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Now, I don't want to offend anyone on the Nevada side of the border, but - IMHO and acknowledging that I'm probably biased - California has the best of the best when it comes to ski resorts. I am willing to admit, though, that we share one of the very best resorts with Nevada, as you'll soon see. But, for now let's take at Lake Tahoe ski resorts in California. By the way, when we speak of ski resorts these days, we're really talking about a whole lot more than snow skiing! Ice skating, cross-country skiing, sledding - these have been around pretty much forever. |
But now we have to include snowboarding, terrain parks, snowshoeing, snow biking, and a myriad other winter sports you may or may not have heard of!
Maybe we should change the names of our ski resorts to winter sports resorts! Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
Anyhow, as they say on Dancing with the Stars - in no particular
order - here's the first group of Lake Tahoe ski resorts: the ones on the California side.
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Alpine Meadows
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If you're looking for good winter sports opportunities without all the hoopla, then Alpine Meadows is the place for you!
Located on Lake Tahoe's North Shore, Alpine Meadows consists of 2400 acres, provides challenging terrain with over 100 runs and 13 lifts, and offers an unpretentious big-mountain experience for winter sports enthusiasts.
At Alpine Meadows, you'll certainly enjoy some of Lake Tahoe's best skiing, but also excellent snowboarding, terrain park features, freestyle terrain, an open boundary that allows access to the backcountry, and Olympic Athlete, Errol Kerr, of the Jamaica Ski Team!
What you won't find at Alpine Meadows is much in the way of lodging and other amenities, so no nightlife, no entertainment, no gambling, no Broadway-style shows - like I said, no hoopla. But there's a rental and repair shop, a day lodge with sundeck, bar, and food, and a sports shop. What more do you need when you're focused on having fun in the snow?
Check here for the latest weather at Alpine Meadows: Snow Report
And don't worry about where to stay. It's not far from Alpine to lots of very nice lodging possibilities to satisfy even the most picky of us!
Kirkwood
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Located in South
Lake Tahoe at Carson Pass, Kirkwood offers some truly unique experiences! With 2300 acres, 12 lifts, and 65 runs, Kirkwood provides plenty of skiing pleasure, as you would expect from a ski resort.
And you'll find terrain parks, snowboarding, backcountry terrain, cross-country skiing, and most of the other usual winter activities.
What sets Kirkwood apart is their Evening Snow Cat Tours and the dogsledding!
If you're looking to combine something different with your snow sports, Kirkwood is a good place to be!
Reserve a spot aboard a snow cat, meet the other riders at
Off the Wall Bar and Grill for pre-ride cocktails and appetizers, then take off in your snow cat to the top of Red Cliffs for a spectacular view of the high Sierras!
Or book a date with Running Creek Dog Sled Rides! You've several choices: the scenic Meadow Loop Ride (a 30 minute tour), The Adventure Ride (ride on the back of the sled), or a Moonlight Tour (barking dogs, shushing sled rails, Mr. Moon, and you).
Check here for the latest weather at Kirkwood: Snow Report
Northstar-at-Tahoe
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With 2900 acres, 17 lifts, 89 runs,and a village of their own, Northstar-at-Tahoe provides the complete family resort experience with something for everyone from tiny tots to Grammy and Gramps!
Take for granted the usual skiing, boarding, etc. Now add a 9000 square foot ice skating rink, making s'mores, tubing down the hill, bungy trampolining, adventure parks for the kids to jib, whoop, bump, and slide...
Plus village crafts and activities, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, telemarking, geocaching for prizes, Meet the Mountain Tours, and the Pool + Spa + Fitness Recreation Center...
Northstar-at-Tahoe offers the complete Lake Tahoe ski resort experience!
Check here for the latest weather at Northstar: Snow Report
Sierra at Tahoe
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One of Lake Tahoe's smaller ski resorts, Sierra at Tahoe is, nevertheless, worthy of recommendation here - especially if you're bringing the kidlettes along!
