Recommendations of a Lake Tahoe resort for intermediates?

[cdc28p]

I've just stumbled upon this site. What great resources! Since this is a Northeast forum (Sunapee is my base), I'm not sure if the following question is appropriate but I'll ask anyway:

Do you guys have any recommendation for a nice resort in Lake Tahoe for advanced beginners/low intermediates who don't have lots of money to spend on lift tickets? (I already spent most of my money on gears and a Sunapee-Cannon-Gunstock season pass.) I've heard that Alpine Meadows is cheap and pretty nice. Is that true?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[Catul]

Do you guys have any recommendation for a nice resort in Lake Tahoe for advanced beginners/low intermediates who don't have lots of money to spend on lift tickets?

It's been a while since we skied out West - we really enjoyed Heavenly during our trip to Lake Tahoe. Spent 4 days there, one at Kirkwood (after a powder day, which was also a blast). There are plenty of nice blue groomed cruisers at Heavenly if that's what you're after. Don't know about the money aspect though, and how lodging/lift compares to other resorts in the area.

 

[GadgetRick]

Heavenly is a great choice for that although it can get a little boring (even with the best views of the lake) since it's not a terribly challenging mountain. There are some challenging trails, however.

Kirkwood is also a great choice. It's about a 45 minute drive from Tahoe and they have trails for all skills.

I haven't skied Alpine Meadows yet but have heard good things about it. I plan on skiing it in February when I'm out there again.

There are also some other smaller resorts around. When I was there in Aprile Mt. Rose looked nice but was closed. Looks like there is a lot of intermediate terrain there, too but I don't know for sure.

Enjoy it out there. You're gonna love it!

 

[Bumpsis]

Try this link.
http://www.tahoevacationguide.com/Activities/transportation.html

I'm finding it very helpful since I'm in the middle of planning my trip to Lake Tahoe.

Move around the page and you'll find all the resorts, lift tickets, etc. All of the resorts will have the terrain you're looking for, so it's just a matter of price. All of them have stunning views and the sierras have been getting some nice snows.

Looks like most of the big resorts (heavenly, Squaw Valley, Apline Meadows)are sporting $ 60+ tickets.
You maybe able to score some ticket deals locally. Many times local hotels have discount txs.

 

[LVNLARG]

I hear Heavenly thrown around but they are the priciest tix wise. I'm thinking of going Feb and staying in Reno ...likely at the Atlantis Casino. Lodging at the Casinos is insanely cheap (Rooms starting at $20.....really nice rooms starting at $40 in Feb). The cheap lodging factor makes it a really inexpensive destination for skiing. :beer:

 

[GadgetRick]

Heavenly is the most expensive in the area from what I've seen. However, you can almost always score discount tix in the area. Don't buy them before you go unless you get a great deal. Besides, you should find out which resort has gotten the best snow when you're there. Keep your options open.

Yes, staying in the casinos is very cheap. I stay at Harvey's in Tahoe and it's inexpensive. Could stay in Reno cheaper if you want, too.

 

[dmc]

I've stayed at the north Shore Casinos before... Really cheap indeed... Also cheap casino food... I'm more of a Northshore person... Love Alpine, Squaw and taking the ride over to Sugarbowl... Kirkwood is an awesome place too...

Good intermediate hills are -
Northstar, Diamond Peak, Heavenly, Mt Rose..

 

[cdc28p]

Thanks for all the responses, guys. I was a bit scared by the $70 lift tickets at Heavenly. Alpine looks nice on the map. I'll check out the URL that one of you mentioned.

I'm thinking of staying in Reno or some of the cheap casinos too. It's really amazing how many resorts and lodgings there are in that area!!!

 

[roark]

Sliding on the cheap has a newsletter focused on Tahoe, when I lived in CA I got some great deals through them. There are frequently stay and ski packages: http://www.slidingonthecheap.com
Mt. Rose is good for beginner/intermediates and fairly convienient if your're planning on staying in Reno. I had a pass for Sierra-at-Tahoe one year, lots of variety there but further from Reno.