Snow might not be the first thing you think of when you consider Las Vegas, but winter enthusiasts get their kicks on nearby Mt. Charleston. Sometimes aided by the use of snow machines, resorts provide multiple winter-sport activities, including skiing and snowboarding, as well as hiking and other summer endeavors.
Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort encompasses 195 acres of mountainous terrain, with 30 ski trails. You may hike an additional 250 acres of this land in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, about an hour from Sin City. Facilities here include a ski and snowboard school, restaurants and a hobby store. The resort says it averages 212 inches of snowfall per year. Summer activities include disc golf, mountain biking and lawn games.
Only a half-hour from the Strip, the Resort on Mount Charleston bills itself as "a world away in atmosphere." With the mountain looming in the distance and temperatures regularly 20 degrees cooler than the valley, it may be right. The focuses in this lodge in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest are on relaxation and scenery. The rooms feature pillow-top mattresses and free Wi-Fi, and many of them are pet friendly. Guests enjoy free parking at nearby Lee Canyon, which is a local favorite for sledding and skiing.
Visitors to Mt. Charleston also may enjoy other activities in the snow, including snowshoeing and winter wildlife watching. Travel guide website Go Mt. Charleston recommends Bristlecone trail, Sawmill picnic area, Kyle picnic area and Lee Meadows as good locations for these activities.
If possible, travel on weekdays or weekend mornings as traffic congestion is common because of the limited space and narrow roads on the mountain. You'll find food at Ski and Snowboard Resort and the Resort on Mount Charleston but no gas stations, so fill up before you come. You can check weather, road and trail conditions on the Go Mt. Charleston website before your trip.
