The skiing and snowboarding resorts in the Lake Tahoe area near Reno have a number of special events and activities during the ski season. From goofy stuff just about anyone can have fun with to serious competitions for experienced skiers and snowboarders, there is something of interest for virtually every visitor to our nearby snowy Sierra Nevada mountains.
In this digital age, you'll often find special deals on lift tickets, lessons, kids' programs, and other goodies only online at the resorts' websites. Be sure to check these when looking to save some bucks and when trolling for those unique events and activities.
Ski Resorts Events, Activities, and Deals
Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe - closest resort to Reno at 22222 Mt. Rose Highway. Information: (775) 849-0704.
- Events Calendar - Mt. Rose is known for its Santa Ski Crawl, held in December in conjunction with the huge Reno Santa Pub Crawl. Other events include, but are not limited to, a Bavarian Fest, Slide Back Retro Party, and the Pond Skim.
- Daily Specials on Lift Tickets
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe
Squaw Valley USA - south of Truckee on Highway 89 - 1960 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Valley. Information: (530) 583-6955.
- Events Calendar - Squaw Valley is easy to reach from Reno for a day of skiing, but it is also a big destination resort. There is a constant stream of activities and events, so check their calendar to see what's going on. One of the biggies is the U.S. Alpine Championships in March.
- Special Deals on Lift Tickets - Squaw Valley lift tickets are also good at Alpine Meadows, and vice versa. There is an option to add Sierra-at-Tahoe to the deal.
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Squaw Valley USA
Boreal Mountain Resort - west of Reno on I80, at the Boreal/Castle Peak exit, 19749 Boreal Ridge Road. Information: (530) 426–3666.
- Events Calendar - Boreal is known for snowboarding events, racing events, and night skiing (open till 9 p.m.).
- Special Deals on Lift Tickets - Save money on night skiing and snowboarding, kids and senior lift tickets, and lots more.
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Boreal Mountain
Diamond Peak Ski Resort - off the Mt. Rose Highway in north Lake Tahoe, 1210 Ski Way, Incline Village, NV, 89451. Great views of Lake Tahoe from this north shore resort. Information: (775) 831-3211.
- Events Calendar - Diamond Peak is operated by the Incline Village General Improvement District. The ski area is big on programs for kids. Get more details from the website and the Parks & Recreation Guide.
- Special Deals on Lift Tickets
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Diamond Peak
Alpine Meadows - 2600 Alpine Meadows Rd., Tahoe City, CA 96145, off Highway 89. Information: (800) 403-0206.
- Events Calendar - Alpine Meadows has a huge terrain park, sponsors races like the Tahoe League Series Giant Slalom, and brings big names like Olympic Gold Medalist Jonny Moseley to ski with guests. Don't miss Schlittentag in April.
- Special Deals on Lift Tickets - Alpine Meadows lift tickets are also good at Squaw Valley, and vice versa. There is an option to add Sierra-at-Tahoe to the deal.
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Alpine Meadows
Heavenly Lake Tahoe - 3860 Saddle Road, South Lake Tahoe, CA, with slopes on the Nevada side as well. Information: (800) 432-8365.
- Events Calendar - Heavenly is for you if you like nightlife, music festivals, and apres ski parties. On the slopes, the U.S. Freestyle Championships are coming in March.
- Special Deals on Lift Tickets - The big deal here is lift tickets to Heavenly also get you on the slopes at Kirkwood and Northstar California.
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Heavenly Lake Tahoe
Homewood Mountain Resort - west shore of Lake Tahoe at 5145 West Lake Boulevard, Homewood, CA. Information: (530) 525-2992.
- Events Calendar - Homewood is a fairly low key resort, but I hear they put on a killer St. Patrick's Day bash.
- Special Deals on Lift Tickets - Save money by buying lift tickets online at a discount.
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Homewood
Kirkwood Mountain Resort - on Highway 88 at 1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive, Kirkwood, CA. Information: (209) 258-6000.
- Events Calendar - Kirkwood has some cool stuff like snow cat tours and snowshoe treks. In February, look for the Swatch Freeride World Tour by North Face, combining both snowboarding and freeskiing.
- Special Deals on Lift Tickets - Get the lowest price by purchasing lift tickets online. Lift tickets to Kirkwood also get you on the slopes at Heavenly and Northstar California.
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Kirkwood
Northstar California - south of Truckee on Highway 267, 5001 Northstar Drive. If you are into luxury (and have the money), stay at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. Information: (800) 466-6784
- Events Calendar - As a destination resort with numerous amenities and a bunch of recent additions, there are lots of things going on. On the slopes, look for the North Face Park and Pipe Series in March.
- Special Deals on Lift Tickts - Get the lowest price by purchasing lift tickets online. Lift tickets to Northstar also get you on the slopes at Heavenly and Kirkwood.
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Northstar California
Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort - on Highway 50, west of Echo Summit at 1111 Sierra-at-Tahoe Road, Twin Bridges, CA. Information: (530) 659-7453. Terrain parks are big at this resort.
- Events Calendar - Check out the Burton Star Wars Experience, a program to teach snowboarding to kids using the power of the force. Telegrass is a spring event combining bluegrass music with telemark clinics, equipment demos, and beer tasting.
- Special Deals on Lift Tickets - Look online for numerous money-saving deals. If you buy the option, lift tickets to Sierra-at-Tahoe are also good at Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley.
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Sierra-at-Tahoe
Sugar Bowl - west of Reno on I80 at Soda Springs/Norden exit, 629 Sugar Bowl Road, Norden, CA. Information: (530) 426-9000. Sugar Bowl has been around a long time - since 1939. Sugar Bowl now operates nearby Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort.
- Events Calendar - One of the cool things you can do at Sugar Bowl is explore the backcountry with experienced guides from Alpine Skills International. Look for events with Olympic skier Daron Rahlves and dogsled racing in March.
- Special Deals on Lift Tickets - Check out how to get free rentals and lessons.
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Driving Directions
Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area - 11603 Snowpeak Way in Truckee, west of Reno at the Donner State Park exit. Information: (530) 587-9444. Small, family-oriented resort.
- Events Calendar - Tahoe Donner has lots of things to do for kids. Tahoe Donner's big event is its annual Torchlight Parade on New Years Eve. Skiers 10 and over can participate.
- Special Deals on Lift Tickets - Locals discounts available for residents of Reno, Truckee, and north Lake Tahoe. The season pass offers more perks than most.
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Tahoe Donner
Soda Springs Mountain Resort - west of Reno on I80 at Soda Springs/Norden exit. Information: (530) 426-3901. Soda Springs has one of the best kids' snow parks in the Lake Tahoe area. There are no big deal extra events at Soda Springs, but the resort is close to Truckee and Lake Tahoe and everything that goes on there.
- Special Deals on Lift Tickets - What's unique at Soda Springs are the snow play facilities - Tube Town and Planet Kids! There are even mini-snowmobiles for children under 100 pounds. Regular lift tickets are about the cheapest around.
- Snow Conditions and Weather Report
- Getting to Soda Springs
