Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Lake Tahoe, the country's largest alpine lake, sits between California and Nevada. It has become famous for skiing and its beautiful scenery. While the area has branched out to include outdoor recreation activities such as snowboarding and golf, it's really known for the skiing. Here are the best ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area.
Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe is the biggest bi-state ski resort in the United States. With 27 lifts and 82 runs, Heavenly has 4,800 acres of skiing and snowboarding excitement. There is skiing available for all skill sets, including a vertical drop of 3,590 feet. Heavenly offers three base lodges and five dining options on the mountain. Other highlights of Heavenly include a mountain picnic on a table carved out of snow, mountain tours, child care, two snowboard parks, nine halfpipes and ski equipment and lessons.
Squaw Valley has more than 4,000 acres of skiable terrain and was host to the 1960 Winter Olympics. The swimming lagoon and spa at High Camp (the entrance to the beginner slopes) offers an uninterrupted view of Lake Tahoe and High Sierra, and a poolside bar. The Squaw Valley Ski School has 200 trained and accredited instructors to get you to the next level as well as several equipment-rental options. Squaw Valley also has plenty for advanced skiers, including KT-22, Headwall, Granite Chief, Broken Arrow and Silverado Bowl. The 3.2-mile night mountain run provides a contrasting skiing experience like nothing else.
The Kirkwood Ski Resort offers more privacy on the slopes. It features two day lodges, six bars and restaurants, family play area, child care and children's center. With more than 65 runs and 12 lifts, Kirkwood has fun for skiers of all skill levels. For those who don't want to ski or just want a change of pace, there are dog-sled rides, snowmobiling, ice fishing, sleigh rides, massage services, snowshoeing and a park for tubing.
Alpine Meadows Ski Resort has something for everyone. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, there are more than 100 runs and 2,400 acres of skiable terrain. There are 13 lifts with one just for kids. The resort offers ski and snowboarding instructions and special interest clinics for freestyling, mogul and instructor-guided off-trail tours. There are also clinics just for men, just for women and a high-performance skiers. The day lodge features a large sundeck, indoor children's play area, restaurant, bar, cafeteria, deli and parents lounge. There's also an on-mountain restaurant and snack bar.
The Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort is a self-contained 2,500-acre year-round resort. It has more than 300 lodging units including hotel-style rooms, homes on the golf course and condos on the side of the mountain. Besides skiing and snowboarding, there's an 18-hole golf course, horseback riding, a mountain bike park, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and tubing. There's even a licensed child-care facility for kids 2 to 10. But you really came for the skiing, so with 18 lifts and a vertical drop of 2,280 feet, that's where it's at. The snowboarding terrain has more than 50 jumps.