Tahoe Area skiing- your favorites?

[frapcap]

A friend and I area planning a trip to the Tahoe region in January. Staying at the Olympic Village. I know there is a buttload of skiing within an hour and its hard to choose where we want to hit. Northstar on Plutos Peak looks amazing, as does Mt Rose.

What are your "must not miss" that you guys would highly recommend, and some that you would skip in favor of others?

Thanks a ton!

 

[C-Rex]

Don't miss Kirkwood

 

[Puck it]

Sugar Bowl

 

[Smellytele]

Squaw obviously. Alpine Meadows. Mt Rose's Chutes are great. Also Mt Rose has the highest base elavation so if it is raining down by the lake it very well could be snowing there as it was when I went. Sugarbowl is fun as well. Kirkwood is a haul from the North shore. I didn't like Northstar but I heard when it is windy it is the place to be.

 

[thetrailboss]

Second Squaw (obviously). The only other place I've been to is Homewood and it's pretty chill.

 

[mattchuck2]

Squaw/Alpine and Kirkwood. Northstar is complete garbage unless you really like park skiing and eastern-type boring cruisers. Next time I go, I'm going to his some of the smaller places (Homewood, Mount Rose, etc. because I didn't get the chance last time).

 

[snoseek]

Squaw, Alpine, Mt Rose, Sugarbowl. If the winds or storms crank up go to Homewood or Northstar. As previously mentioned Kirkwood is really far, like two hours otherwise I would add that on. Have fun

 

[snosharkrider]

If you're skiing/riding with people of mixed abilities (ie SPORES) Diamond Peak has some awesome views of the lake as well a mid-mountain lodge with some killer views. Overall though it is not a challenging mountain.

I love Homewood; I always call it Tahoe's Magic Mtn. Best skied after a lot of snow. In the spring it is possible to ski the morning and charter a fishing boat for the afternoon (cold, very cold).

I agree with SmellyTele "I didn't like Northstar but I heard when it is windy it is the place to be. I didn't like Northstar but I heard when it is windy it is the place to be." I've only skiied Northstar when everywhere else was either closed or would be uncomfortable. Not a big fan of Northstar's vibe but flexibility is key when if one is on vacation and days are limited. given how much weather changes by altitude and location

Squaw is massive and a must ski (stop and get cliche tourist picture by Olympic flame) but I like Alpine Meadows better especially in the spring when bands are playing on the deck of the lodge.

Heavenly is also a must ski but I dont like that side of the lake with all the casinos and touristy vibe.

 

[frapcap]

Sugarbowl and Alpine Meadows looks really awesome, especially since they're insanely close to the Olympic Village.

Thanks for the tip on Mt Rose having the highest elevation and to head there in case of rain, thats much appreciated!

Do a lot of these places get crowded, or are they pretty thin in terms of attendance since there are so many ski areas in the region?

 

[thetrailboss]

I know that folks complain of crowds at Squaw because they have been selling more discount season passes. But it is a huge place so you can find some room. It's just getting out of the base area....via the Funitel, Tram, or if it still runs, Squaw One.

 

[jimk]

Honestly, some great skiers spend their whole lives skiing Squaw, so if you're right there at the village at the base you could easily spend your whole trip on that mtn. I was there on Jan 2, 2013 and it was pretty busy, but not bad away from the lifts serving the most popular intermediate runs. There is an impressive amount of terrain in the single/double black diamond and extreme categories. If you have more than four ski days then Alpine Meadows is only about a 15 minute drive to the south. Homewood is about 30 minutes south and though much smaller, has very scenic lake views and low crowds. Sugarbowl is not too far to the north. Tons of choices. Kirkwood is awesome, but too far from where you are staying for a day trip since so much good stuff closer. You need a longer vacation and someone to carry your skis > me

 

[Savemeasammy]

I would stick to Alpine and Squaw. The Sierra Crest squeezes all the snow out of the storms and dumps on those areas (plus the terrain is awesome). The areas on the other side of the lake like Mt. Rose and Incline don't get as much snow. I will also throw in a vote for Kirkwood - I only went once, but it was well worth it. Stay away from Northstar. It sucks!

 

[Smellytele]

I would stick to Alpine and Squaw. The Sierra Crest squeezes all the snow out of the storms and dumps on those areas (plus the terrain is awesome). The areas on the other side of the lake like Mt. Rose and Incline don't get as much snow. I will also throw in a vote for Kirkwood - I only went once, but it was well worth it. Stay away from Northstar. It sucks!

Sugarbowl is also on the Sierra Crest. Also as I said I have seen it raining at Squaw and AM and snowing at Rose...

 

[snoseek]

Yep, Squaw sits pretty low, can get cement when Rose is getting blower. The terrain on Mt rose is pretty sweet also, those slides are plenty steep. Northstar, while not having the terrain you travel to Tahoe for, is sometimes the only game in town on a storm day. I've yet to ski Sugarbowl as for me its a drive but have heard great things.

 

[skiberg]

If you want to ski some serious steeps go to MT. Rose and ski the Chutes. They are VERY steep. I would venture to guess amongst the steepest inbounds identified trails in NA. Very, Very Fun. I have some great pictures of me and my boys skiing hem this past April but I cant figure out how to upload them.

 

[Bene288]

I'm curious about this thread. I'm going to Tahoe late January, planning to ski Heavenly and Kirkwood. Pros, cons?

 

[Smellytele]

I'm curious about this thread. I'm going to Tahoe late January, planning to ski Heavenly and Kirkwood. Pros, cons?

With him staying North Lake tahoe the talk moved that way

 

[snoseek]

I'm curious about this thread. I'm going to Tahoe late January, planning to ski Heavenly and Kirkwood. Pros, cons?

By all means buy a pass if You're planning on skiing more than four days, most people like Kirkwood more, I'd agree. What kind of skiing do you like to do?

 

[BeefyBoy50]

I'm curious about this thread. I'm going to Tahoe late January, planning to ski Heavenly and Kirkwood. Pros, cons?

I skiied tahoe last year late january and it was overall a good experience but the conditions weren't excellent most days.

Squaw first day was frustrating because I could see incredible terrain all over the mountain but it was pretty icy and VERY windy. We still had fun and found some nice snow hidden by granite chief but other than that it wasn't too good. This has happened both times I have been to Squaw, I see all the potential it has but the snow was never up to my expectations and the crowds were heavy both times.

Heavenly is often called over-rated but it really is great because there's something for anybody to enjoy there. Steep stuff in Killebrew and Mott Canyons, great cruisers all over the place, and the best trees I think i've skiied anywhere. When we went there both times the new snow was under-reported. It said a couple inches but on the trees underneath the dipper chair, milky way bowl (really nice) and in ski ways glades, there was at least a foot. Also, we avoided the lines pretty easily because of the size. If you want to spend at least half an hour cruising go from the top to the bottom.

Northstar is the other place I went around lake Tahoe. Nice for cruising and terrain parks if you're into that but the mountain, even though it is supposedly thousands of acres, skis small because the runs are so short and similar. It's worth a day trip because the conditions there are consistent but only a day trip compared to the other great areas nearby.

 

[jimk]

I'm curious about this thread. I'm going to Tahoe late January, planning to ski Heavenly and Kirkwood. Pros, cons?

Heavenly tends to be a lot busier. Like Squaw, it seems to have enough renown to draw an international crowd. If you're considering both Heavenly and Kirkwood and your visit includes a weekend, then maybe keep Heavenly to the weekdays. The scenery at Heavenly is awesome and it's a big place. However, I like the snow and terrain better at Kirkwood and it was a ghost town on three weekdays I spent at Kirkwood last January.