The season of a lifetime
First turns were made at Mount Rose and Boreal in early November, followed by openings at Alpine Meadows, Northstar, Heavenly and Squaw Valley shortly after. The early season storms have us wondering if the rumors of a big El Niño winter might pan out in our favor. Improved snowmaking, progressive terrain parks and gondola renovations are among some of the highlights at resorts in the Tahoe Basin this season. Wax those skis and boards and get ready for the season of a lifetime.
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Alpine Meadows
Open
Skiable acres 2,400
# of Trails 100+
Vertical Feet 1,802
Terrain Parks 1
Beginner 25%
Intermediate 40%
Advanced 35%
The low-key sister to Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows continues to be a locals’ favorite stash. With new dining options, more user-friendly trail designations and guided tours, the amenities at Alpine Meadows keep growing to create a wonderful winter experience. A free shuttle and combined lift ticket allows skiers and riders to enjoy the best of both mountains in one day.
Improved grooming, snowmaking
Two new PistenBully 600 winch cats will improve high-angle grooming at Alpine Meadows this season. The cats provide more efficient fuel consumption while providing maximum ground coverage on Alpine’s signature runs.
Alpine Meadows added five new snowmaking guns that will allow the resort to expand snowmaking on the lower portion of Summit Run. The guns will allow for more consistent snow surfaces and early season snowmaking.
Family friendly terrain parks
Beginning and intermediate skiers will enjoy the addition of learning features to Alpine Meadows terrain parks. Gentle banked turns, small rollers and jumps allow skier sand riders to practices navigating man-made terrain before transitioning to larger features in the terrain parks.
Boreal
Open
Skiable Acres 480
# Of Trails 33
Vertical Feet 500
Terrain Parks 5
Beginner 30%
Intermediate 55%
Advanced 15%
The staff at Boreal is working hard to continue to improve guest efficiency and ease through convenient sales and lesson kiosks that have been remodeled to reduce time waiting in line and increase time spent on the hill. New progressive features including a 13-foot half pipe and air bags in jump landing along with a continued partnership with Woodward Tahoe allows riders to learn tricks safely.
Expanded terrain park features
A new, 13-foot half pipe will allow skiers and riders to get comfortable before dropping into the super pipe. For those having trouble sticking the landing, a new air bag jump has been installed so that skiers and riders may practice new tricks before taking them to the snow. Additionally the pirate-themed park, Neffland returns with more than 30 new and unique features.
Diamond Peak
Opens Dec. 10
Skiable Acres 655
# of Trails 30
Vertical Feet 1,840
Terrain Parks 2
Beginner 18%
Intermediate 46%
Advanced 36%
Tahoe’s mountain for kids, Diamond Peak strives to offer the best family experience. With plenty of beginner runs and terrain-based learning programs, new skiers and riders will feel confident exploring new areas. More advanced riders enjoy off-piste riding through treed glades and open bowls.
Improved glade skiing
In an effort to improve forest health, Diamond Peak has opened up tree skiing between Diamond Back and Spillway along Crystal Ridge. Skiers and riders may look forward to improve off-piste conditions thanks to forest thinning.
Pass deals
The Flex pass is the perfect deal for the weekend warrior. Available in 2- to 7-day increments, the Flex pass doesn’t have to be used during consecutive days allowing skiers and riders to save money on tickets. Additionally, the Flex pass may be transferred between guests.
This season, Diamond Peak partnered with four resorts to offer passholders a chance to explore new mountains with 24 complimentary tickets to Boreal, June Mountain Ski Area, Homewood Mountain Resort, Red Lodge Mountain, Whitefish Mountain resort and Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort. Additionally, passholders receive 50 percent off Woodward Tahoe Core memberships and summer camp programs at Boreal, plus a free one-hour session at Woodward Tahoe.
New this season, Diamond Peak offers a full refund for unused season passes before Jan. 15, no questions asked.
Senior skiing
Diamond Peak has partnered with the Incline Village Recreation Center Senior Programs to offer a 10-week ski clinic series for skiers ages 55 and older. Choose to sign up for the entire program, a five-pack of classes or drop in for a single class. Instruction is provided by PSIA certified instructors and open to levels from beginner to advanced.
