The Lake Tahoe region in Northern California is an excellent destination for ski and snowboard enthusiasts. The Sierra Nevada mountains receive large amounts of snowfall from storms coming off the Pacific Ocean, resulting in great conditions for skiing and snowboarding throughout the winter.
The Northern California and Lake Tahoe region offer a multitude of options for both skiers and snowboarders. With so many different trails and slopes to choose from, everyone is sure to find the perfect spot to enjoy their time on the mountain. Whether you’re looking for a challenging slope to test your skills or a gentle trail to take in the scenery, you’ll find it all here. So come on up and enjoy the snow!
There are many resorts that are driving distance away from the San Francisco, Sacramento and Stockton regions. This makes for great day trips and longer vacations with friends and family. You can spend a day at the resort, or you can stay for a longer period of time. Either way, you will have a great time with your loved ones.
The Lake Tahoe & Northern California Region has a total of 23 ski resorts, each with its own unique atmosphere and selection of trails. Combined, these resorts offer 1228 ski trails for your skiing and snowboarding pleasure.
The average vertical drop for ski resorts in Tahoe & Northern California is 1652 feet, so you can be sure to find a trail that meets your needs and skill level. Whether you’re looking for a challenging run or a leisurely slope, the Lake Tahoe & Northern California Region has something for everyone.
Heavenly
Heavenly is a premier ski resort destination for athletes and families alike. The expansive resort is located in South Lake Tahoe, on the border of California and Nevada. It offers an impressive 94 trails to explore, 30 lifts to help you get around, and 4,800 acres to ski on. Whether you’re looking to hit the slopes or just take in the breathtaking views, Heavenly is sure to please.
Heavenly is known for its advanced terrain and large amounts of well-groomed cruiser runs.Heavenly Ski Resort is the perfect place to enjoy a winter vacation, with three different terrain parks to suit all skill levels, extensive snow making facilities, and a new tubing hill. There is also a childcare/nursery available for families with young children
- 19 Beginner Runs
- 44 intermediate Runs
- 34 Advanced Runs
Donner Ski Ranch
Nestled in the north Tahoe area in California is Donner Ski Ranch, a premier ski resort that boasts 8 lifts and 53 trails spanning 505 acres. Donner Ski Ranch is renowned for its stunning scenery and challenging terrain, making it a popular destination for both beginner and experienced skiers alike.
The slopes at the resort are great for intermediates that love long open trails, as well as beginners who make up 25% of guests. This is a great spot to learn how to ski or snowboard, with gentle green slopes that are perfect for beginners. More advanced skiers will find that there are trails branching off of the blue ridge trails. These trails are more difficult to ski on, but they offer a more exhilarating experience.
Donner Ski Ranch offers a variety of slope side lodging options, as well as lessons and rentals for those looking to get started on the slopes. tubing is also available for those who want to enjoy a more leisurely experience. simple skiing is also an option for those who just want to enjoy the scenery and the fresh air.
Donner Ski Ranch is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the more crowded resorts in the area. It was one of California’s first ski resorts and is still family owned and operated. This makes it a great place to go if you want a more personal experience.
- 15 Beginner Runs
- 25 intermediate Runs
- 5 Advanced Runs
Palisades Tahoe
Palisades Tahoe is an internationally renowned ski resort in North Lake Tahoe, California. The resort has been rated as one of the top five ski resorts in the world by Ski Magazine. Palisades Tahoe is known for its excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions, as well as its stunning views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
The Heavenly Mountain Resort is a large ski resort located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. The resort offers 6,000 skiable acres, 42 lifts and 270 trails. The European-inspired Village at Palisades Tahoe has dozens of restaurants, bars and tourist shops.
In an average season, the Palisades Tahoe ski area sees 450 inches of snowfall. This allows skiers and riders to enjoy one of the longest ski seasons in Lake Tahoe.
Palisades Tahoe and Alpine have something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or an expert.
