Where to go for Snow
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Where to go for Snow

north lake tahoeWhen it comes to snow, Reno-Tahoe has some epic bragging rights. Only an hour away from the Biggest Little City is the highest concentration of ski resorts in the country, coupled with record-breaking annual snowfall and sweeping views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Play in our backyard and experience world-class skiing and snowboarding at each of these 14 resorts.

Northstar California Resort

 A year-round resort with both winter and summer activities, Northstar is home to 100 ski and snowboard trails, 20 lifts, and eight terrain parks spread across 3,170 acres. The resort also has cross country skiing, telemark skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, and ice skating, as well as two Kids Adventure Zones that are built with families in mind. When you’re not hitting the slopes, explore everything The Village at Northstar has to offer, which includes upscale dining and shopping options, live music, a movie theater, yoga classes, and more.

Northstar California Resort is located at 5001 Northstar Drive in Truckee, Calif., and more information can be found at northstarcalifornia.com.

Heavenly Ski Resort 

Have you ever wanted to shred two states at once? Heavenly is the region’s largest resort, spanning 4,800 skiable acres across California and Nevada. Ninety-seven trails – ranging from wide-open cruisers to plunging 1,600-foot chutes – serve every level of skier and snowboarder, as do 28 lifts, two terrain parks, and two expert areas. Because Heavenly has the highest mountain elevation in the area, at 10,067 feet, runs provide overlooking views of Lake Tahoe’s pristine waters that will be worth stopping in your tracks to see.

Heavenly Ski Resort is located at 4080 Lake Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., and more information can be found at skiheavenly.com.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Uniquely located atop the Sierra Crest, Kirkwood annually receives anywhere from 350-600 inches of some of the lightest, driest snow there is. That means the powder really piles up at this high-alpine resort, perfect for its 86 trails and diverse terrain that challenge and thrill skiers and snowboarders alike. If you’re looking for a big mountain experience in a more remote (but equally stunning) setting, Kirkwood is waiting to welcome you.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort is located at 1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive in Kirkwood, Calif., and more information can be found at kirkwood.com.

Squaw Valley Ski Resort

Squaw Valley was once a small ski mountain with one chairlift and lodging for 50. After a successful bid to host the 1960 Winter Olympics, though, it’s now consistently ranked among the best in the world. The resort is the second largest in the region, and its 3,600 skiable acres are filled with more than 170 trails, 16 bowls, and four terrain parks. In addition to offering snow tubing, mini snowmobiles, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and dog sledding, Squaw is one of few resorts that has night skiing and snowboarding when conditions permit. It’s also home to the last funitel – a gondola built for lengthier trips and higher winds – in the United States.

Squaw Valley Ski Resort is located at 1960 Squaw Valley Road in Olympic Valley, Calif., and more information can be found at squawalpine.com.

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort

Self-described as a picturesque playground, Alpine Meadows features more than 100 trails, seven bowls, and two terrain parks waiting to be explored. If you’ve always wanted to learn to ski or snowboard, this resort offers tailored programs for every skill level, including adaptive lessons for people with disabilities. Alpine Meadows often has one of the longest snow seasons of the area, making it a must-visit locale as warmer weather approaches.

Alpine Meadows Ski Resort is located at 2600 Alpine Meadows Road in Tahoe City, Calif., and more information can be found at squawalpine.com.

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe

Just 25 minutes away from Reno is Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, the closest ski resort to the Biggest Little City. A base elevation of 8,260 feet provides supreme snow conditions for more than 60 trails, eight chairlifts, and three terrain parks on 1,200 acres. Seasoned skiers and boarders can tackle The Chutes, which are some of the steepest and longest slopes found in North America. If you want to try Mt. Rose before committing to a season pass, visit on Two’fer Tuesdays when you can get two lift tickets for the price of one or Ladies Day Thursdays when all women receive discounted lift tickets.

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is located at 22222 Mt. Rose Highway in Reno, and more information can be found at skirose.com.

Boreal Mountain Resort

Looking to ride after work or school? Boreal is best known for its night skiing and snowboarding, as it’s open until 9 p.m. daily with easy highway access. If that’s not enticing enough, there are 33 trails, six chairlifts, and epic terrain parks with half pipes, jumps, rails, and banks. Boreal also has a Start Park, which is designed to introduce skiers and snowboarders to transitional park riding through a slightly more advanced terrain with sculpted snow bumps and berms.

Boreal Mountain Resort is located at 19749 Boreal Ridge Road in Soda Springs, Calif., and more information can be found at rideboreal.com.

