Donner Summit Area
Boreal Mountain Resort
Easy access, ample beginner runs, and slick terrain parks make Boreal a favorite. For extra-smooth corduroy and jumps, the mountain purchased two brand-new high-end grooming machines. Late start to the day? Boreal’s night skiing runs until 9 p.m. with soon-to-be improved LED lighting.
Tahoe Donner
Downhill Ski Area (Including Cross Country)
Ahhh, more breathing room. The acquisition of Crabtree Canyon in April by the Tahoe Donner Association will add 16 kilometers of trails to the Tahoe Donner Cross Country area this winter. Plus, skiers at the downhill area will reap the benefits of a new state-of-the-art snowmaking system, installed last winter.
Sugar Bowl Resort
Sugar Bowl wants to get you into the steeps of their backcountry offerings — or the not-so-steeps, if that’s your style. Guide company Alpine Skills International operates out of Sugar Bowl and offers a plethora of single-day or multi-day trips, avalanche education courses, and more.
Donner Ski Ranch
Tubing and skiing is what Donner does best. They remain one of California’s last independent resorts, and with affordable slope-side accommodations and dining, it’s everything a family needs.
Soda Springs Mountain Resort
To help conserve water, Soda Springs will continue its Recycled Water Initiative, launched last winter. Yes, it recycles wastewater for snowmaking purposes, but has a $24 million UV distillation investment behind it that creates pathogen-free, crystal clear H2O that is cleaner than surface water.
North Lake and West Shore
Northstar California
Get into the luxurious swing of things at Northstar. There are dining options at the mid- and upper-mountain levels, and heaps of food and shopping in the village. There’s also an ice skating rink, a bungee trampoline, and a movie theater to complement the on-snow fun. They’ve also revamped their app — the EpicMix Time — to keep you tuned in to all of the mountain’s goings-on.
Alpine Meadows
Fun events await at Alpine, from the early season to the slushy spring. Junior big mountain competitions, ski-golf (just like it sounds), alpine racing, and more fill the calendar for the skier or rider looking to do a little spectating in between ripping their legendary terrain.
Squaw Valley
Squaw’s biggest ski event in years — make that decades — will happen March 9 to 12 with the return of Alpine World Cup ski racing. Local Olympian Julia Mancuso will compete in the women’s giant slalom, alongside the biggest names in ski racing. The event will include concerts, fireworks, and parties.
Granlibakken Tahoe
The little history-rich resort that could, Granlibakken is an affordable and less-known getaway. A sledding ticket is just $16, and a ski ticket $30. With lodging deals throughout the season, and Tahoe City just minutes away, it’s an easy and tranquil option.
Homewood Mountain Resort
Homewood Snowcat Adventures is back for a second year offering rides above and beyond the resort’s chairlift-accessed slopes, and onto the flanks of Ellis Peak. Plus, free daily s’mores await everyone at the adjacent West Shore Café at 4:30 p.m.
South and East Shore
Diamond Peak Ski Resort
Diamond Peak is looking foxy at 50. Their golden anniversary year features a Wednesday 55+ ski clinic series, guided after-hours snowshoe hikes, expanded offerings at Wild Bill’s BBQ at Snowflake Lodge, decade-specific costume parties, and more.
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Sierra loves the newbie crowd, and has expanded their SMART TERRAIN environment featuring designated, sculpted slopes perfect for beginners. On the flip side, they dislike disposable water bottles and have partnered with Vapur — makers of the re-useable “anti-bottle”— and installed refillable water stations around the mountain.
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe
Significant snowmaking investments help Mt. Rose open early. Additionally, the resort went up for sale in January, so if it fits your budget, you can get that extra extra (extra) special someone a ski resort for the holidays.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Trust us, you want to take advantage of Kirkwood’s unique terrain. Expedition: Kirkwood, the mountain’s flagship instructional program, is designed to expand the boundaries of mountain exploration and offers numerous services, including daily mountain guide services and private snowcat tours.
Heavenly Mountain Resort
You might need a serious coffee intake to keep pace at Heavenly. Between the nightlife and chairlifts, it’s a nearly 24/7 endeavor. To really take it to overdrive, you can hop on a conference call between turns to keep the bosses happy at the Tahoe Mountain Lab, a shared workspace at Heavenly’s Lakeview Lodge.
