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Lake Tahoe Skiing:

Tahoe Ski Reviews

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World famous ski-coach "Crazy Clint" has filled out site with opinions galore on Lake Tahoe ski resorts for downhill skiing enthusiaists. Check out his thoughts on all the major ski resorts including acreage; lifts; fun; sports; and partying. Lake Tahoe ski resort reviews are here to make your trip to the Reno / Lake Tahoe area awesome!!

Squaw Valley USA: http://www.squaw.com

most steep/extreme terrain available in Tahoe
crowded, or very crowded at times
2^nd biggest (acreage) after Heavenly
most bowl skiing in Tahoe (but not many open tree runs)
night skiing available, but a pain in the butt riding the tram
usually open ‘til end of May
$62 / $20 night skiing
some, but not much lake view
WEST side of lake; 1:10 hr from Reno

Heavenly Valley: http://skiheavenly.com

great lake views, lots of intermediate groomed runs
some steeps in Mott &Killebrew canyons
frequently very crowded on main lifts – long traverses to/from CA to NV side
some nice hidden tree patches on lower NV side
biggest in Tahoe area (by acreage)
favorite bump run in Tahoe (under Comet chair)
decent terrain park w/ big/long kickers
$65 / $68 holiday
SOUTHEAST side of lake; 1:15 from Reno (So. Lake Tahoe town=FUN)

Kirkwood: http://kirkwood.com

most snow in Tahoe, & fewer crowds so it stays fresh longer
2^nd most extreme terrain behind Squaw (maybe even tied for 1^st)
fun valleys on front side/black diamond playground terrain
longest drive from Reno, but last ½ hour is beautiful if roads are clear
$59 / $62 holiday
no lake view
SOUTH of lake, 1:30 hr from Reno

Alpine Meadows: http://skialpine.com

~3^rd largest, good runs, good price
plenty of steeps
crowded, or very crowded at times
(others would probably rank Alpine higher on the list)
usually open ‘til end of May
$39 / $49 holiday
some, but not much lake view
WEST side of lake, 1:10 hr from Reno

Mt Rose: http://skimtrose.com

closest resort to Reno (½ hour door-to-door)
small, with a “locals resort” feel
usually best snow conditions (highest base elevation & less traffic)
good, open glades skiing
almost always less crowded than other resorts
new steep double black terrain opened this year; “The Chutes”
(non-Reno locals would rank this lower)
$52 / various weekday discounts
some, but not much lake view
NORTHEAST, ½ hour from Reno

Sugarbowl: http://sugarbowl.com

great snow, best of any resort with storms from the west
often socked in w/ clouds – tough visibility
some super-steep terrain (Palisades)
$59
no lake view
NORTHWEST, 1:10 hr from Reno

Northstar: http://www.northstarattahoe.com

nicknamed “Flatstar” but some good/steep terrain on new Lookout Mtn & the backside
frequently very crowded on main/front lifts – but if you ski blacks, can avoid the lift lines by staying on the Lookout Mtn chair
some good tree skiing
2^nd closest resort to Reno (45 min)
2^nd favorite bump run in Tahoe (Rapids, under the backside chair)
decent terrain park w/ big/long kickers
$61
very little lake view
NORTH, ¾ hr from Reno

Homewood: http://www.skihomewood.com

small, no high speed lifts
lowest elevation of any resort, snow & coverage aren’t as good
absolutely the BEST panoramic lake view of any resort (If you’re here for the views/pictures, then it’s is a must-ski. But, go on sunny day – or the lake pics will be disappointingly gray.)
$44 / $25 weekdays
WEST- central, 1:20 hr from Reno

Sierra-at-Tahoe: http://www.sierraattahoe.com

bigger area & faster lifts than Homewood, but a long drive from Reno
crowded, or very crowded at times, but some good tree skiing
Tied for longest drive from Reno
$57 / $59 holidays
no lake view
SOUTH of lake, 1:30 hr from Reno

Diamond Peak: http://diamondpeak.com

small, 1 new high speed lift
lower elevation, snow isn’t as good as others
$44 / $30 weekdays w/ another resort’s pass
very good lake view
NORTH, ¾ hr from Reno

Boreal: http://skiboreal.com

small, but a couple high speed lifts
snowboard haven
only night skiing in Tahoe (besides Squaw’s pain-in-the-butt tram)
$36 / $22 night skiing
no lake view
NORTHWEST, 1 hr from Reno

The rest of the Tahoe resorts are too small to bother with. In fact, I haven’t even skied them in the 6 years I’ve been here . . . but I guess I better get around to it “one of these days”. Just in case you’re teaching your grandmother to ski over the weekend; here they are:

Soda Springs: ($25) http://skisodasprings.com
Donner Ski Ranch: ($29) http://www.donnerskiranch.com
Granlibakken: ($20) http://granlibakken.com/activities/ski-snow_play.php

Mammoth: http://mammothmountain.com

Not a “Tahoe area resort”, but definitely worth mentioning
huge, with awesome terrain, lots of high speed lifts
crowded, or very crowded at times w/ LA refugees
huge terrain park & kickers (bigger than any in Tahoe)
$63
often open into June!! (usually 2 weeks longer than the last few Tahoe resorts)
Central California, 3 ½ hours SOUTH of Reno (& ahhhhhh… no lake view)

North Lake Tahoe Resorts:

One of Tahoe's best resorts, located about 15 minutes South of Truckee. Not as extreme as Squaw, but located right next to Squaw. The two resorts may connect in the future. The staff has a lot less "attitude" than Squaw; Alpine is more of a locals place. A very large resort with good facilities and a casual atmosphere. Strongly recommended. Ticket price is about $48.

One of Tahoe's largest, best, and most aggressive ski resorts. The staff here has a bit of an attitude and Squaw tends to attract more skillful skiers. The resort features many comfortable and convenient condo's and restaurants including a mid-mountain pool & ice rink. Facilities are excellent at Squaw-- the winter Olympics were once held here. Located about 15 minutes south of Truckee. Highly recommended. Ticket price is about $48.

Incline Village (Mount Rose) Resorts:

Mount Rose is a Reno locals secret. It's inconvenient from the Truckee area but VERY convenient from Reno. That is as long as it's not snowing. Mount Rose is about 25 miles southwest of Reno up a very steep & winding mountain road. That said, this is a no hassle, cheaper place where you can have a lot of fun. It also has the highest base elevation of ANY Tahoe resort. The drawback is it doesn't have a gazillion different ski runs. Ticket prices are about $38. Recommended and a true bargain, especially when combined with lodging values in Reno....