Heavenly Ski Resort Guide
Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe could not have a more incredible location. Divided across the states of California and Nevada, Ski Heavenly has panoramic views of Lake Tahoe in one direction and Nevada desert vistas in the other. A snowboarding trip to Heavenly is more than just incredible views though with Heavenly offering everything from steep tree-skiing, to two terrain parks, and some great family fun. This Heavenly Mountain ski resort review aims to give you all the information to make the best out of your trip to Heavenly.
HEAVENLY FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving at Heavenly after the long drive from San Francisco I headed straight up for an afternoon of exploration. Taking the gondola from the Heavenly village on the California side I was first struck by stunning views across Lake Tahoe. I don’t think it is over the top to say this may just be the prettiest place I have ever snowboarded. Certainly, it would be up there with Cerro Catedral, Argentina, and the views from Coronet Peak in Queenstown. At the top of the gondola, there is a small beginner area and a lodge, but a quick ride up the Tamarack Express provides you with a dilemma.. to stay in California or head over to the Nevada side. Wherever you go you will be able to find; awesome tree runs, big bump lines, great groomers, and of course insane views!
HEAVENLY SKI AREA
Heavenly is the largest ski area in Lake Tahoe, around 800 acres larger than the popular Squaw Valley Resort. The amount of terrain is a fantastic pull for skiers and snowboarders to Heavenly, especially given how it serves all abilities of skiers and snowboarders.
There are dedicated beginner areas at both the California Lodge and the Tamarack Lodge which are both meeting places for the ski school. The slopes at Heavenly are particularly suited to intermediates who will make the most of the groomed terrain on both California and Heavenly side. The groomers at Heavenly are exceptional with High Five being a particular favorite.
If you want to avoid the crowds then the Nevada side certainly sees less traffic. Looking for more challenging terrain? You will not be disappointed! Heavenly has an expanse of exciting tree runs across the resort with Mott Canyon offering steep skiing in bounds. At Heavenly you will also find a lot of moguls and it seems that Heavenly skiers like their bumps big.
An iconic run down Gunbarrel at the end of the day will ensure the best views as well as sore legs! Heavenly ski resort offers the most vertical drop as well as the largest ski area in Lake Tahoe. Heavenly also has two terrain parks, both on the California side of the resort. You will find that the Groove and Remix Parks cater to different abilities but both are excellent. Groove Park has entry-level through to medium size features and is served by its own chairlift. Remix Park is home to the large jumps and rails.
LIFTS AT HEAVENLY
Heavenly ski resort has a modern system of 24 lifts across the resort, but they are not without fault. Let’s start with the positives, you have a choice of where you would like to access the mountain with three main uplift sites. California Lodge offers two options for uplifting, a tram and the Gunbarrel chairlift both take you to the top of Patsy’s run so you can start your day. Alternatively, you can take the gondola from Heavenly village which rises over 1000m to the Tamarack Lodge. If you are looking for a quieter start to your day consider heading to Nevada and Stagecoach lodge where you can uplift on the Stagecoach Express chair. Nevada side in general sees fewer crowds.
Once on the mountain, the modern lift system mainly consists of fast quad or six-seater chairs, although beware of the bottleneck at Sky Deck, with Sky and Canyon chairs having serious crowding on weekends.
One major negative about the lift system at Heavenly is that key chairs are prone to wind closures. This is common across many ski resorts but sadly it can really affect your day at Heavenly. If you park on the California side and ski over to Nevada before Dipper and Comet chairs close, you can then find yourself stranded across the state line.
If this occurs, Heavenly does not run its bus service between the two states so you could end up needing to pay for a taxi. The best advice is to pay attention to the weather and if in doubt stay on the side you park.
HEAVENLY SNOW RECORD
Heavenly ski resort receives an average of 9m snowfall throughout its winter season, which is plenty to keep the fun rolling well into April. Helped by its elevation and extensive snowmaking Heavenly does a pretty good job of maintaining snow quality throughout the season.
SEASON DATES
The ski season at Heavenly runs from late November until the third week of April with snow permitting. Nearby Squaw does have longer season dates with skiing possible into July!
