| Lake Tahoe both Nevada and California is | | | | conscious vacationer a great option! |
| world renowned for a great mixture of | | | | |
| terrains, scenery, resorts, nightlife, and | | | | Kirkwood Resort |
| quality of snow. People from all over the | | | | |
| world travel to Tahoe every year to | | | | Kirkwood Resort offers the intermediate skier |
| experience skiing, snowboarding, and | | | | the most options on the more than 65 trails, |
| backcountry skiing and shoeing for | | | | over 50%. They also offer beginning, advanced |
| themselves... Tahoe boasts that not many are | | | | and expert choices on their 2,300 acres of |
| disappointed. With 7 resorts to chose from, | | | | skiable terrain. One of the most distinctive |
| casino's and gambling on the Nevada side, and | | | | things about the Kirwood Resort is the many |
| outlets, shopping and fine dining on the | | | | unique and interesting classes and tours. |
| California side, South Lake Tahoe, paired | | | | They have a backcountry guided tour, a |
| with the beautiful scenery in absolutely | | | | snowboarding tour, several different skiing |
| every direction, it is pretty hard for any | | | | tours, as well as classes and clinics for |
| vacationer to loose. | | | | skiers and boarders of all ages. They have |
| | | | safety clinics and take avalanche safety and |
| One of the most highly regarded resorts is | | | | teaching skiers about it very seriously. They |
| Heavenly Resort who claims to be "Lake | | | | also offer several different types of their |
| Tahoe's premier winter playground." Heavenly | | | | Kirkwood: Expeditions series with such tours |
| is the largest resort in California, but is | | | | as the Powder Cat tour or an avalanche tour. |
| bordering Nevada and Lake Tahoe making the | | | | They also offer Kirkwood: Expedition tours |
| possibilities for fun threefold. Heavenly | | | | geared to children and teens, giving them a |
| boasts the not only the largest vertical drop | | | | supervised, educational activity to |
| in California (3,500 feet) but also the owner | | | | participate in while their parents are |
| of Lake Tahoe's tallest summit (10,067). The | | | | enjoying the runs. The prices for these tours |
| mountain, at Heavenly, has 95 different and | | | | and classes depend on the length and |
| diverse trails that cover all levels of | | | | complexity of the tour, but start at $100 and |
| skiing ability and thrill seeking with access | | | | go clear up to thousands for the overnight |
| from their 30 lifts, nine of which are high | | | | expeditions. The daily lift tickets are $15 |
| speed. Heavenly is also the proud owner of | | | | for children and seniors to $69 for a full |
| the West Coast's most powerful snowmaking | | | | day adult. |
| system ensuring that there will always be | | | | |
| enough snow, no matter what Mother Nature has | | | | Lodging at Kirkwood can happen on site. They |
| to say! The resort also offers a wide array | | | | have several different options of small |
| of skiing schools, clinics and services to | | | | studio rooms, to spacious condos with three |
| make your day perfect. You can take private | | | | plus bedrooms. Most of the accommodations |
| or group lessons, clinics specifically geared | | | | come with TV, VCR, DVD and cable in the room. |
| towards women's adventure, or a host of | | | | Many have fireplaces, kitchens, Jacuzzi tubs, |
| classes specifically aimed at problem areas. | | | | and feature hot tubs, recreational rooms, on |
| They also have an on site day care, tours, | | | | property as well as options for covered |
| photo and shuttle services, and an area to | | | | parking and covered swimming pools. There are |
| check your Skis or Snowboard while you enjoy | | | | 10 different locations to stay at while |
| other parts of the mountain. Heavenly also | | | | visiting Kirkwood: Meadowstone Lodge, The |
| has great tree runs for snowboarders and has | | | | Lodge at Kirkwood, Lost Cabin, Snowcrest |
| the reputation for being a very boarder | | | | Lodge, The Mountain Club, The Sentinels, |
| friendly resort. | | | | Kirkwood Towers, Sun Meadows, The Meadows, |
| | | | and Base Camp all offering different price |
| There is not lodging on site at Heavenly, but | | | | and luxury accomodations. Prices at these |
| they have worked hard to make sure that your | | | | locations depend on time of year and |
| stay at Lake Tahoe can be the best vacation | | | | availability, viewing options at their |
| ever. With this goal in mind, they have | | | | website is probably the best option. |
| worked to develop relationships with Hotels, | | | | |
