Snow Sport activities in Lake Tahoe
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Heavenly Ski Resort
This gem, 5 miles south of Tahoe City, proves that bigger isn't always better. Locals and in-the-know visitors cherish the awesome lake views, laid-back ambience, smaller crowds, tree-lined slopes and open bowls (including the excellent but expert 'Quail Face'). Families love the wide, gentle slopes and free kids' tickets. This is also the best place to ski during stormy weather. Stats: 8 lifts, 1650 vertical ft, 60 runs.
The 'mother' of all Tahoe mountains boasts the most acreage, the longest run and the biggest vertical drop in the western USA. Follow the sun by skiing on the Nevada side in the morning, moving to the California side in the afternoon. Views of the lake…
reviewed
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Homewood Ski Resort
This gem, 5 miles south of Tahoe City, proves that bigger isn't always better. Locals and in-the-know visitors cherish the awesome lake views, laid-back ambience, smaller crowds, tree-lined slopes and open bowls (including the excellent but expert 'Quail Face'). Families love the wide, gentle slopes and free kids' tickets. This is also the best place to ski during stormy weather. Stats: 8 lifts, 1650 vertical ft, 60 runs.
The 'mother' of all Tahoe mountains boasts the most acreage, the longest run and the biggest vertical drop in the western USA. Follow the sun by skiing on the Nevada side in the morning, moving to the California side in the afternoon. Views of the lake…
reviewed
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Northstar-at-Tahoe Ski Resort
This hugely popular resort, 6 miles south of I-80, has great intermediate terrain, although advanced and expert skiers can look for challenges on the back of the mountain. Recent additions include the slick Village Plaza and a kids' terrain park. Its relatively sheltered location makes it the second-best choice after Homewood when it's snowing. Weekends get superbusy. Stats: 17 lifts, 2280 vertical ft, 70 runs.
reviewed
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Kirkwood Ski Resort
Off-the-beaten-path Kirkwood, set in a high-elevation valley, gets great snow and holds it longer than any other Tahoe resort. It has stellar tree-skiing, gullies and chutes. Novice out-of-bounds skiers should check out the backcountry safety-skills clinics. Stats: 12 lifts, 2000 vertical ft, 68 runs. It's 35 miles southwest of South Lake Tahoe via Hwy 89.
reviewed
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Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Resort
Cross-country aficionados won't want to pass up a spin around North America's largest resort with its mind-boggling 330km of groomed track crisscrossing some 9000 acres of terrain on 90 trails. It has great skating lanes and diagonal stride tracks and also welcomes telemark skiers and snowshoeing fans. Consider overnighting at one of its two cozy lodges.
reviewed
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Boreal Ski Resort
Boreal is fun for newbies and intermediate skiers, and is traditionally the first resort to open in the Tahoe area. Boarders have eight terrain parks (the most among Tahoe resorts) and a competition-level superpipe to play with. This is also the only area resort besides Squaw offering night skiing. Stats: nine lifts, 500 vertical ft, 41 runs.
reviewed
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Mt Rose Ski Resort
Mt Rose has Tahoe's highest base elevation (8260ft) and offers good snow conditions well into spring. The newly opened expert terrain (the Chutes) delivers some screamers along its 15 north-facing steeps. Crowds aren't too bad, but the mountain's exposure means it gets hammered in a storm. Stats: six lifts, 1440 vertical ft, 43 runs.
reviewed
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Tahoe Donner Cross-Country Ski Resort
Occupying 4800 acres of forest north of Truckee, this is lovely and varied terrain with 113km of groomed tracks covering three track systems and 48 trails. The most beautiful area is the secluded Euer Valley, where a warming hut serves foods on weekends. A 2.5km loop stays open for night skiing.
reviewed
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Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort
Sierra, 12 miles west of South Lake Tahoe, is snowboarding central with five raging terrain parks and a 17ft superpipe. A great beginners' run meanders gently for 2.5 miles from the summit, but there are also gnarly steeps and chutes for speed demons. Stats: 12 lifts, 2212 vertical ft, 46 runs.
reviewed
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Diamond Peak Ski Resort
This midsize mountain is a good place to learn, but experts might get bored quickly. Boarders can romp around the new and improved Snowbomb SuperPark. From the top you'll have a 360-degree panorama of desert, peaks and lake. Stats: six lifts, 1840 vertical ft, 30 runs.
reviewed
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Spooner Lake Cross-Country Ski Resort
This area, near junction of Hwys 28 & 50, offers some of the prettiest trails - some around the lake, some through aspen and pine forest and some through high country with fabulous views. Altogether there are 80km for all levels of expertise and fitness.
reviewed
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Donner Ski Ranch
Generations of skiers have enjoyed this itty-bitty mom-and-pop resort. It's a great place to teach your kids how to ski or for beginners to build their skills. Stats: six lifts, 750 vertical ft, 52 runs. It's 3.5 miles east on Donner Pass Rd.
reviewed
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Clair Tappaan Lodge Cross-Country Ski Resort
You can ski right out the door if you're staying at this rustic mountain lodge on Donner Summit, near Truckee. Its 12km of groomed and tracked trails are great for beginners and intermediate skiers and connect to miles of backcountry skiing.
reviewed
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Soda Springs Ski Resort
This cute little resort is a winner with kids. They can snow-tube, ride around in pint-sized snowmobiles or try the Kids X Park. Stats: two lifts, 650 vertical ft, 16 runs.
reviewed
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Tahoe Donner Ski Resort
Small, low-key and low-tech, Tahoe Donner is a darling resort with family-friendly beginner and intermediate runs only. Stats: three lifts, 600 vertical ft, 14 runs.
reviewed