It’s easy to call Lake Tahoe the last unforked pea on the plate of American snow riding. More and more Tahoe resorts might be mirroring the mainstream, painting a canvas of haves and haves more, but don’t kid yourself: No other resort destination in North America encompasses such a wide array of world class slopes, abundant snowfall, pristine vistas and sparkling amenities. Moreover, there are more chair lifts to ride in the Tahoe Basin than in the entire state of Colorado and four out of five days are sunny. Winter temperatures average around 29 degrees, and when it snows, which is often this early season, the flakes fall thick and fast, piling into soft mounds on the upper portion of discolored mountain peaks and setting the stage for exceptional skiing and snowboarding.

Granlibakken Ski Hill
(530) 581-7533
(530) 582-4242
www.granilibakken.com
30 acres
 
The story of skiing at Granilibakken, which in Norwegian means "a hillside sheltered by fir trees," dates back to 1928 when the resort became one of Tahoe's first snowplay areas. In 1930 it built one of the country's best ski jumps and hosted the following two years the National and Olympic Trial Jumping Championships. Today, the historic jump that once overlooked the ski hill is gone and been replaced by one poma surface lift that continues to evoke old Tahoe charm and treasured memories besides offering ski lessons, rentals, and a snow play area. The ski area is a great choice for those who want to ski with their families and avoid crowds.
 
What’s New: Unwind with a warming beverage at the resort’s Cedar House Pub. Opened several years ago the pub also serves dinner weekends and holidays throughout the ski season.
       
Best Deal: Stay overnight and receive lodging, a hot breakfast buffet and one adult midweek lift ticket to Alpine Meadows, Homewood Mountain Resort, Mt. Rose, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Palisades Tahoe USA and Sugar Bowl.
 
Insider Tip: Backcountry skiers can get a head start by paying for a one ride lift ticket to the top of the resort’s one slope which accesses trails into Paige meadows.
 
Insider Tip: Granlibakken offers one of the better outdoor children’s play area for sledding and snowplay.

More of Tahoe Resorts: A-to-Z

Alpine Meadows
Boreal
Diamond Peak
Donner Ski Ranch
Granlibakken
Heavenly Mountain Resort
Homewood Mountain Resort
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Mt. Rose
Northstar-at-Tahoe
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Soda Springs
Sugar Bowl
Squaw Valley USA
Tahoe Donner