocktail lounge, ski shop, rental shop, retail shop, personal lockers, and a complete Ski Patrol

Heavenly

84 Runs
29 Lifts: 1 Eight-passenger Gondola, 1 Arial Tramway, 1 High-speed Six-passenger, 5 High-speed Quads, 8 Triple Chairs, 5 Double Chairs, 6 Surface Lifts, 2 Magic Carpet (Children's Ski School)
10,040 feet Top Lift Access Elevation - Tahoe's Highest Mountain
Base Elevation: CA 6,540 feet, NV 7,200 feet
4,800 skiable acres
3,500 feet vertical drop - The West Coast's Longest Vertical
Longest mountain descent: 5.5 miles
Snowmaking to cover 69% of trails (top to bottom)
Terrain: 20% easier, 45% more difficult, 35% most difficult
Snowboarding available on the entire resort
On Mountain Lodges: four base lodges and four on-mountain facilities
6 High Altitude Dining

Homewood

TERRAIN: 15% Beginner; 50% Intermediate; 35% Advanced; Double Black Diamond skiing on Quail Face; Skiable Acres 1,260.
LIFTS: 1 quad chair, 2 triple chairs, 1 double chair, 4 surface lifts.
SCHOOL: Daily instruction in skiing and snowboarding, including beginner lesson and rental packages. Special women’s snowboarding clinics
CHILDREN: Homewood Children’s Center offers Snowstars and Honeybear Ski School and licensed Child Care for children ages 2 and up.
AMENITIES: Two lodges, one sun-deck lodge; Rental Shop with full ski and snowboard packages; retail shop.
LOCATION: On Hwy. 89, 6 miles south of Tahoe City, 5145 West Lake Blvd., P. O. Box 165, Homewood, CA 96141
INFO: (530) 525-2992 SNOW PHONE: (530) 525-2900

Kirkwood

65+ Runs, 12 Lifts: Operating 9am to 4pm, Lodge Open 7:30am to 7pm
Lifts: 1 Express Quad Chair, 1 Quad, 7 Triple, 1 Double & 2 Surface Lifts
Uphill Capacity: 17,905 skier per hour
2,300 Skiable Acres
Top Elevation 9,800'
Base Elevation 7,800'
Vertical Rise 2,000'
Longest Run 2ï¿½ miles
Terrain: 15% beginner, 50% intermediate, 20% advanced, 15% expert
Snowmaking: Top to bottom coverage on four runs
Facilities & Resort Services: Two Day Lodges, Six Bars & Restaurants, Two Cafeterias, Three Ski Shops, Gift Shop, Snowboard Center, Children's Center, Day Care Center, Family Play Area, Post Office, General Store, Three Rental Shops, Performance Center/Repair Shop, Ski Shuttle, Service Center, Medical Clinic, Seven Conference Rooms, Cross Country Skiing Facilities, Real Estate Offices, Sharp Shooters Photography, Sleigh Rides.
Woody's Family Fun Zone, Snowshoeing, Sleigh Rides, Dog Sled Rides, The Mountain Club Spa, Massage Services, Snowmobiling, Ice Fishing and Grover Hot Springs.

Things to Do

	Activity Info
	Tahoe Sport Fishing South Shore (CA) Details 4.125 2 Reviews Fantastically Fun Lake Tahoe Fishing Charters Address: 900 Ski Run Blvd Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
	Tributary Whitewater Rafting Tours Truckee / Donner Details 0 0 Reviews All Summer Rafting close to Lake Tahoe! Address: 10068 Hirschdale Rd. Truckee, CA 96161
	SWA Watersports North Shore (NV) / Incline & Crystal Bay Details 5 4 Reviews Teaching You To Ride Like A Champ! Open seasonally. Address: P.O. Box 4267 Incline Village, NV 89450

Mt. Rose

Base Elevation: 8,260 ft. (Tahoe's Highest)
Summit: 9,700 ft.
Trails: 43
Terrain: 30% beginner (Green)
30% intermediate (Blue)
40% advanced (Black)
Longest Run: 2.5 miles
Terrain Parks: 2
Badlands & Double Down (both located in East Bowl)
Chairlifts:
- 1 "Six Pack" high-speed, detachable chair
- 2 Quad chairs (fixed grip)
- 2 Triple chairs (fixed grip)
- 1 Surface Lift (New Wonder Carpet)
- Total uphill lift capacity = 11,000 skiers per hour
Average Snowfall: 400 inches (34 feet!)
Snowmaking: 28% coverage (top to bottom)
Year Opened: 1964
Location: North Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose Hwy - SR 431 ( See Locator Map)
- 11 Mi. Lake Tahoe's North Shore
- 22 Mi. from Reno/Tahoe Airport
- 25 Mi. from Downtown Reno