- 25 Beginner Runs
- 40 intermediate Runs
- 35 Advanced Runs
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Sierra-at-Tahoe is one of Lake Tahoe’s largest resort areas, featuring 14 chairlifts that access 2,000 acres of skiable terrain and 2,212 feet of vertical. The resort also offers a variety of dining and lodging options, making it the perfect destination for a winter getaway at the South Shore..
Blizzard Mountain is a winter wonderland of fun! With an average of 400 inches of snow per year, it’s the perfect place to experience all your favorite winter activities. From tubing and sledding to snowshoeing, there’s something for everyone at Blizzard Mountain.
- 11 Beginner Runs
- 23 intermediate Runs
- 12 Advanced Runs
Homewood
Homewood Mountain Resort’s 1,260-acre mountain provides stunning views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding peaks. The resort features 8 lifts and 67 runs, as well as 750 acres of accessible terrain.
Homewood is the perfect place to enjoy a truly unique and memorable skiing experience. This four-season resort offers flawless grooming, hidden powder stashes, and an intimate West Shore setting steps from Lake Tahoe. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skier or snowboarder, you’ll find something special at Homewood.
- 9 Beginner Runs
- 30 intermediate Runs
- 21 Advanced Runs
Northstar at Tahoe
Northstar at Tahoe is a world-renowned ski resort located on the north side of Lake Tahoe in California. Nineteen lifts service its 92 trails and 3,000 acres, providing skiers and snowboarders with unmatched access to some of the most beautiful terrain in the area. Northstar California Resort has a large selection of both novice, intermediate and advanced terrain. With something for everyone, Northstar is the perfect place to hone your skills or conquer the mountain.
Northstar at Tahoe is a world-class resort that offers multiple mountain lodging options including the Ritz-Carlton hotel. Amenities also include a tubing hill, extended slopeside dining options, daycare, spa/fitness center, and snowmaking. This complete resort has everything you need for an unforgettable vacation. In the summer, Northstar offers lift assisted hiking and biking, golf, a ropes course, and a kids adventure day camp.
- 13 Beginner Runs
- 58 intermediate Runs
- 26 Advanced Runs
Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl Ski Resort is located in the Lake Tahoe region and is known for receiving the most snowfall out of all the ski resorts in Tahoe – an average of 500” annually.
The resort prides itself on providing visitors with an authentic, high-alpine experience. With its picturesque views and ample amount of snowfall, Sugar Bowl is the perfect place to enjoy a winter getaway.
This magnificent resort offers the skier four peaks and 98 trails of wide-ranging difficulty, as well as the only snowbound village in America. Situated just off I-80, Sugar Bowl is but a short drive from Sacramento and the Bay Area. Sugar Bowl offers 12 Lifts, 5 High-Speed Express Quads, 3 Fixed Grip Quads, 1 Fixed Grip Triple, 1 Gondola and 2 Surface Lifts.
- 14 Beginner Runs
- 38 intermediate Runs
- 25 Advanced Runs
- 7 Expert
Boreal Mountain
Boreal Mountain Resort, located near Soda Springs, CA, is the most northern ski resort in the Lake Tahoe region. With its close proximity to Interstate 80, Boreal is a convenient and popular choice for many winter sports enthusiasts. The resort offers both beginner and advanced terrain, as well as a variety of other winter activities such as tubing and cross-country skiing.
Boreal Mountain Resort is most well known for its terrain parks, Woodward Tahoe and Peace Park Tahoe. These two areas are extremely popular among those who enjoy freestyle skiing and snowboarding.
Boreal is the perfect place to visit if you want to improve your skills or learn new tricks. There is always something going on at Boreal, so you’ll never be bored! Boreal is the only mountain in the Tahoe area that offers night skiing, with lifts running from 9am to 8pm most days.
- 12 Beginner Runs
- 11 intermediate Runs
- 13 Advanced Runs