The Big Hills:
|
Alpine Meadows |
Located in the next valley south of Squaw Valley (off
Hwy. 89), this is a favorite of regional skiers with its
impeccable grooming, high runs, and renowned ski school.
No accommodations at the base, but motels and inns are
available nearby.
Skiable acres: 2,400
Summit: 8,637 feet -- Vertical: 1,802 feet.
Two terrain parks, 2,400 acres.
Lifts: 13.
Runs: more than 100. Difficulty: 25% beginner, 40%
intermediate, 35% advanced.
Boarding: Children and adult terrain parks, and
halfpipe.
Adult Lift Ticket: $58 Alpine Meadows is owned
by the same company that owns Homewood Mounain Resort,
and the two hills share some programs.
Telephone: (530) 583-4232 or 800-441-4423
Snow Report: (530) 581-8374
Website
|
Heavenly Mountain Resort |
Straddling the California/Nevada line, Heavenly has 26
square miles of terrain, including runs to challenge the
strongest skier, plus milder facilities for kids and
modest adult skiers. All this plus great views of the
lake and surrounding hills. Lifts are available from South Lake Tahoe (California) and Stateline (Nevada), plus the gondola from the casino area of South Lake Tahoe.
High Roller Nightlife Terrain Park, on the World Cup
run next to California Lodge, is open from 5 to 9 p.m.
the Umbrella Bar at the top of the gondola, and a Zaugg
22-foot pipecutter carves the superpipe at the top of the
Powderbowl chair lift.
Details:
Skiable acres: 4.800
Summit: 10,067 feet -- Vertical: 3.500 feet.
Lifts: 30.
Runs: 96. Difficulty: 20% beginner, 45%
intermediate, 35% advanced.
Boarding: "Airport" snowboard park with halfpipe
(Nevada). Halfpipe & terrain features on California
side.
Adult Lift Ticket: $75
Telephone: 800-2-HEAVEN
Snow Report: (775) 586-7000
Off Highway 89, northwest of Tahoe City and
south of Truckee, the ski area has six peaks, spread over
4,000 acres. It's a great place for skiers and non-skiers
alike. The ride on the huge cable car is spectacular, and
at the top is High Camp -- with restaurants, pool,
skating, and much more.
Details:
Skiable acres: 4,000
Summit: 9,050 feet -- Vertical: 2,850 feet.
Lifts: 33.
Runs: More than 100. Difficulty: 25% beginner, 45%
intermediate, 30% advanced.
Boarding: Three terrain parks, one half pipe, 1
superpipe;
Adult Lift Ticket: $73
Telephone: (530) 583-6985. Snow Report: (530)
583-6955
Website
Medium-Sized Ski Areas:
|
Kirkwood Mountain Resort |
Kirkwood's box canyon is one of the most scenic ski
locations in the West, and major improvements are being
made by Telluride Ski Corporation. A ski lodge, the
Mountain Club, offers large rooms, restaurants, and
shops. Kirkwood is located on State Highway 88, southwest
of Lake Tahoe. To get there from South Lake Tahoe, take
Highway 50, or Pioneer Trail, to Myers, and then turn
south onto Highway 89. Turn west on Highway 88 and cross
Carson Pass.
The "Timber Creek Express" the new high-speed quad
lift has replaced the Hole 'N the Wall chair lift. The
Burton Learn-To-Ride instruction center is located at the
Timber Creek beginners area. The "Expedition Kirkwood"
program takes advanced skiers into the backcountry with
certified guides and expert ski patrollers. Powder-cat
tours are available for advanced skiers and riders. New
women-only ski clinics have been added to the instruction
program.
Details:
Skiable acres: 2,300
Summit: 9,800 feet -- Vertical: 2,000 feet.
Lifts: 12.
Runs: More than 65. Difficulty: 15% beginner, 50%
intermediate, 35% advanced.