Northstar-at-Tahoe

Terrain
- Skiable Acres/Hectares 2,420/979
- Trails 70
- Halfpipes 2
- Longest run 2.9 miles/4.7 km
Trails and Classification
- Beginner 25%
- Intermediate 50%
- Advanced 25%
- Cross-Country 50 km
- Total Lifts 15
- 11 chairs, 1 Gondola and 3 surface lifts. Express Lifts 6
- Vertical Drop 2,280 ft/695 m
- Percentage of Snowmaking Runs 50%
Mountain Facts
- Annual snowfall 350 in/9 m
- Base Elevation 6,330 ft/1929 m
- Mid-mountain Elevation 6,800 ft/2073 m
- Summit Elevation 8,610 ft/2624 m
On-site Food and Lodging
- Restaurants 5
- Lodging (on-site) 263 units
LOCATION: Hwy. 267 (6 miles) between Truckee and No. Lake Tahoe, P. O. Box 129, Truckee, CA 96160
INFO: (530) 562-1010 SNOW PHONE: (530) 562-1330 (24 hour)

Sierra-at-Tahoe

2,000 Acres
2,212' Vertical Rise
8,852' Top Elevation
6,640' Bottom Elevation
46 Slopes and Trails
25% Easier
50% More Difficult
25% Most Difficult
2 Terrain Parks (ski and snowboard)
2 Half Pipes (1 "regular" pipe with 9 foot walls and 1 SuperPipe with 17 foot walls
Longest run: 2.5 miles; Sugar n' Spice
Average Annual Snowfall 480"
Lift System
- 3 Dopplemayr express quads
- 1 Triple chair
- 5 Double chairs
- 1 "Magic Carpet" children's surface lift
- 1 Tubing surface tow
- 1 Children's surface tow
Season Mid November through mid April (Based on natural snowfall)
Operating Hours
- Weekends, holidays: 8:30am-4:00pm
- Weekdays: 9:00am-4:00pm
- Tubing hours: 11am - 4pm, 7 days a week (snow and weather conditions permitting)

Soda Springs

2 Lifts, 16 Runs, 2 Tubing tows
6,700 feet base elevation
7,325 feet summit elevation
652 feet vertical drop
Terrain: 30% beginner, 50% intermediate, 20% advanced
Snowboards
Lifts open daily 9am - 4:30pm (Thanksgiving through Easter)
Snow tubing open daily 11am - 4pm

Squaw Valley USA

TERRAIN: 4,000 acres – 25% Beg., 45% Int., 30% Adv.; 6,200’ base elevation, 9,050’ summit, 2,850’ vertical drop, 360 acres of snowmaking, longest run is 3 miles. Open bowl trails similar to the European Alps.
LIFTS: 1 cable car, 1 super gondola, 4 high speed quads, 1 fixed quad, 9 triples, 10 doubles, 3 surface, 1 pulse lift.
SCHOOL: Ski, snowboard and telemark instruction; specialty women’s and advanced clinics, beginner packages. Children’s World - Junior Mountain 7-12, Snow School 4-6, Toddler Care 2-3.
AMENITIES: Over 30 restaurants and bars, and a year-round recreation complex at the top of the mountain (High Camp).
LOCATION: 1960 Squaw Valley Rd., P. O. Box 2007, Olympic Valley, CA . 96146
INFO: (800) 545-4350 SNOW PHONE: (530) 483-6955, (24 hour)

Sugar Bowl

TERRAIN: 1,500 ACRES, 17% Beginner, 43% Intermediate, 40% Advanced/Expert.
LIFTS: 2 express quads, 2 fixed grip quads, 4 doubles, 2 surface lifts, 1 gondola, 1 access double.
ELEVATION: Summit 8,383; Base 6,883; Vertical Drop 1,500’; Longest Run 3 miles.
SCHOOL: Mountain Sports Learn Center; personalized and group instruction offered daily for all levels of skiing and snowboarding. PSIA member certified school. Children’s Services: Summit Adventure Camp, all day children’s programs and on-site child care.
AMENITIES: Historic lodging, fine dining, 2 cafeterias, deli, 2 bars and 2 on-site Sugar Bowl Ski & Sports shops with rentals.
LOCATION: 10 miles west of Truckee, and 45 miles west of Reno on I-80, at the Norden exit, P. O. Box 5, Norden, CA 95724
INFO: (530) 426-9000 SNOW PHONE: (530) 426-1111

Tahoe Donner

Lifts:
- 1 quad chair
- 1 double chair
- 1 surface tow
- 1 carpet
Terrain Rating
- 60% Intermediate
- 40% novice
Total Runs:14
Skiable Acres:120
Lift Operating Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ticket Window Hours: 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Rental Shop Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Food & Beverage
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Lounge
- Snack Bar

Restaurants

	Restaurant Info
	Cascades at Squaw Creek Squaw Valley Price Range: Details Cascades at Squaw Creek Offers Gourmet Breakfast And Dinner Buffets Address: 400 Squaw Creek Road Olympic Valley, CA 96146
	Mountain Pizzeria Squaw Valley Price Range: Details Visit Mountain Pizzeria at Squaw Creek for Delicious Italian Cuisine Address: 400 Squaw Creek Rd Olympic Valley, CA 96146
	Six Peaks Grille Squaw Valley Price Range: Details Six Peaks Grille at Squaw Creek Is A Lake Tahoe Favorite for Fine Dining Address: 400 Squaw Creek Rd Olympic Valley, CA 96146