HEAVENLY LIFT TICKETS
Buying a day pass for Heavenly isn’t cheap with prices above $100 per day. If you intend to ski at Heavenly book your multi-day pass in advance of your trip to secure a discount. I visited Heavenly as an Epic Pass Holder and found being an Epic Pass holder to be an affordable way to ski across many resorts. With an Epic Pass, you can also ski at nearby Kirkwood and Northstar.
TRAVEL TO HEAVENLY
WHERE IS HEAVENLY?
Heavenly ski resort is split between the states of Nevada and California and is located in South Lake Tahoe. To access Heavenly is easiest with self-drive car hire although shuttles are available from downtown San Francisco.
HOW TO GET TO HEAVENLY
INTERNATIONAL
If arriving internationally you will be best served to fly into San Francisco International Airport. From San Francisco, you can continue your journey by either taking an internal flight to Reno or take the 3-hour drive to South Lake Tahoe straight from San Francisco.
DOMESTIC
An internal flight to Reno will bring you to your closest access point to the South Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts, but realistically you will still require car hire to get you the 1.5hr from Reno to Heavenly ski area.
HEAVENLY ACCOMMODATION
At Heavenly you will find an array of accommodation options available. The unique opportunity to stay in a casino at a ski resort is possible here, but be wary of low room prices that may tempt you to spend your spare change in the slots. Alternatively, you can opt for a stay in condos, lodges, or motel-style accommodations.
SEARCH HEAVENLY ACCOMMODATION
HEAVENLY PROS
Heavenly Ski Resort has insane views that are unrivalled!
Heavenly Mountain’s modern lift system with various entry points to the mountain
Heavenly is a purpose-built town with a lively Apres scene.
Mott Canyon offers a great inbounds challenge with steeps and bumps accessible by Heavenly’s lift system
Heavenly Ski Resort has a really good beginner’s area.
HEAVENLY CONS
Lifts at Heavenly Ski Resort can close due to high winds, which can lead to you getting stranded and needing to find a way back across the Stateline.
Heavenly Mountain, like many US ski resorts, is incredibly expensive with budget options few and far between.
Heavenly gets way more crowds at peak times than nearby Kirkwood and Northstar.
HEAVENLY ACTIVITIES
Despite being a pretty epic ski resort at Heavenly there are many alternatives on and off-snow activities to take part in. Near Tamarack Lodge you will Adventure Peak, which has a mountain coaster and tubing hill. These activities are an additional cost to your ski lift ticket.
Near the resort, it is possible to take snowmobile tours, skate at the village ice rink, or see the latest films at Heavenly Cinema. A trip to Lake Tahoe is a must, with a walk along the beach possible as well as lake cruises or fishing excursions.
The Casinos at Heavenly provide entertainment with regular shows, nightclubs, and of course the casino floor itself. But don’t get sucked into spending too much time in the casinos. Heavenly Village has a number of really good restaurants and bars to explore.
HEAVENLY GALLERY
NEARBY SKI RESORTS
HEAVENLY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS HEAVENLY SKI RESORT GOOD FOR BEGINNERS?
Heavenly has a really good beginners area near the Tamarack Lodge and another at the California Lodge base area. Heavenly resort is mostly suited to intermediates but beginners will find it a good place to learn as they will find plenty of blue graded pistes to progress onto.
IS HEAVENLY A GOOD SKI RESORT?
Honestly, the simple answer is yes. I would struggle to find reasons other than price why people would not enjoy a trip to ski at Heavenly. The pistes are well maintained, the terrain parks are great, and the tree skiing is so much fun. Add to this the location and the views that Heavenly ski resort offers and it all adds up to being a fantastic ski resort.
HOW MUCH IS THE GONDOLA RIDE AT HEAVENLY?
Don’t panic, if you are at Heavenly to ski then the gondola price is of course included with your ski pass. If however, you are a foot passenger than the $50 sightseeing pass may seem a bit steep. This pass will allow you a return trip on the gondola from Heavenly village.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY WHILST STAYING AT HEAVENLY?
This question really depends on what you are in fact looking for from your ski holiday. I stayed at Econo Lodge as I was looking for the most budget option I could find. It was well placed to explore the village and for access to both California Lodge and the Heavenly Village gondola. It was actually much nicer than I was expecting as well and would stay again.
A lot of people I spoke to at Heavenly opted for casino accommodation to be in the thick of the action, alternatively, if you are looking for a quieter holiday then head to Nevada where the accommodation is cheaper and less in your face.
