In advance of the 2022-23 winter season, ski areas in California and Nevada are investing heavily in infrastructure upgrades including at many downhill and cross-country resorts in the Tahoe Sierra, according to a release from Ski California.
Ski California, a member organization, will host its annual Safety Day on Jan. 28, 2023, offering activities and events designed to educate skiers and riders about safety on the slopes. | skicalifornia.org
Boreal / Woodward Tahoe
Visitors can select his or her start time, arrive and get contactless mountain access at Boreal with Go Time Tickets, where ticket prices gradually decrease throughout the day. Boreal will host the Subaru Winterfest and the Boreal Banked Slalom April 8, 2023, in addition to other events.
Diamond Peak
New RFID access gates have been installed at ski lifts this season, as well as automated lift ticket pick-up kiosks for customers who purchase lift tickets online in advance. A new surface lift at the Child Ski & Ride Center makes it easier for kids ages 3 to 6 to make their first turns.
Granlibakken Tahoe
The Granlibakken Tahoe ski and sled hill is scheduled to open to the public in mid-December, though guests at the resort can enjoy the hill as early as Thanksgiving, snowfall permitting.
Heavenly Mountain Resort
The North Bowl lift was upgraded from a fixed-grip triple chair to a high-speed detachable quad, increasing uphill capacity by more than 40 percent and providing better access to underutilized terrain. The resort’s Spring Loaded event series will return, featuring the Gunbarrel 25, Pond Skim and Spring Fling Rail Jam.
Homewood Mountain Resort
As part of its forest and fuels management efforts, significant tree thinning was completed over the summer at Homewood. As a result, skiers and riders will have access to more than a mile of new tree skiing on five different runs.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Celebrating 50 years of skiing and riding this season, Kirkwood will host the 28th annual Banked Slalom this season with one day dedicated to kids and families, and the second day designed for adults who want to race through Snow Snake Gully.
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe
The $7.5 million on-mountain project includes the expansion of the Lakeview zone, trail improvements and a new express chairlift that will open this season. The beginner-rated Lakeside trail will create another, more suitable route from the top of the Lakeview lift to the Around the World ski trail, giving novice skiers and riders greater ability to enjoy lake views while accessing beginner terrain.
Northstar California
The Comstock Express lift has been upgraded to a high-speed six-person chair to reduce wait times and increase uphill capacity by nearly 50 percent. As Northstar prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary this season, TOST, one of its signature traditions will return, and for the first time, passholders will have early access to the mountain every Monday starting mid-December.
Palisades Tahoe
Set to open this season, the new Base to Base Gondola will make it possible to explore all 6,000 acres of legendary terrain at Palisades and Alpine uninterrupted. In addition, the Red Dog chairlift is being upgraded and will offer a 3-minute ride time and significant upgrades are being made to the Funitel Plaza and the Alpine Lodge. One of only four U.S. resorts featured on the World Cup circuit this season, Palisades Tahoe will host men’s slalom and giant slalom events Feb. 25 and 26, 2023.
Sierra-at-Tahoe
In 2021, the Caldor Fire blazed through Sierra-at-Tahoe affecting 1,600 of its 2,000 acres, damaging lift towers, haul ropes, disintegrating terrain park features and melting four new snowcats. Sierra-at-Tahoe will open its entire 46 trail network and celebrate the resort’s 75th anniversary. New haul ropes, chairs and communication lines have been installed on the Grandview, West Bowl, Puma Express and Nob Hill lifts, and over 14,000 fire killed and damaged hazard trees have been cut and are being removed from the resort.
Sugar Bowl/Royal Gorge
The Dining Room at the Sugar Bowl Village Lodge will reopen this winter featuring fine dining with a view.
The Sugar Bowl Uphiller will also return for its second season this winter, giving participants the ability to choose how many human-powered “Lincoln laps” they want to do – without the help of a chairlift. Royal Gorge, North America’s largest XC resort, will celebrate its 50th season this winter.
Tahoe Donner Cross Country
Tahoe Donner plans to start snowmaking at the Cross Country Center as early as mid-November. The additional snow will help maintain a more contiguous trail system all season and allow for earlier availability of cross-country lessons and programs.
Resort opening dates (as of Oct. 7)
- Boreal | Nov. 18
- Diamond Peak | Dec. 8
- Granlibakken | Dec. 16
- Heavenly | Nov . 18
- Homewood | mid-December
- Mt. Rose | Nov. 3
- Northstar | Nov. 18
- Kirkwood | Dec. 2
- Palisades Tahoe | Nov. 22
- Royal Gorge | Nov. 25
- Sierra-at-Tahoe | early December
- Sugar Bowl | Nov. 25
- Tahoe Donner Cross Country | Nov. 25
- Tahoe Donner Downhill | Dec. 9