Donner Ski Ranch
Opening day TBD
Skiable Acres 505
# of Trails 52
Vertical Feet 750
Terrain Parks 0
Beginner Terrain 25%
Intermediate Terrain 50%
Advanced Terrain 25%
The first resort in Tahoe to allow snowboarding and one of the oldest resorts in the Western U.S., Donner Ski Ranch continues to invite skiers and riders of all abilities to enjoy some of the best views of Donner Lake and beyond. The Learn to Turn package allows beginner skiers and riders to enjoy a group lesson with equipment rentals and lift tickets.
Enjoy throwback pricing during Old School Days. After Jan. 1, skiers and riders can enjoy prices from the past every Tuesday to Thursday with $30 adult tickets and $15 child tickets. Add a group lesson for an additional $12 to complete the package.
Granlibakken
Opens Dec. 13
Skiable Acres 10
# of trails 1
Vertical Feet 300
Terrain Parks 0
Beginner Terrain 25%
Intermediate Terrain 40%
Advanced Terrain 35%
Granlibakken is the perfect slope for beginner skiers and riders to escape the crowds and enjoy solitude. Affordable lift tickets and group lessons are offered Friday through Monday, and when the legs get tired, Granlibakken’s sled hill offers a way to keep the adrenaline flowing. Guests at Granlibakken receive half off skiing and sledding.
For those who enjoy the uphill as much as the downhill, Granlibakken offers 74 acres of trails to explore by ski or snowshoe. Guests enjoy easy access to Page Meadows and the Tahoe Rim Trail for those who wish to explore Tahoe’s back country.
Heavenly
Open
Skiable Acres 4,800
# of Trails 97
Vertical Feet 3,500
Terrain Parks 3
Beginner Terrain 15%
Intermediate Terrain 50%
Advanced Terrain 35%
Straddling the boarder of California and Nevada, Heavenly embraces the combination of adrenaline-pumping mountain culture and rowdy nightlife of Stateline’s casino scene. From progressive terrain parks and rolling glades to hot après parties and booming, on-mountain music, Heavenly offers the best of all that South Lake Tahoe has to offer.
Celebrating 60 years
Heavenly Mountain Resort celebrates its 60th anniversary this season with two weeks of retro parties, concerts and skiing. Winter Ignite spans from Dec. 2 to 12 will include on-mountain parties with the pop-up DJ cat and a themed show at Unbuckle après parties. The festival culminates with a surprise headliner show in the Heavenly Village on Dec. 12.
Après parties
At Heavenly, the party starts on the mountain with the on-snow DJ cat. A custom-built mobile DJ station on a retired grooming machine, the DJ cat brings the party to skiers and riders.
After a full day of riding, head to Tamarack for the Unbuckle Après Party featuring live DJs, the Heavenly Angels and half-priced drinks with a beautiful alpine lake backdrop.
Heavenly Alpine Coaster
Heavenly Mountain Resort has started construction on the new Alpine Coaster, which will open next summer as part of the Epic Discovery summer park.
Homewood Mountain Resort
Opens Dec. 11
Skiable Acres 2,010
# of Trails 64
Vertical Feet 2,510
Terrain Parks 6
Beginner Terrain 15%
Intermediate Terrain 40%
Advanced Terrain 45%
A hidden gem on the West Shore, Homewood Mountain Resort offers something for all abilities including wide, open beginner runs near the base area, hidden powder stashes in the trees and multiple terrain parks. Located on the shores of Lake Tahoe, the views are unbeatable. Expanded terrain offerings, new terrain parks and dining options are just a few of the improvements skiers and riders can enjoy this season.
Cat skiing
Homewood Snowcat Adventures debuts this season offering access to 750 acres of back-country skiing and riding on the flanks of Ellis Peak. A Bombardier Snowcat with room for 10 people will transport guests to the 8,740-foot summit where participants will enjoy panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and Desolation Wilderness before enjoying descents of up to 1,928 feet.
