Ski Resort Guide | Lake Tahoe – California – Nevada

Parking & Traffic

With the exception of ski in / ski out accommodations, just about any ski resort area in the U.S. that is a destination or near an urban center will have parking and traffic issues.

For Weather, Road Conditions and Resort Webcams for Lake Tahoe, visit our Lake Tahoe Road Conditions and Webcams Page

New for the 2023 – 2024 Ski Season, Palisades Tahoe is implementing a parking reservation system for weekends and holidays.  Palisades Tahoe Parking Information Page

Without a doubt, holidays and weekends are busy so getting there early, waiting until the afternoon or taking public transportation are key to making the trip easier.

What are the best resorts for families?

Lake Tahoe is extremely family friendly and offers something for each member of the family to enjoy their visit.  If your family has a variety of skill levels and possibly even some non-skiers, then the larger resorts with villages (Palisades Tahoe/Squaw Valley, Heavenly, Northstar) will have something for everyone.  If the focus is on a cost effective experience to get the whole family riding together, then one of the mid size resorts may offer the best option (Sugar Bowl, Mt. Rose, Diamond Peak, Sierra at Tahoe, Homewood).

What is the best ski resort for beginners?

Most resorts have programs and terrain for beginners.  However, if you are just starting out, why not start with one of the smaller, less expensive resorts in Lake Tahoe.   If you just moved to the Reno area, want to get your kids riding and don’t mind volunteering a few hours, Sky Tavern is the way to go.  If you are visiting, the comparison chart will be very helpful and can help you with location as well as base cost.  Signing up for lessons at Tahoe Donner, Sierra at Tahoe, Homewood, Diamond Peak, Boreal, or Mt. Rose will allow you to save some money for that new snowboard or pair of skis once you fall in love with the sport.

Which Lake Tahoe Resort has the best terrain?

While anyone who has watched a ski movie from Warren Miller, Matchstick Productions, Greg Stump, Teton Gravity Research or others will be familiar with Squaw Valley (now called Palisades Tahoe) & Heavenly as probably two of the most famous for their size and terrain, there are some additional resorts that are worth a visit for advanced riders.   For those who know Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood (EPIC Pass), and Alpine Meadows (IKON & part of Palisades Tahoe) are also blessed with excellent terrain and are worth a visit.  Other resorts that offer advanced terrain include Mt. Rose (special mention of The Chutes) and Sugar Bowl and are worth a visit.

What is the best ski resort in Tahoe?

Simply put, the best resort is the one that you are skiing or riding now.  Every resort has something to offer and with the right conditions, all offer an enjoyable experience.  If you have the budget, the experience of Northstar, Squaw Valley, and Heavenly offer a little bit of everything from accommodations, restaurant options, après to beginner and expert terrain alike.  While many other resorts may not have a large village, but do offer more affordable options, may be more convenient or have other benefits.

To learn more about the lake itself, check out Lake Tahoe Statistics | About Lake Tahoe

Which Lake Tahoe resorts allow snowboarding?

Lake Tahoe resorts are 100% open to snowboarding.  Many of the resorts have invested in terrain parks and throughout each there is a great balance between skiers and snowboarders.

What are the best resorts on a storm day?

All resorts are great on a 25 degree bluebird powder day, however the best mountain on a storm day is a much more complicated question.  For my money, KT-22 at Palisades Tahoe y offers access to some of the best terrain and is often able to keep running even with high winds.  However, when the winds are howling and the snow is dumping, many of the upper mountain lifts at the large resorts may close.  While for many, a hot toddy in the cabin and sitting in the hot tub may be the call, for those powder hounds that need to get out, storm days are amazing.

On a storm day it is sometimes wise to wait and have a look at Road Conditions as well as the morning snow report of the resorts that you are considering.  When the major resorts have the upper mountain lifts closed some great options are Sugar Bowl, Homewood, Sierra at Tahoe, Diamond Peak and Northstar they are more likely to be able to keep the lifts moving.

Which Resorts have the highest base elevation?

Snow level is a key part of any Lake Tahoe forecast and as there are large fluctuations, selecting a resort with a higher base elevation may make the difference between a very wet day or an epic powder day.  Mt. Rose at 8,260 feet and Kirkwood 7,800 feet are clear winners for getting top to bottom snow when the warmer storms roll through.

Best California Resorts for Spring Skiing & Riding?

For Lake Tahoe, the clear winner for spring skiing & riding is Squaw Valley.  Most years Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley)  will be open through Memorial Day weekend and in some years, operations will continue through July 4th weekend.   Why not get a morning surf in the bay area, a morning paddle on the lake, then keep the shorts on to ride some spring corn, then relax with an adult beverage and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

Mammoth is definitely worth a mention here.  While not in the Lake Tahoe basin, it is a well known Spring ski & ride destination and worth a visit (especially if you have an IKON pass).  Try a paddle on Mono Lake, get some spring turns in, then later in the spring you may even have the option to ride the mountain bike park (or a nice cold beer while enjoying the sun)