Nestled amidst the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is a mecca for winter sports enthusiasts, offering some of the most exceptional skiing experiences in the United States. With a unique blend of world-class ski resorts, abundant snowfall, and breathtaking alpine scenery, Lake Tahoe has become an iconic destination for skiers and snowboarders. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a first-time visitor, the region’s diverse terrain, legendary snow quality, and vibrant après-ski scene promise an unforgettable winter adventure.
Explore the thrilling world of Lake Tahoe’s skiing. Lake Tahoe’s south shore delivers some of the best skiing and snowboarding experiences. Heavenly Mountain Resort offers long, groomed trails, Kirkwood Mountain Resort provides cliff and cornice drops, and Sierra-at-Tahoe excels in terrain parks.
Heavenly Mountain Resort
Heavenly Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe is one of North America’s top 10 largest resorts, offering a vast expanse of over 4,800 acres with a 3,500-foot vertical. It caters to all skiing preferences, from easy runs to challenging chutes in Mott and Killebrew canyons and a pristine alpine bowl. The Toyota Air and Après event, set for March 1-3, will feature impressive jumps and gravity-defying tricks. For a different experience, Brews and Views gatherings at Lakeview Lodge offer breathtaking Lake Tahoe vistas, culinary delights, music, and local beer tastings. Plus, there is a new reservation-based parking system for winter 2023/2024 to streamline your visit, as Heavenly Mountain plans to open on November 17th, weather permitting.
If you’re visiting, don’t forget to catch the Heavenly Holidays Family Festival, running daily from November 24 through December 31, 2023, which offers festive delights for all ages, including daily tree lighting, enchanting ice sculptures, Breakfast with Santa, meet-and-greets with beloved Disney Characters, and a lively New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring fireworks show with live music.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Located 35 miles from South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood is a remote gem hidden within a horseshoe canyon. Here, the unique interplay of climate and geography crafts one of North America’s most genuine big-mountain skiing experiences. Kirkwood beckons to adventure seekers who crave deep snow and steep terrain. As the proud host of the Freeride World Tour, the resort offers diverse and challenging inbounds terrain, from cornices to couloirs and wide-open bowls to challenging chutes. With 2,300 acres of mountain to explore, Kirkwood provides a constant challenge for skiers and riders from dawn to dusk. If you yearn for abundant, pristine snow, Kirkwood delivers, averaging over 600 inches annually, renowned for its light, dry quality and deep accumulations. Kirkwood Mountain is set to start its lifts on December 1st, weather permitting. Plus, the My Epic App streamlines access with mobile passes and lift tickets, allowing you to skip the ticket window.
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Sierra-at-Tahoe also offers expansive bowl skiing for ski enthusiasts. In an unusual twist, California’s Sierra-at-Tahoe found an opportunity in adversity when the Caldor fire ravaged 80% of the mountain’s terrain in 2021. What initially seemed like a setback led to a surprising and positive outcome. Removing damaged trees has significantly expanded Sierra-at-Tahoe’s offerings, resulting in new trails and untouched skiing areas for the upcoming 2023-24 ski season. Among these changes, the beloved West Bowl, extensively cleared, has transformed into a genuine alpine bowl skiing and snowboarding paradise. With 2,000 acres and 2,212 vertical feet of skiable terrain, Sierra offers the freedom to explore and enjoy the mountain on your terms. Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort plans to start its lifts on December 2nd, weather permitting.