| Motels, Condos and Bed and Breakfasts in the | | | | The Sierra at Tahoe Resort is situated |
| area and have special "Heavenly" rates when | | | | farther away from the lake than most of the |
| you select a "Preferred Property." Prices | | | | other Tahoe resorts, and this allows the |
| range from $49 to $200+ a night depending on | | | | California skier from San Francisco or |
| number of rooms and dates of stay. | | | | Sacramento a shorter commute. Sierra at Tahoe |
| | | | also prides themselves on being a family |
| Lift tickets to Heavenly vary in price | | | | resort and have tubing, sledding, |
| depending on length and time you will be | | | | snowshoeing, and family tours and lessons to |
| skiing; however, they offer a discount plans | | | | encourage parents to bring their kids along |
| if tickets are purchased online a head of | | | | for the fun. Even the shape of the resort is |
| time. Prices begin at $106 for the 2007- 2008 | | | | family friends, the oval shape allows family |
| and vary from there, but not exceeding $158 | | | | member of difference skill sects to go on the |
| for a 2 day pass during the Christmas season. | | | | runs that they enjoy, and meet back in the |
| They also have teen and children lift ticket | | | | middle easily. |
| rates. They also offer lift ticket for longer | | | | |
| stays 7 to 10 days. | | | | There are six parks for everyone to choose |
| | | | from, The Alley, Bashful, Broadway, The |
| If looking to enjoy some of the most unique | | | | Circuit, Smokey, and Upper Main. Smokey park |
| runs and chutes while visiting Lake Tahoe, | | | | is probably one of the favorites at Sierra at |
| skiing or snowboarding Heavenly is a must on | | | | Tahoe, located in the rear, the Smokey area |
| your to do list! | | | | is designating for racing and training. It |
| | | | has diverse terrain making it fun at high or |
| Ski Heavenly | | | | low speeds and for people of all skill |
| | | | levels. For the adrenaline junkies, Bashful |
| The NorthStar resort at Tahoe is a unique | | | | Park is the place to be, it features a |
| experience in ski resorts. It has a village | | | | vertical pitch all the way down and the |
| full of restaurants, stores, ice rink, as | | | | ability to hit five jumps in a row, there is |
| well as the home of a great run for beginners | | | | also a 12 foot wall ride and a line of jibs |
| or for pros to warm up on! Along with the | | | | making this a great place for the advanced to |
| Village Run, Northstar has six other | | | | expert skiers. The Broadway is a great place |
| attractions to chose from. Mt. Pluto is one | | | | for the more advanced beginners to moderate |
| of their most family friendly areas. It has | | | | skiers to start and getting a little bit |
| many well groomed, moderately pitched runs. | | | | fancy, it has 10 to 20 feet rails, small |
| For those looking for something just a little | | | | jump, tables, and boxes to help them see what |
| harder than Mt Pluto, the Northstar Northwest | | | | the "rush" of skiing is all about! |
| Territory is perfect. Aimed at intermediate | | | | |
| skiers and is ideal for refining your | | | | Lift tickets are $65 dollars for adults on a |
| technical skills, training for harder runs, | | | | one day pass and $68 for Holidays. They also |
| or racing. The Backside is prime skiing for | | | | offer children and senior passes from $16. |
| moderate to advanced skiers and offers seven | | | | Sierra at Tahoe also has a "Parent |
| different mile long runs as well as acres of | | | | Perdicatment Tickets" which allow parents to |
| tree skiing. Lookout Mountain is one of | | | | use the same pass back and forth while one |
| Northstar's local hotspots. Known for its | | | | parent stays with the younger kids, the other |
| steep inclines and bump runs is a challenge | | | | can go up the lift, then they can switch off. |
| even for experienced skiers. If you are | | | | This is a great feature for those skiers with |
| looking for a challenge, this is the place. | | | | small children! |
| The Terrain Park is considered one of the | | | | |
| "top ten best Terrain parks in North | | | | One of the drawback to this resort is there |
| America." It offers all sizes and skill | | | | are not any lodging accommodations available, |
| levels within its 45 rails, boes, 50 jumps | | | | but this could be a great place for a day |
| and jibs. There is also a 420 foot Super Pipe | | | | trip. |
| for snowboarders to enjoy! Another great | | | | |
| feature at Northstar at Tahoe is their | | | | Sierra Resort |
| X-Country and Snowshoeing area. Over 24 miles | | | | |