All-day packages feature small group sizes of up to 10 skiers and riders with guides trained by the North American Ski Training Center. All-day packages are offered for $399.
Get the shot
Homewood Mountain Resort partnered with Cape Productions to offer a unique way for guests to capture their resort experience. Cape Productions provides drone film services to resort guests. The drones are equipped with tracking equipment so all resort guests have to do is strap on an armband and let the drone follow and do the work. Don’t settle for the same old Instagram shots this winter.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Open
Skiable Acres 2,300
# of Trails 87
Vertical Feet 2,000
Terrain Parks 2
Beginner Terrain 12%
Intermediate Terrain 20%
Advanced Terrain 38%
Expert Terrain 30%
Well off the beaten path, Kirkwood offers an experience that is worth the drive. Boasting an average annual snowfall of 600” and some of the gnarliest terrain, Kirkwood draws hardcore skiers and riders who seek the lightest snow and adrenaline-pounding runs to its slopes. Despite its reputation for legendary terrain, skiers and riders of all abilities will find something to enjoy at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
Live, streaming weather
This season, Kirkwood launches its live, streaming daily weather reports offering skiers and riders the ability to see snow conditions, weather, road conditions and terrain openings and closures from any desktop, tablet or mobile device. Each weather report will be a 5-minute clip using GoPro cameras to give consumers the most accurate conditions based data available. Check it out at news.livestream.com.kirkwoodmtn.
Expedition: Kirkwood
Expedition: Kirkwood continues to offer some of the most unique lessons starting with specialty, skills-based clinics and women’s clinics to guided cat skiing tours and avalanche certification courses. This season, the program has expanded to include clinics for skiers to learn to tackle the steeps, cornices and bowls, and navigating chutes.
Children can join the fun with the Junior Expedition Team. Last season, many athletes from the team went on to perform at National competitions. Visiting children may enjoy three-hour All Star clinics offered daily.
Mount Rose
Open
Skiable Acres 1,200+
# of Trails 60
Vertical Feet 1,800
Terrain Parks 3
Beginner Terrain 20%
Intermediate Terrain 30%
Advanced Terrain 40%
Expert Terrain 10%
Perched high above Lake Tahoe, Mt. Rose boasts the highest base elevation in Lake Tahoe at 8,260 feet. With panoramic views of Lake Tahoe, Reno and the Carson Valley and plenty of varied terrain for all skiers and riders, Mt. Rose is a must-ski location. This season marks the resorts 50th anniversary.
Expanded beginner terrain
Last summer, the resort relocated the former Ponderosa Chairlift to provide access to more beginner terrain. The newly named Wizard chair opens a new section of intermediate runs. As well, an expanded snowmaking system has allowed the resort to open earlier than ever.
Night skiing offered
This season, Mount Rose will offer night skiing on the Flying Jenny Conveyor Belt on Friday and Saturdays until 7 p.m. Skiers and riders will enjoy a variety of terrain park features while skiing under the stars.
Northstar
Open
Skiable Acres 3,170
# of Trails 97
Vertical Feet 2,280
Terrain Parks 7
Beginner Terrain 13%
Intermediate Terrain 60%
Advanced Terrain 27%
Luxurious accommodations and fine dining combined with perfectly groomed runs and carefully sculpted terrain parks makes Northstar a favorite winter destination for skiers and riders of all abilities. Throw in family friendly après including ice skating, movies and crafting to make Northstar a choice spot for the holidays. The Northern Lights festival begins the day after Thanksgiving with a tree lighting ceremony with sleigh rides, s’mores and holiday music.
Parks and Pipes
Northstar’s progressive terrain parks are carefully designed by Snow Park Technologies to guide riders through introductory jumps and jibs to features designed for the resort’s professional athletes. The Ripperoo Riglet Park is designed to introduce younger children to the sport through features that teach proper body positioning.
Skiers and riders looking to jump into freestyle terrain can check out the Burton Progression Park. Each feature is a smaller version of larger terrain features with gentle landings that offer a less intimidating learning experience.
