#1 - Homewood

Summary: The only ski area on the west shore of Tahoe, Homewood has the hands-down best views of the lake, and with a top-to-bottom beginner run, the view can be enjoyed by skiers of any ability. With Learn To Ski or Ride packages starting at just $59 per day (lift ticket, rental and lesson), it's also the most budget-friendly place to learn how to ski.

#2 - Kirkwood

Summary: Arguably the most remote and hardest resort in Tahoe to get to (SR-88 is the only way in or out, and is very windy and avalanche-prone), it is 100% worth it if you can get there. With no shortage of expert chutes and cliff drops, from The Wall to The Cirque, Kirkwood has plenty to keep the adrenaline going. With a peak elevation nearing 10,000 feet and the highest average snowfall in Tahoe at 500”, it deserves to be on every Tahoe skier’s bucket list.

#3 - Alpine Meadows

Summary: While lesser known than its sister-mountain Squaw Valley, Alpine is a favorite among locals, known for its relaxed atmosphere and variety of beginner to expert terrain. On your last run of the day, you can choose to wind down with a beer at the mid-mountain Chalete bar or down at the base area in one of the many dozens of adirondack chairs surrounding the open fire pits on the deck.

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#4 - Squaw Valley

Summary: If you are looking for the most extreme, challenging, and diverse terrain in Tahoe, you'll find it at Squaw. Famous for hosting the winter Olympics back in 1960, Squaw has steadily developed into arguably Tahoe's biggest mega-resort, with nearly 30 lifts across six unique mountain peaks, and a base village area complete with a full array of luxury accomodations, restaurants and retail. The only downside? Crowds. As its popularity as swelled, so has the average lift line wait, which can run upwards of 20-25 minutes on Saturdays and throughout holiday weekends.

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#5 - Sugar Bowl

Summary: The closest resort to the Bay Area, Sugar Bowl is just a few miles west of Donner Pass on I-80, which means day-trips from San Francisco can be done in usually 3 hours or less. Its location and elevation also ensures above-average snowfall, and has plenty of terrain for all abilities. Founded in 1939, it is also one of the oldest ski areas in the country.

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#6 - Heavenly

Summary: Heavenly is objectively the biggest resort in all of Tahoe, with a peak elevation over 10,000 feet and nearly 5,000 skiable acres. Famously split across the California side and the Nevada side, Heavenly has something for everyone, from wide long intermediate runs to the narrow steep chutes of the Mott and Killebrew canyons. Operated by Vail Resorts since 2002, there are no shortage of amenities, none of which are friendly on the wallet.

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#7 - Northstar

Summary: Alongside Squaw Valley, Northstar is the other mega-resort in North Tahoe. While not known for it's expert terrain by any means (pejoratively known as "flat star" by some at Squaw Valley), the team at Northstar left no stone unturned with respect to building the ultimate luxury resort. Whether staying at the Ritz Carlton located mid-mountain, or in one of the many 4-star condos in the base village, guests visiting Northstar discover a place that feels like Disneyland in the mountains.

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#8 - Mount Rose Ski Tahoe

Summary: Despite having the highest base elevation in all of Tahoe at nearly 7,900 feet, Mount Rose remains virtually unknown amongst casual skiers & snowboarders from the Bay Area. Instead, it is the most popular ski area amongst Reno residents, just 30-minutes away from downtown Reno. While it receives significantly less precipitation due to its easterly location, its high elevation means that rain is almost never a concern, even when warm subtropical storms bring the dreaded "wintry mix" to lake level.

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#9 - Sierra at Tahoe

Summary: The smallest of the three resorts in South Lake, Sierra is also the easiest to get to from the Bay Area or Sacramento. Located about 5 miles before the Echo Summit pass on US-50, Sierra is a just barely a 3hr drive from San Francisco, and is a very family-friendly resort with 75% of its terrain for beginners and intermediates.

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#10 - Boreal

Summary: If riding the halfpipe or terrain park is your jam, Boreal is for you. Its located along the highway of I-80 at the top of Donner pass, and is open for night skiing 7 days a week until 9pm. With teen and college passes for only $229 and night skiing only passes for $149, Boreal is the perfect playground for adrenaline seekers who want to maximize their hours on the hill.

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#11 - Diamond Peak

Summary: Despite it's relatively modest size, Diamond Peak has a devoutly loyal following amongst the many vacation property owners of Incline Village and Crystal Bay. Located lakeside just across the state border in Nevada, Diamond peak offers guests beautiful vistas of North Tahoe from its Lakeview Quad chairlift.

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#12 - Tahoe Donner

Summary: Tahoe Donner is the ultimate "feeder hill" for the rest of North Tahoe's larger resorts. Despite having only two chairlifts and 120 acres of terrain, Tahoe Donner does just about as many kids lessons as any of the bigger resorts like Squaw, Sugar Bowl and Northstar. With ample lodging available in Truckee and the surrounding Tahoe Donner homeowners association, it's another great spot for families introducing their children to snow sports.

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#13 - Donner Ski Ranch

Summary: Located literally across the street from Sugar Bowl, Donner Ski Ranch first opened for business in 1937, and has retained its classic charm throughout the decades. With new management taking over for the '16/17 season, the "Ranch" is starting to generate some buzz among North Tahoe locals, many of whom remember learning to ski there in the 60s and 70s. With 500 acres and 6 chairlifts spread across a front-side and back-side, there's a balance of terrain for all abilities, and even a tubing hill for families that don't ski or board.

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#14 - Soda Springs

Summary: Located just a few miles from Sugar Bowl and right off of I-80, Soda Springs is the longest running ski resort in Calfironia, and is another great option for families looking for a relaxed atmosphere and an affordable opportunity to introduce their children to snow sports.

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#15 - Granlibakken

Summary: While probably one of the least well-known ski resorts in Tahoe, Granlibakken is actually the oldest ski resort in the area, having first opened for business as Olympic Hill in 1924. Today it operates primarily as a conference center and year-round lodge with 190 rooms and over 16,000 square feet of meeting space. The ski hill remains small but lively, and you can regularly spot dozens of families enjoying the ski and sledding hill on any given weekend. Sledding costs just $16 per person and includes a saucer rental, and is completely free for kids 3 and under.

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#16 - Sky Tavern

Summary: Sky Tavern is the ultimate community-drive ski area, and is actually organized as a 501(c)3 non profit. Parent-volunteers and a robust busing program are the crucial elements of Sky Tavern's incredible eight-week Junior Ski Program, which since 1948 has taught over 100,000 kids to ski and snowboard. Open only on weekends to program participants, parents can enroll their kids in the program for just $165. Children 8 and under must enroll with a parent volunteer, or children between 9 and 18 can enroll without a parent volunteer if they particpate in the bus program.

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