HEAVENLY FINAL THOUGHTS
Visiting Heavenly ski resort was a trip I had wanted to take for years and it did not disappoint. In California, you are spoilt for choice with a number of quality ski resorts but Heavenly is up there with the best. I would say for an all-round experience if you were looking for everything in one place then Heavenly is a good choice that will meet most people’s requirements from a ski holiday. For me, I would love to return if only to take in the Lake Tahoe view just once more.
GET IN TOUCH
Thanks for reading this Heavenly ski resort review and I hope it has answered many of your questions. I’ve given my opinion but I’d love to hear from you in the comments or via the socials. Have you been to Heavenly ski resort? What were your opinions? Are there better ski resorts in Lake Tahoe?
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Northstar Ski Resort Guide
Northstar Ski Resort has everything you would expect from a destination ski area. Located north of Lake Tahoe in California, the Northstar ski area is owned by Vail resorts, therefore, is accessible using the Epic Pass. The resort and village are upmarket with a plethora of facilities to keep all the family entertained. Whether it is laps of the terrain park or the ice rink, Northstar California is guaranteed to be perfect for your family ski trip.
NORTHSTAR FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving at Northstar and parking in one of the free car parks, you are transported to the village via a free shuttle bus. One thing of note was the driver spoke over a speaker, detailing what terrain was open and the forecast for that day and week. I thought that was a nice touch and something I have not noticed when visiting other ski areas.
When in the village you can see that the set-up at Northstar is first class. The village is clean and well-maintained, with a number of obvious facilities; ski rentals, shops, cafes, and the gondola. The gondola takes you from the village to the base of the Vista Express and the Tahoe Zephyr Express. Although you can ski back down to the village and the gondola base, the majority of the skiing is found above these two lifts.
Riding the Vista Express you get a pretty decent overview of the freestyle terrain managed by Northstar Park and Pipe crew. My last impression is just how much terrain is dedicated to the terrain parks at Northstar. This is a real USP for Northstar with features to suit skiers and snowboarders who are beginners all the way through to expert freestyle riders.
NORTHSTAR SKI AREA
Northstar ski resort is pretty big with nearly 100 runs, although its vertical drop of 695m can be considered fairly modest. There is nothing particularly gnarly at Northstar ski resort, which I think is why they have focussed on terrain parks to draw the advanced crowd.
There are three areas to the Northstar California ski resort; Mt Pluto, Backside, Lookout Mountain
MT PLUTO
Mt Pluto is accessible from the village Gondola and is where you will find the beginner trails in addition to the blue trails and terrain parks. The beginner trails, lead back to the village which is a nice way to end the day. The blue trails on Mt Pluto are groomed wide pistes, perfect for skiers and snowboarders who are ready to explore more of the mountain. You will also find the terrain parks on Mt Pluto. This is Northstar Resort’s main selling point. There are nine parks, including the pipe and being home to Burtons, The Stash. The stash is a terrain park made out of natural features, such as tree rides.
BACKSIDE
The backside is where you will find the majority of Northstars steeper terrain. There are some nice glades on the backside which make for some interesting tree skiing but nothing in comparison to Heavenly. The runs, as with all of Northstar, are pisted and well-maintained. Some may argue that some terrain on the Backside of Northstar should be left ungroomed.
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
Lookout Mountain similar to The Backside has mostly single black diamond terrain serviced by one chairlift, the Martis Camp Express. The chair is named after Martis Camp a member-only lodge that sits adjacent to the lifts. One long blue, Washoe, also runs down to the base of Lookout Mountain.
With less skiable terrain than nearby Epic Pass partner Heavenly, Northstar has had to flex to secure the advanced ability guests. With little in the way of natural features for this crowd, Northstar Park and Pipe set up has been given the run of Mt Pluto with nine terrain parks to really draw the freestyle crowd. Given the success of events such as slopestyle at the recent winter Olympics, this is a shrewd move.
NORTHSTAR SKI AREA BY ABILITY
BEGINNERS TERRAIN NORTHSTAR
There are a handful of beginner runs at Northstar with the majority close to the gondola and the village. Village run, a mellow green, is a nice way to end the day by riding back into the main village. There is enough to keep never evers interested whilst learning their first turns, and a returning beginner will be excited by the amount of blue terrain they could progress onto.
INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN NORTHSTAR
Northstar can be considered an intermediates mountain. There are so many nice pisted runs across the whole mountain. The terrain on Mt Pluto is mostly blue with the odd single black diamond thrown in. Both the backside and Lookout Mountain have plenty of single black diamond runs with some interesting tree skiing to be found.
ADVANCED TERRAIN NORTHSTAR
Northstar has some interesting riding on the Backside of the resort. Here you can find some of the steeper groomers as well as some decent tree-skiing. If you catch the conditions right, these trees can be a lot of fun. The terrain parks at Northstar Ski Resort cater for advanced skiers and snowboarders with some pretty hefty features. The halfpipe sits in a prominent position near the Vista chair and there are a number of large kickers and rail features. No wonder Northstar Park and Pipe is so popular.
LIFTS AT NORTHSTAR
Northstar ski resorts lift system is modern and efficient. Really nothing else should be expected from a resort that charges $200+ for a day ticket. The lifts are quick and include two gondolas and 7 express chair lifts.
NORTHSTAR SNOW RECORD
Northstar is blessed with an average of 9m of snowfall per season! When you throw in the number of sunny days that Californian ski resorts tend to receive then that makes for a winning combination. There is also extensive snow-making at Northstar which is fantastic for the resort if there is a lean winter.
NORTHSTAR PISTE MAP
SEASON DATES
Due to the plentiful snow record and the substantive snowmaking at Northstar, the season is able to run from around mid-November through to the end of April.
NORTHSTAR LIFT TICKETS
Ok, so this is not a typo. A day ticket at Northstar is around $209! That’s extortionate. Luckily, early booking, online booking and multi-day discounts can be applied to that. When you consider that buying a Tahoe Local Pass via Epic Pass can be done for under $500, it is nonsensical to purchase a day pass at Northstar. Plan ahead to make the most of your trip to Northstar.
NORTHSTAR VIDEOS
TRAVEL TO NORTHSTAR
WHERE IS NORTHSTAR?
Northstar ski resort in California is North of Lake Tahoe just 4 miles from Truckee Airport. You can access Truckee for International airports, with San Francisco being a popular connection point. Similarly, Reno International airport is a short 40-minute drive from Northstar so offers a great access point.
DRIVING TO NORTHSTAR
Due to the amount of snow that falls around Tahoe it is sensible to keep an eye on the road information. You can find your latest travel information here and cameras here.
PARKING AT NORTHSTAR
Parking at Northstar is free at the Village View and Castle Peak car parks. The Village View car park is closer to the village and therefore the gondola. Castle Peak car park is closer to the main road as you enter Northstar ski area. Both car parks are serviced by free shuttle buses that take you to the village.
Paid parking is available in the village which is adjacent to the gondola. The cost is $20 during the week or $40 on the weekends.
HOW TO GET TO NORTHSTAR
INTERNATIONAL
If like me you are arriving from outside North America then you will probably find it cheaper and easier to fly into San Francisco International Airport. From San Francisco, you can continue your journey by either taking an internal flight to Reno or take the 3-hour drive to South Lake Tahoe straight from San Francisco. It is also possible to fly into Sacramento and but you will have to connect via another US airport.
DOMESTIC
An internal flight to Reno or Truckee Airports will bring you to your closest access point to the Northstar ski resort. Reno offers a more regular schedule but is further away from Northstar.
NORTHSTAR ACCOMMODATION
Northstar has its own village at the base. This is an ideal place to stay if you want to have all the convenience of a resort ski holiday. More affordable accommodation can be found nearby in Truckee or close to Kings Beach North Lake Tahoe.
NORTHSTAR PROS
The terrain park set up at Northstar is insane. There is a whole side of the mountain dedicated to freestyle with features to suit all abilities. This is a real draw as to why people would visit Northstar.
The Village at Northstar is purpose-built, with everything you would need to make the most of your ski trip to Lake Tahoe.
Northstar would be a great choice of ski resort for a family ski trip. There is a really calm vibe, without the wild apres scene. The Northstar ice rink is just one of the potential evening activities for children and adults.
There is a fast lift system at Northstar. The Vista Express chair accesses the freestyle terrain and guarantees a quick lap. The Northstar gondola from the village is an efficient way to reach the main ski area.
Cruising blues? Intermediates will appreciate the nice wide pistes at Northstar. There are a number of single black diamond runs that will allow intermediates to progress further.