They have the greatest themed and educational Adventure Zones for kids and their parents - The Bear Cave, Gold Rush, Pony Express, Teepee Town.
Plus skiing, boarding, tubing, snowshoeing, dining, lodging, and
Après Ski entertainment!
But the real draw for me is the Adventure Parks! I'm a sucker for
neat kid-stuff!! Your kidlettes follow the trails through each adventure, experiencing animated encounters with lifelike sights and sounds (for instance, the hibernating bear roars fiercely if they wake him).
They'll find gold in them thar hills, but they'll need to look sharp as Black Bart's on the loose. Galloping along the Pony Express Trail never seemed so real, or they'll wind through the trees and past a Native American village in Teepee Town.
I would have loved that when I was a kid! It's like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, Narnia, and Mickey Mouse Club all rolled into one and brought to life!
Check here for the latest weather at Sierra: Snow Report
Squaw Valley USA
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And now we come to one of the most famous Lake Tahoe ski resorts in the world - Squaw Valley USA; home to the 1960 Winter Olympic Games!
Having recently celebrated their
big "50/60" Anniversary Season - That's 50 years since the 1960 Games were hosted, and 60 years since Squaw Valley first became a ski resort - it's a little slice of history as well!
With 34 lifts, over 170 runs, and 4000 acres, they have good reason to celebrate, and they have lots to offer the winter sports enthusiast!
In addition to traditional skiing and boarding, you'll find several terrain parks, snowshoe tours, cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowtubing, cable car rides, a climbing wall, a swimming lagoon and spa, restaurants and bars, shopping, lodging - everything, in short, that you could possibly want from a Lake Tahoe ski resort.
But you can do something else here that's a real treat! Night Skiing and Riding! Every evening through the season, Squaw Valley USA lights up their 3.2 mile mountain run with a specially-made floodlight system, allowing you to ski a truly unique experience!
Check here for the latest weather at Squaw Valley: Snow Report
You can see why I brag about California's Lake Tahoe ski resorts ! And there's one more to go, after we've taken a look at the Nevada side of the lake.
Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe
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In Nevada you'll find a small, intimate ski lodge that is loved by anyone who's ever spent time there!
Mt. Rose is the smallest of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts, with 8 lifts, 60 runs, and only 1200 acres, but it's not to be dismissed lightly - it's a largely undiscovered gem!
Mt. Rose's special claim to fame is The Chutes (for both skiers and boarders) - 1500 foot vertical and 40-55 degrees; some of the steepest in the country! Skiiers and boarders, traversing The Chutes side-by-side... a great place for experienced riders to take their skills to the next level!
Check here for the latest weather at Mt. Rose: Snow Report
Mt. Rose doesn't have much in the way of amenities, but Reno is only a half hour away!
Heavenly Mountain Resort
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And at last we come to the Lake Tahoe ski resort that's shared by California and Nevada!
Known fondly and simply as Heavenly, this site offers 30 lifts, over 100 runs, and 4800 acres, giving it a real WOW factor!
Offering varied
terrain that spans the South Lake Tahoe area, including the state line between California and Nevada, it includes rolling glades, terrain parks, Adventure Peak, and challenging steeps.
Add the casinos, lodging, dining, nightlife, and entertainment available both onsite and at nearby Stateline, and you've got yourself a real heavenly ski resort experience!
Check here for the latest weather at Heavenly: Snow Report
And Heavenly is home to one of the few ziplines in Northern
California - it's called the Heavenly Flyer
As you can see, there's plenty to do in Lake Tahoe during the wintertime, and the many Lake Tahoe ski resorts will provide you with everything you need to spend a wonderful winter vacation!
The best part is, you can keep coming back - pick a favorite ski
resort to return to year after year; or visit a different one every time. They each offer something unique, so you'll never run out of something new to do!
Come back soon for more about Lake Tahoe - Winter, Summer, Spring, and Fall!
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