| of are open for snowshoeing, tracking, or | | | | Alpine Meadows is proud of their 2,400 acres |
| skate-skiing in a safe, well groomed | | | | of patrolled, skiable terrain. It has over |
| environment, away from all the hustle and | | | | 100 runs that encompass all skill levels. |
| bustle of the higher paced runs. If you come | | | | They offer many different skiing and |
| to Northstar as your first skiing experience, | | | | snowboarding classes and not just the basics, |
| you are in luck they offer many skiing and | | | | but private out of bound tours and beginner |
| snowboarding classes for adults, children, | | | | classes that teach using the |
| and women only classes. | | | | Direct-To-Parallel program. They also have an |
| | | | on mountain restaurant and snack bar and an |
| Lift tickets at Northstar vary from $28 to | | | | indoor children's play area. |
| $68 dollars for a single day pass (children | | | | |
| senior to adult). There are discounts for | | | | Lift tickets to Alpine are $58 for an adult |
| multi day passes and different pricing | | | | full day, or $63 for holiday. Child, senior |
| schedules for holidays. | | | | and teen tickets start at $10 through $49. |
| | | | Alpine Meadows also offers discounts for |
| Northstar also has a great selection of | | | | multiple day lift packages. |
| lodging from the Northstar Village rooms, to | | | | |
| Northstar Condos, to Northstar Mountain | | | | Although there are not any lodging |
| Homes, and the new Northstar Village Condo's | | | | accommodations at Alpine Meadows, they have |
| that vary in price and number of rooms from 1 | | | | several package deals with Reno and Tahoe |
| room lofts for $139 a night to deluxe housing | | | | hotels, resorts, and casinos making the |
| packages with 6 rooms, 4 bathrooms for $1800 | | | | options of visiting Alpine more accessible. |
| a night. All in all, Northstar at Tahoe is | | | | They also have shuttles from certain hotels |
| centered around having everything a family | | | | and the parking areas. |
| needs for a great ski vacation. | | | | |
| | | | Squaw Valley Resort |
| Mt. Rose ski resort boasts Tahoe's highest | | | | |
| elevation point at 8,260 feet and being the | | | | Squaw Valley, USA is one of the larges Tahoe |
| closest to Reno, Nevada, the nearest airport | | | | resorts having over 4,000 acres of terrain. |
| to Lake Tahoe. Mt. Rose offers 1,200 acres of | | | | Over "70% of the mountain's terrain" is for |
| powder and the new Chutes has added over 200 | | | | the beginner and moderate skier and/or |
| acres of steep, 1500 feet of vertical drop at | | | | snowboarder. This is a huge amount of space |
| 40-55 degrees, for the experienced skiers | | | | for someone to explore. They have all sorts |
| enjoyment. There are four gates, or entrances | | | | terrain parks with half pipes, jumps, and |
| to the Chutes that can be accessed by the | | | | rails. They also have racing services. Squaw |
| normal Zephyr lift chair, or by the express | | | | Valley offers classes in skiing, |
| Chuter Chair. Mt. Rose also has a well | | | | snowboarding, cross-country skiing, night |
| rounded array of skiing options, with over 60 | | | | skiing, and everything in between. |
| runs, beginner and intermediate runs as well | | | | |
| as advanced and expert runs. The longest run | | | | Having held the 2006 winter Olympics at Squaw |
| is two and half miles long. | | | | Valley, there are also lots of historical and |
| | | | site seeing to be done. High Camp has an ice |
| Offering day and half day lift tickets from | | | | rink, a fine dining restaurant, and shops to |
| $68 to $42, Mt. Rose is an inexpensive option | | | | explore, not to mention a cable car ride that |
| for those that may be in Reno or Tahoe for | | | | gets you there! Squaw also has a swimming |
| other reasons and just have a day to ski. | | | | lagoon and spa, snow tubing, dog sledding |
| | | | rides, and a climbing wall. If skiing or |
| There are not lodging accommodations located | | | | boarding is not your thing, there are plenty |
| on Mt. Rose, but the short half hour drive to | | | | of other options when you visit Squaw Valley. |
| Reno make the options of lodging, gambling, | | | | |
| night clubs, and entertainment when you are | | | | The lift tickets at Squaw Valley, USA are $73 |
| not on the slopes very diverse and | | | | dollars for an adult day pass, however, they |
| accessible. Room rates and vacation packages | | | | offer great mid-week and multiple day |
| are usually less expensive in Reno than in | | | | discounts. |
| Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose gives the budget | | | | |