Contentious, but the Epic Pass makes Northstar affordable as a day visitor. I visited as day trips from my base in South Lake Tahoe. This meant more affordable lodging, and lift pass already included with Heavenly and Kirkwood on the Epic Pass.
NORTHSTAR CONS
Northstar is pricey. A stay in the village will hurt your wallet. Everything at Northstar is expensive. Whether it is lodging or lift tickets, food or facilities, you can be sure to spend a buck or two.
Northstar is fantastic and has a great reputation. Sadly this means crowds during peak weeks and weekends.
Northstar is missing the really gnarly terrain. It has a good area for tree skiing on the backside, but nothing to really get the heart pumping.
NORTHSTAR GALLERY
NORTHSTAR ACTIVITIES
The centrepiece of Northstar village is the ice rink. Within a stone’s throw of the slopes, it is possible to swap your ski boots for ice skates. Popular with families. the ice rink is surrounded by tables where those who would prefer to sit and watch with an apres pint may feel more comfortable. There are a number of fit pits to keep you warm as your family and friends skate the night away.
The Northstar Village is home to a number of shops and boutiques. At my time of visiting, there were a number of brand outlets such as; The North Face and Burton. If shopping isn’t your thing, then why not head out on a dog sled tour, go to the tubing run, or hit the cross-country ski trails.
NORTHSTAR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS NORTHSTAR GOOD FOR BEGINNERS
Northstar ski school has an excellent reputation and is a fantastic place to learn to ski or snowboard. There is nothing too steep or daunting at Northstar so beginners should feel comfortable exploring the mountain.
WHEN DOES NORTHSTAR OPEN?
Although this date will change year on year and be dependent on snow conditions, Northstar normally opens towards the end of November.
WHICH IS BETTER HEAVENLY OR NORTHSTAR?
Ultimately this comes down to opinion. Heavenly is the largest resort in Tahoe and therefore offers more terrain. If my only goal was to ride in a terrain park I would head to Northstar as their set up is insanely good. Beginners will also appreciate Northstar for the mellow terrain and less traversing around the mountain. Overall, I believe that Heavenly is a better mountain. There is more expert terrain and areas like Mott Canyon are so much fun. The Village at Northstar is more compact, whereas Heavenly has larger-scale hotel options.
IS HEAVENLY OR NORTHSTAR BETTER FOR BEGINNERS?
There is more mellow terrain at Northstar and less scary intermediate terrain. If I was learning I would choose to head to Northstar. There are a few nice dedicated beginner areas at Heavenly on both California and Nevada side. I feel that Northstar is a more navigatable mountain and this would factor into my decision making as a beginner.
WHO OWNS NORTHSTAR?
Northstar was bought by Vail Resorts for a huge $63million! This purchase brought Northstar into the Epic Pass family and means pass holders can ride for free at Heavenly, Kirkwood and a number of other US and world ski resorts.
HOW LONG ARE THE RUNS AT NORTHSTAR?
Obviously, the runs will vary in length but the longest run at Northstar is 2.6miles long. Northstar has 675m of vertical drop meaning that you can combine a number of runs from the summit of Mt Pluto to the village for a longer run.
IS NORTHSTAR GOOD FOR SNOWBOARDING?
Northstar California is a great mountain to snowboard on. The terrain parks and the widely spaced tree runs make Northstar incredibly snowboarder friendly. There are no long traverses and the mountain is serviced by a number of fast lifts.
GET IN TOUCH
Thanks for reading this Northstar ski resort guide and I hope it has answered many of your questions. I’ve given my opinion but I’d love to hear from you in the comments or via the socials. Have you been to Northstar ski resort? What were your opinions? Are there better ski resorts in Lake Tahoe?
RELATED NORTHSTAR POSTS
Kirkwood Ski Resort Guide
Kirkwood California is probably the best ski resort you have never heard of. A real locals mountain tucked away from the crowds of South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood is one for your ski and snowboard bucket list. With an incredible snow record and some impressively challenging terrain Kirkwood excels in pretty much every area.
Since joining the Epic pass revolution Kirkwood is growing in popularity and there are a number of locals who don’t like that. The resort is changing both in regards to facilities and popularity and before long I am sure that Kirkwood will cement it’s place as a must visit US ski resort. There is a purpose built village at the base of Kirkwood with lodging, restaurants, and bars. There are a number of newer accommodations being developed within a short walk of the lifts.
