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.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort
(209) 258-6000
Snow Phone- (888) KIRKWOOD
www.skikirkwood.com
2300 acres
 
Kirkwood, “the wild child,” of Sierra ski resorts is growing up. After 33 years, the last ski resort built in California has matured into adulthood. It’s a birthday everyone can enjoy. Once known for a lack of high-end luxuries, the high alpine resort is redefining mountain hospitality. Since 1995, a fruit basket of nearly $250 million in new development has launched the historically laid-back sanctuary into the upper tier of North American winter playgrounds.
 
Far from the maddening crowd, Kirkwood’s charm rests over 2,300 acres of horseshoe-shaped terrain that boasts some of North America’s toughest and tamest slopes. The mountain has always retained the air of adventure and been a favorite lair for hardboiled skiers from both north and south shores who are attracted to the resort’s giant bowls, precipitous steeps, and nostalgic atmosphere. But it’s ironic that for all the eye-popping pitches, and rugged pulchritude lurking within Kirkwood’s intestines, the mountain is friendly to all, cradling the novice and purring to families. Some of the finest beginner terrain can be discovered in the Timber Creek learning area, rated by USA Today as one of the Top Ten Places to Learn To Ski.
 
Topping out at 9,800 feet, Kirkwood invariably gets the coldest, driest, and most abundant snow around - up to 700 inches some years. When Pacific coast low-pressure systems rampage throughout the Sierra it can snow for days, even weeks at Kirkwood.
 
As a result, snowfall for the resort has always been a bit of a loose cannon: great snow conditions, but making the 35-mile jaunt to Southshore about as accessible as rum punch at a Mormon wedding. Today, with the efforts of Cal Trans, Highway 88 is pretty much hassle free and an excellent alternative to the more congested Highway 50 and Interstate 80 when traveling to and from the Tahoe area. No matter what the road conditions, it’s always worth the adventure because few other resorts combine such momentous snow conditions with hardboiled terrain.
 
Encyclopedic is an adjective often used to describe Kirkwood. Its alpine domain spans three peaks with 65 designated trails spread over 2,300 carveable acres, all laced by 12 lifts. The layout of the mountain makes it easy to explore. From its base area, lifts quickly disperse skiers into an arc of ski-anywhere terrain. Veterans who know the area enjoy the steeps tucked away in Thunder Saddle. Four double-black runs sit side by side and dish up an in-bounds, steep-and-deep experience. Intermediates enjoy the rolling shoulders of Hole-n'-Wall, The Reut, and Caples chairs. Long, groomed runs such as Sentinel and Comet are confidence builders and make for ego-boosting turns. The Timber Creek learning area is rated by USA Today as one of the Top Ten Places to Learn To Ski.
 
What’s New: Last season Kirkwood began offering guided snowcat ski tours on select days from the top of Red Cliffs. Remote and serene, the powder paradise offers a wildlife habitat of ego boosting romps. New this season is the replacing of Chair 7 with a high-speed quad that accesses the beginner area. The resort invested in winch cats for higher angle grooming. The resort’s $250 million Master Development Plan has completed a 43,000-square-foot ski in/ski out five-star hotel adjacent to a plaza level containing retail shopping and dining. Additionally, the resort constructed a 4,000 square foot Children’s Center, Snowboard Center, Season Pass/Group Sales Office and a Mountain Club condominium hotel that provides guests with spa, gym, sauna, ski check and concierge services.
 
Best Place To Take A Screaming Pottie: The chutes below The Sisters, or One Man- and Two Man Chutes are reachable by following Larry’s Lip off the Sunrise Chair.
 
Don’t Miss: Thunder Saddle - The north facing area contains high-level intermediate to expert runs that hold snow well for carving clean, short turns down adventuresome chutes.
 
Insider Tip: Park at he Timber Creek lot for the easiest in-and-out. Take Chair 7 to the front side, then Chair 6 back at day's end.

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