Boarding:
Adult Lift Ticket: $69
Telephone: (209) 258-6000 -- Snow
Report: (209) 258-3000
Website
|
Mount Rose - Ski Tahoe |
The closest ski resort to Reno, Mt. Rose has the
highest base in the region, and great powder. If your
legs are super-strong, try the Northwest Passage, with
very steep 1,400 vertical feet.
Beginners enjoy the 330-foot surface lift, the Flying
Jenny. Chairs have been added to the two high-speed
six-pack lifts, providing shorter lift lines. Some black
diamond terrain in The Chutes have been smoothed, and
other trails have been re-contoured over the past several
years.
Details:
Skiable acres: 1,200
Summit: 9,700 feet -- Vertical: 1,800 feet.
Lifts: 8.
Runs: 60. Difficulty: 20% beginner, 30%
intermediate, 50% advanced.
Boarding:
Adult Lift Ticket: $62
Telephone - Info & Snow Report:
800-754-7673
or 800-SKI-ROSE (800-754-7673)
Website
|
Sierra at Tahoe |
You'll find this ski area along U.S. Highway 50. It's
owned by the same company that owns Northstar-At-Tahoe.
Most runs are in the forest and are suitable for most
skiers. Dynamite and Castle runs are favored by experts.
The ski area offers a limitless lesson package for $99
for adults with intermediate or advanced ability.
Family adventure zones appeal to young folks. New
rails and boxes have been added to the terrain parks.
"Park stops" now provide benches with tools for adjusting
bindings, and a resting spot. the former Mexican food
spot is now "the Happy Hippie," serving a different
menu.
Details:
Skiable acres: 2,000
Summit: 8,852 feet -- Vertical: 2,212 feet
Lifts: 12
Runs: 46. Difficulty: 25% beginner, 50%
intermediate, 25% advanced
Boarding: Five terrain parks
Adult Lift Ticket: $65
Telephone: (530) 659-7453 -- Snow
Report: (530) 659-7475
Website
|
Sugar Bowl |
The oldest ski area in California, Sugar Bowl offers
all types of skiers a fine experience, with lots of new
features for 1999/2000. It's found at Norden, near other
(smaller) ski operations west of Truckee, via Interstate
80. The snow is deep here, near Donner Summit, and the
runs vary from beginner to very expert.
The Mount Judah Day Lodge includs a bar and
restaurant, restrooms, and medical clinic. Outside,
you'll find 15,000 sq. feet of sun deck with space for
dining or relaxing.
Details:
Skiable acres: 1,500
Summit: 8,383 feet -- Vertical: 1,500 feet
Lifts: 21
Runs: 84. Difficulty: 17% beginner, 45%
intermediate, 38% advanced
Boarding: Two terrain parks
Adult Lift Ticket: $60
Telephone: (530) 426-9000
Snow Report: (530) 426-1111
Website
Smaller Resorts:
|
Boreal Mountain Playground |
Sitting at Donner Summit, on Interstate 80 near
Truckee, Boreal is a smaller operation, attracting the
family crowd. This is a ski area that focusses on
snowboarding, and offers a lot to boarders, as well as
slopes and lessons for beginner and moderate skiers.
All runs now have jumps, rail boxes, and other
boarding features. The Zaugg pipecutter makes an 18.5
foot high superpipe -- 450 feet long.
Details:
Skiable acres: 380
Summit: 7,700 feet -- Vertical: 500 feet
Lifts: 9
Runs: 41. Difficulty: 30% beginner, 55%
intermediate, 15% advanced
Boarding: Seven terrain parks. More and more,
Boreal becomes a major place for boarders.
Adult Lift Ticket: $44
Phone & Snow Reports: (530) 426-3666
Website
|
Diamond Peak |
Located at Incline Village, this ski area offers
medium runs and fine beginners' slopes, plus fine views
of the Tahoe area. More experienced skiers use the
natural glades of Solitude Canyon and Golden Eagle Bowl.
Accommodations are available in Incline Village and
nearby Crystal Bay.
The Snowbomb Terrain Park has rails and boxes,
kickers, and tabletops.