Despite all the developments, Kirkwood remains laid back. The lifts are slow but that’s ok because your legs will need the time to recover. I was drawn to Kirkwood to snowboard on ‘The Wall’ a popular run accessed by the famous number 10 chair. But in reality I enjoyed riding around the whole resort. From outstanding tree runs, perfect pistes, and big bumps Kirkwood is an all-rounder.
KIRKWOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Turning into Kirkwood the goosebumps had already started. Snow was falling and there were only a few cars in the car park. Walking through the village there was a calm to the place. No one was rushing, despite the fact that it was a powder day and the lifts were about to start turning. I guess the locals knew there was enough to go around.
KIRKWOOD SKI AREA
Kirkwood Ski Resort is blessed with some pretty awesome terrain. 80+ trails offer plenty of variety and ensure there is always something new to ride. The terrain is heavily biased in favour of expert skiers or snowboarders however there is a designated beginners area and some fun intermediate terrain. Kirkwood has everything an expert skier or snowboarder would want with wide bowls and fantastic tree skiing. There are a number of natural terrain features such as cornices and couloirs to keep things interesting.
The frustrating thing about Kirkwood ski resort is the lift system. There are 13 lifts but only a few actually access the highest terrain on the mountain. Chair 4, 6 and 10 alongside the Vista T-Bar offer the best access to advanced terrain. The layout of Kirkwood and its lift system can mean that long traverses are needed to get to different parts of the resort.
I personally had a lot of fun from Number 4 Chair. The hike from the top of Sunrise to Cold Shoulder and Larry’s Lip being particularly fun. The Vista T-Bar also accesses some short but challenging double black diamond’s.
It is hard to talk about the Kirkwood ski area without mentioning Number 10 chair and The Wall. The Wall is a pretty imposing double black diamond that overlooks the Kirkwood mountain village. The access chairlift for the wall has a famous skull and crossbones warning sign notifying you that it is expert only. The Wall is good fun after heavy snowfall and if you like big bumps.
Another favourite was the traverse into Sentinel Bowl deem Number 6 Chair. Although the traverse itself was fairly dull, the terrain in Sentinel Bowl is well worth it. There were plenty of interesting tree runs to explore in tis area.
KIRKWOOD SKI AREA BY ABILITY
BEGINNERS TERRAIN KIRKWOOD
Honestly, I would not recommend Kirkwood as a beginners ski resort. There is only a small amount of Green terrain which will see you repeating runs until they become tedious. The beginners area, Timber Creek, is away from the main runs, so at least that gives beginners a quiet place to learn.
INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN KIRKWOOD
Similar to beginners there isn’t much in the way of intermediate terrain at Kirkwood. What there is though is really fun. Runs like Elevator Shaft and Devil’s Draw give you the opportunity to nip in and out of the trees whereas pistes like Lower Zachery are wide and well groomed. Kirkwood could be a great resort for intermediates to take their first turns in the trees.
ADVANCED TERRAIN KIRKWOOD
This is where Kirkwood comes into its own. There is such a great variety of advanced terrain at Kirkwood that you can always find a challenge. The tree skiing is excellent and the bowls offer opportunities to drop some nice ledges or navigate through rocky outcrops.
LIFTS AT KIRKWOOD
Kirkwood’s lift system is far from a reason to visit. Behind the times in many ways the lift system is probably one of the things that keeps Kirkwood quiet. The interesting terrain at Kirkwood is accessed via fairly slow fixed grip chairs that ensure you get a rest between runs. Honestly I am torn. Quicker lifts and Kirkwood probably gets buried in crowds and loses its charm… small price to pay?
KIRKWOOD SNOW RECORD
Kirkwood is blessed when it comes to annual snowfall with it regularly receiving over 15m throughout the season. The quality of the snow is pretty decent as well especially when compared to other Californian ski resorts that have lower base and summit elevations. Kirkwood ski resort doesn’t really do snow-making… well why would it need to?
KIRKWOOD PISTE MAP
SEASON DATES
The ski season at Kirkwood runs from late November until the third week of April with snow permitting. In California you can ski at Squaw or Mammoth for longer… but then is it as good?