The Stash is known for terrain designed by natural materials such as tree jibs and road jumps. The Stash is one of six all-natural terrain parks developed by Jake Burton, the Burton team and Snow Park Technologies.
Multi-level groups of skiers and riders should head to Moonshine for an exciting mix of features of all sizes and difficulties.
Gondola Revamp
During the summer of 2015, Northstar’s Big Springs Express gondola received a makeover and mechanical updates. Both portals of the gondola have been renovated to provide a more efficient travel time.
Family Après Snow Play
Northstar’s Family Après Snow Play offers an arena of interactive snow sculptures and features, fun kid-centric coaching and play with Northstar’s professional instructors, music and a festive atmosphere ideal for families and children. Located at The Village Overlook above the skate arena, the Après Snow Play area allows for additional activities during select weekends and holidays.
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Opening Day TBD
Skiable Acres 2,000
# of Trails 46
Vertical Feet 2,212
Terrain Parks 6
Beginner Terrain 25%
Intermediate Terrain 50%
Advanced Terrain 25%
With 320 acres of back-country terrain, carefully crafted terrain parks and plenty of kid-friendly terrain, Sierra-at-Tahoe offers something for the entire family. On-mountain day care gives mom and dad the opportunity to take a few run in the trees or through Huckleberry Canyon. And, the new Solstice Plaza features an outdoor patio with new retails shops and the Solstice Eatery and Corkscrew Bar. The Plaza is where skiers and riders can meet for free concerts during sunny spring days.
Increased Wi-Fi connectivity
Guests will have access to free WiFi in the Sierra-at-Tahoe base area, which will give them better connectivity with friends and family on and off the mountain. Guests are encouraged to share content of their experience at Sierra-at-Tahoe including videos, photos and Snapchats, as well as interacting with the Sierra Mobile App, which can gauge a skiers’ speed, distance, vertical number of runs and even daily calories burned over the course of the season.
Enhancement of Learn to Ride Program
The Burton Backhill snowboard is a reissue of a classic early 1980’s board that became the inspiration for many kids to stand sideways. Sierra will use it as a learning tool both on dry land and on snow lessons. Call it Biglet, big kids can now experience what little kids have been enjoying in Riglet Parks, learning balance, movement and control on a throwback board that started it all. The boards will be available in beginner lessons and at Blizzard Mountain, Sierra’s snow play and tubing adventure park.
Soda Springs
Opening day TBD
Skiable Acres 200
# of Trails 15
Vertical Feet 650
Terrain Parks 1
Beginner Terrain 30%
Intermediate Terrain 50%
Advanced Terrain 20%
Soda Springs was once home to leather boots and wooden skis. While much has changed since then, Soda Springs still offers the same small resort feeling making it a family friendly destination. Affordable lesson packages are offered to first timers of all ages in a non-intimidating environment. The Planet Kids moving carpet offers a separate learning area for younger skiers and riders.
In addition to skiing and riding for all levels, Soda Springs boast a family friendly fun center. Kids drop in at Tube Town, which features a 390-foot moving carpet that brings riders to the top of up 20 tubing lanes. The Super Tuber cross features bumps, rollers and banked turns for an exhilarating ride. Kids ages 6 to 12 can take a spin on mini snowmobiles after a day on the hill.
Squaw Valley
Open
Skiable Acres 3,600
# of Trails 170+
Vertical Feet 2,850
Terrain Parks 4
Beginner Terrain 25%
Intermediate Terrain 45%
Advanced Terrain 30%
Squaw Valley continues to expand its offerings both on and off the hill. New additions and renovations to lifts and the return of the WinterWonderGrass Festival in April are some of the highlights skiers and riders can look forward to this season.
Connecting the dots
Skiers and riders in the Tahoe Basin have long wondered whether Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows could be combined into one mega-resort. This past spring, Squaw Valley Ski Holdings announced plans for a gondola connecting the two resorts.
The proposal follows a successful partnership between Squaw Valley Ski Holdings and Troy Caldwell, the owner of a strip of private lane called White Wolf, which separates Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. The partnership is just the first step in the planning. The project still needs approval from Placer County and the U.S. Forest Service.