Details:
Skiable acres: 655
Summit: 8,540 feet -- Vertical: 1,840 feet
Lifts: 6
Runs: 30. Difficulty: 18% beginner, 46%
intermediate, 36% advanced
Boarding: Terrain park and features, plus
freestyle clinics.
Adult Lift Ticket: $48
Telephone: (775) 832-1177 -- Snow Report: (775) 831-3211
Website
|
Homewood Mountain Resort |
This family-oriented ski area is located on the west
shore of Lake Tahoe, on State Highway 89. The slopes are
moderate and the lake and mountain views are wonderful.
The runs lie in the trees of the Tahoe National
Forest.
A terrain park has been built off the Quail Chair,
with jumps, rails, and boxes. Improvements to the main
lodge .
Details:
Skiable acres: 1,260
Summit: 7,880 feet -- Vertical: 1,650 feet
Lifts: 7
Runs: 60. Difficulty: 15% beginner, 50%
intermediate, 35% advanced
Boarding: "Shredwood Forest" terrain park, on
1,260 acres plus halfpipe.
Adult Lift Ticket: $48
Telephone: (530) 525-2992 -- Snow
Report: (530) 525-2900
Website
|
Donner Ski Ranch |
Located off Interstate 80, this is another smaller ski
area that serves snowboarders well, along with offering
family skiing. The management makes sure that everyone is
kept busy, with guided tours, and an extensive lessons
program, especially for kids.
Details:
Skiable acres: 460
Summit: 7.780 feet -- Vertical: 750 feet
Lifts: 6
Runs: 52. Difficulty: 25% beginner, 50%
intermediate, 25% advanced
Boarding: Terrain parks and a halfpipe.
Adult Lift Ticket: $38
Telephone: (530) 426-3635 (phone & snow
reports)
Website
|
Granlibakken |
This is a small and peaceful hill, at Tahoe City,
perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers. The ski
hill, instruction facilities and snack bar are open
Friday through Sunday and daily during the Christmas
Holidays. The rental shop and snow play area are open
daily. Granlibakken Conference Center rooms are available
to skiers throughout the winter.
Details:
Skiable acres: 10
Summit:6,500 feet -- Vertical: 300 feet
Lifts: 2
Runs: 1. Difficulty: 50% beginner, 50%
intermediate, 0% advanced
Features: 1 groomed run, snow play area, cross-country
skiing and snowshoe trails, lodging and lift ticket
p[ackages.
Adult Lift Ticket: $21
Telephone: (530) 587-9444 -- Snow Report: (530)
587-9494
Website
|
Soda Springs |
Offering both downhill and cross-country skiing, Soda
Springs is an old-fashioned ski area (founded by Walt
Disney), offering modest vertical height, and
family-oriented activities including tubing. Parents are
permitted to trade a single ticket. You'll find it along
Interstate 80, west of the other ski areas on the I-80
corridor.
Planet Kids (is a children's learning area
featuring a "magic carpet" surface lift to transport
young skiers up the mild slope. There's also a "tubing
carousel" for kids under 42 inches in height, and also
mini snowmobiles.
Details:
Skiable acres: 200
Summit: 7,325 feet -- Vertical: 625 feet
Lifts: 4
Runs: 16. Difficulty: 30% beginner, 50%
intermediate, 20% advanced
Adult Lift Ticket: $25
Telephone: (530) 426-1010
Snow Report: (530) 426-3666
Website:
|
Tahoe Donner |
Located north of Interstate 80, west of Truckee, this
modest but friendly ski area is also a boarding center,
plus holding midweek Telemark clinics. The resort focuses
on providing lessons for children and adult
beginners.
Details:
Skiable acres: 120
Summit: 7,350 feet -- Vertical: 600 feet
Lifts: 2
Runs: 14. Difficulty: 40% beginner, 60%
intermediate,
0% advanced
Adult Lift Ticket: $35
Telephone: (530) 587-9444 -- Snow Report: (530)
587-9494
Website
For cross-country ski areas, go to the Cross-Country
Page
For the Weekly Snow Report, Go
here.
Skiing
Tahoe