KIRKWOOD LIFT TICKETS
Buying a day pass for Kirkwood is $109 which isn’t cheap. If you are planning a multi-day trip or plan to ski at other resorts during the season then it is worth considering the Epic Pass or one of the local Epic Value passes. An Epic Pass costs $979 at full value although discounts are normally available if purchased early. This means just 9 days of use to break even when compared to equivalent day passes.
KIRKWOOD VIDEOS
TRAVEL TO KIRKWOOD
WHERE IS KIRKWOOD?
Kirkwood Mountain Resort is a 45 minute drive from South Lake Tahoe if you are already in the area or a 3 hr drive from San Francisco. Because of the extreme amounts of snow that Kirkwood receives this can affect the conditions on the road. You will find the latest road information here but it is important to be prepared for winter driving conditions.
Beware GPS
During the winter certain roads in California close due to the winter conditions. Mormon Emigrant Trail may show as your fastest route however this road is not accessible during winter.
HOW TO GET TO KIRKWOOD
INTERNATIONAL
If arriving internationally you will be best served to fly into San Francisco International Airport. From San Francisco, you can continue your journey by either taking an internal flight to Reno or take the 3-hour drive to South Lake Tahoe straight from San Francisco. It is also possible to fly into Sacramento but you will have to connect via another US airport.
DOMESTIC
An internal flight to Reno will bring you to your closest access point to the South Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts, but realistically you will still require car hire to get you the 1.5hr from Reno to Kirkwood ski area.
KIRKWOOD ACCOMMODATION
Kirkwood has its own village at the base. At Kirkwood you will find all sorts of hotels, condos and cabins. Consider using the link to look for your Kirkwood Accommodation.
KIRKWOOD PROS
Kirkwood ski resort has a really nice variety of terrain with challenging runs for experts as well as mellow beginners pistes
The Kirkwood snow record is insane! Kirkwood regularly receives more snow than the majority of ski resorts in the world
Kirkwood is generally quieter then other Tahoe ski areas. This shows itself in a really laid back vibe.
Kirkwood has a purpose built village that allows you to stay close to the slopes.
Free parking available in certain Kirkwood car parks
KIRKWOOD CONS
Lifts at Kirkwood can run slow which can put off many visitors
Kirkwood has a quiet village with few Apres opportunities.
KIRKWOOD GALLERY
KIRKWOOD FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS KIRKWOOD PART OF LAKE TAHOE
Kirkwood Mountain Resort is located in South Lake Tahoe, California. Kirkwood is around 45 minutes drive from the Lake Tahoe itself.
IS KIRKWOOD GOOD FOR BEGINNERS?
If you are a never ever taking your first turns for a day or two… yes, there is a designated beginners area at Kirkwood Mountain Resort. However the lack of beginner terrain in general means that Kirkwood is not the best option for beginner skiers or snowboarders
IS KIRKWOOD A DIFFICULT MOUNTAIN?
Kirkwood ski resort has some pretty gnarly terrain. There is a great variety to the advanced terrain at Kirkwood, meaning you don’t need to be doing anything crazy to find a challenge. However if you want to drop-in of a cornice or to navigate a narrow couloirs you can. The majority of terrain at Kirkwood is steep and mostly ungroomed, this can add to the intensity of the terrain.
DOES KIRKWOOD MAKE SNOW?
Kirkwood doesn’t need to make snow as it gets such a good natural snow fall. Kirkwood has a long season due to its snow record, but some snowmaking is in place to ensure that the beginning and end of the season conditions remain epic.
DOES KIRKWOOD HAVE TUBING?
There isn’t much in the way of off-snow activities at Kirkwood however the tubing hill is perfect for families looking for a break from skiing and snowboarding. Bonus about tubing at Kirkwood is there is a rope tow to help you get back to the top.
IS KIRKWOOD GOOD?
Crazy question. Kirkwood is genuinely one of the best ski resorts I have visited. LOVE IT!
HOW LONG IS THE KIRKWOOD SKI SEASON?
Kirkwood regularly opens for winter operations in November and closes in April!
GET IN TOUCH
Thanks for reading this Kirkwood ski resort guide and I hope it has answered many of your questions. I’ve given my opinion but I’d love to hear from you in the comments or via the socials. Have you been to Kirkwood ski resort? What were your opinions? Are there better ski resorts in Lake Tahoe?
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