Diamond Peak Ski Resort

You’ll feel right at home when skiing or snowboarding Diamond Peak, as this community-owned resort has miles of welcoming, uncrowded runs and some seriously incredible views of Lake Tahoe since it’s right next door on the North Shore. Strap in for 30 trails, six lifts, and two terrain parks, plus a Child Ski Center dedicated to the littlest riders. If you’re looking for a deal, Diamond Peak provides free passes to kids age six and younger and seniors who are 80 years old and up.

Diamond Peak Ski Resort is located at 1210 Ski Way in Incline Village, Nev., and more information can be found at diamondpeak.com.

Sugar Bowl Resort

Sugar Bowl is one of the county’s oldest ski areas, originally opened in 1939 and still family owned. Perched atop Donner Summit, 98 trails are spread across four peaks, 1,650 acres, and 1,500 vertical feet. The resort receives 500 inches of average annual snowfall, making it one sweet place to ride. After a day on the mountain, take the gondola to Sugar Bowl’s Village Lodge, which still features its Austrian and Bavarian character, or stay slope-side at the more modern Mt. Judah Lodge.

Sugar Bowl Resort is located at 629 Sugar Bowl Road in Norden, Calif., and more information can be found at sugarbowl.com.

Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort

Royal Gorge is the largest XC (cross country) resort in North America, offering six distinct trail systems and nine different warming huts on 6,000 acres. If you’re unfamiliar with cross country skiing, welcoming instructors are available to introduce you to the sport before you explore 27 beginner trails with gorgeous views of the Northern Sierra. Royal Gorge also has snowshoeing and dog-friendly trails, perfect if your furry friend enjoys tagging along for a day in the snow.

Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort is located at 9411 Pahatsi Road in Soda Springs, Calif., and more information can be found at royalgorge.com.

Sierra-at-Tahoe

At a base elevation of 6,640 feet, Sierra-at-Tahoe brings you an average annual snowfall of 460 inches direct from Mother Nature herself. Fourteen lifts serve 46 trails and eight terrain parks, including the Halfpipe that TransWorld SNOWboarding ranked among its Top 10 Best Parks and Pipes in the nation. For families, Sierra-at-Tahoe has four Adventure Zones built just for kids, a tubing mountain, and three miles of snowshoe trails.

Sierra-at-Tahoe is located at 1111 Sierra-at-Tahoe Road in Twin Bridges, Calif., and more information can be found at sierraattahoe.com.

Homewood Mountain Resort

“Where the Mountains Meet the Lake” isn’t just a catchy slogan for Homewood. As the closest resort to Lake Tahoe, 280 steps is all it takes to go from lift to lake, and the extraordinary views provided by this proximity are even better than you could imagine. Skiers and snowboarders have 67 runs, eight lifts, and four parks waiting for them, as well as 750 acres of backcountry terrain accessible by fully tracked snowcat vehicles. While beginners and advanced riders have plenty of options, intermediate and expert trails make up 55 percent of the mountain. If that sounds like your skill level, get ready to shred.

Homewood Mountain Resort is located at 5145 West Lake Boulevard in Homewood, Calif., and more information can be found at skihomewood.com.

Donner Ski Ranch

Donner Ski Ranch isn’t fancy, and that’s how they want it. Family owned and family oriented, the resort strives to make skiing and snowboarding accessible for all. You can’t beat the Old School Days promotion offered almost every Tuesday through Thursday, when lift ticket prices roll back to $40 for adults and $22 for children (plus equipment rental for just $20). Six chair lifts serve 78 runs on the front and back sides of the mountain with options for every skill level, and non-riders can enjoy a tubing park and snow play area.

Donner Ski Ranch is located at 19320 Donner Pass Road in Norden, Calif., and more information can be found at donnerskiranch.com.

Soda Springs Mountain Resort

If you’re new to skiing and snowboarding, Soda Springs is an ideal place to learn and practice your skills. It has a relatively small vertical rise of only 550 feet, and four of its 13 trails are made for beginners. More seasoned riders won’t be bored, though, as there are advanced trails as well. Families with younger children (ages 8 and younger) have Planet Kids waiting for them, which features mini tubing, a tubing carousel, climbable snow volcanos, and lesson areas. Pick up more speed at Tube Town, where 20 runs cover a 400-foot surface lift.  

Soda Springs Mountain Resort is located at 10244 Soda Springs Road in Norden, Calif., and more information can be found at skisodasprings.com.

Photo credit: North Lake Tahoe