The current plan is for a gondola that will connect the two resort base areas via the KT-22 ridgeline. A decision has not been made regarding whether skiing will be allowed in the White Wolf terrain. The proposal has been met with some backlash from community members who are concerned about the impact the gondola will have on the Granite Chief Wilderness area and the Five Lakes hiking trail, while Squaw Valley Ski Holdings and Caldwell say that they are working with a resort planning group to create a design that minimizes the impact on the surrounding terrain. A final plan will be released in summer 2016.
Speaking of new lifts, Squaw Valley will debut its new Siberia Express this season with a high-speed, six-passenger chairlift to provide more efficient access to Siberia Bowl, Mainline and the Mainline Terrain Park.
World Cup returns to Squaw Valley
Squaw Valley is set to host the best skiers and riders in a variety of disciplines as the FIS Freestyle World Cup returns to the resort from March 11 to 13. Home of the 1960 Olympics, Squaw Valley played a key role in the early days of the FIS Alpine World Cup, last hosting a tour stop in 1969. Cross racing pits four athletes against each other to race head-to-head down a course of jumps, bumps and berms. Snowboardcross made its Olympic debut in 2006, with ski cross in 2010, and both events were among the top spectator events in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Burton hosts ladies clinics
Squaw Valley has partnered with Burton Snowboards to host Burton Relax & Ride , a learning program for female snowboarders. The program includes the Burton beginner rental set up, a two-hour lesson and an afternoon mini-spa treatment. It’s open to groups of four to six and costs $249 with lift ticket or $189 for season pass holders.
Sugar Bowl
Opens Nov. 26
Skiable Acres 1,650
# of Trails 103
Vertical Feet 1,500
Terrain Parks 3
Beginner Terrain 17%
Intermediate Terrain 45%
Advanced Terrain 38%
Perched atop Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl focuses on catering to the skier experience. A new partnership with Snow Park Technologies will provide improved terrain parks this season and a new partnership with Woodward Tahoe means that riders can practice new tricks before taking them to the park.
Flowing terrain parks
New this season, Sugar Bowl opens its much-improved and relocated terrain parks located beneath the Mt. Lincoln Express Chairlift with features ranging from gentle beginner terrain to advanced kickers and rails. The Caboose terrain park will continue to operate under the Mt. Judah lift.
Fast access to Royal Gorge
Sugar Bowl Resort will open a new cross-country rental, lesson and gear room for cross-country skiers in the Sugar Bowl Village near the Mt. Disney Express chairlift.
The Village Station is another example of the increasingly seamless connection between the downhill ski runs of Sugar Bowl Resort and the cross-country trails of Royal Gorge. Overnight guests at the Sugar Bowl Lodge will find Village Station’s full cross-country services only steps away from their rooms. Season passholders of the Sugar Bowl/Royal Gorge combo pass can downhill ski and cross-country ski the same day with a more complete set of services at the Sugar Bowl village.
Along with the new cross-country portal at Sugar Bowl, Royal Gorge is also adding a 10km trail called Thor’s Run to its trail system, which already ranks as the largest in North America.
Tahoe Donner
Opens Dec. 11
Skiable Acres 120
# of Trails 14
Vertical Feet 600
Terrain Parks 3
Beginner Terrain 40%
Intermediated 60%
Advanced 0%
Tahoe Donner remains one of the best places for first-time skiers and boarders with a committed learning program for kids as young as 3. Children can improve his or her mountain skills with recreational ski and snowboard teams. Tahoe Donner also has a competitive race team for kids interested in skiing gates.
This season, Tahoe Donner introduces a new run, Leary’s Laugh, in honor of a Tahoe Donner employee who died last season. The run takes skiers and riders on a meandering adventure through the trees.
Added snowmaking
Tahoe Donner broke ground on a new snowmaking system using silent PoleCat machines. The new system will include seven new machines that will allow Tahoe Donner to proved improved snow coverage during early season conditions. Tahoe Donner is the first resort in the area to install PoleCat snow machines. The PoleCat system is significantly quieter and more energy efficient compared to other popular snowmaking systems.
