Early snow has been a welcome sight for many Lake Tahoe cross-country ski areas. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts have several options to get out on the trails.
Below is a quick look at North Shore-Truckee areas that have terrain open.
ROYAL GORGE: North America’s largest cross-country ski resort, opened
for the season Wednesday, offering 19 trails and 17 kilometers of
groomed terrain.
The Donner Summit resort’s open trails include terrain for skate
skiing, traditional cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Groomed
trails open for skiing include tracks near the Summit Station Lodge,
in Van Norden Meadow and in the Kidd Lake Track system west of Summit
Station Lodge.
TAHOE DONNER: With recent new snow, Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Area in Truckee opened for the 2015-16 season Thanksgiving Day, marking
the resort’s earliest opening in recent years.
Initial operations include 20 kilometers of terrain, with plans to
open more terrain as conditions permit. Beginner terrain open includes
Northfork, Pony Express, Lion’s Leap, Meadow Loop and Night Hawk.
Intermediate trails open include Sundance, Boothill, Big Dipper and
Rough Rider Loop.
TAHOE XC: Located in Tahoe City, Tahoe XC and the Tahoe City Winter Sports Park opened for the season Nov. 27. However, both areas closed this Thursday
until more snow falls.
Still, residents and visitors are encouraged to attend the Tahoe Cross
Country Ski Area season kick-off party from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday,
Dec. 6, at Jake’s on Lake Tahoe, 780 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City.
Cost is $25 for adults, which includes buffet and a special cocktail
and $15 for children, which includes buffet and soda. Event proceeds
will benefit the ski area.
AUBURN SKI CLUB: The Auburn Ski Club Training Center opened 4 to 5
kilometers of snowmobile-groomed trails for skating Nov. 18 with a single
track in some sections, for season-pass holders.
Snow conditions will govern if terrain is closed, or if more is opened
at the center located off the Interstate-80 Castle Peak exit in Soda
Springs.
“Skiing at ASC remains pretty dang good, though we’re looking forward
to the next storm just as much as anyone,” officials said on the
center’s Facebook page earlier this week..
Kirkwood Mountain Resort, south of Lake Tahoe opened its
Cross Country and Snowshoe Center last week. Other locations will open
as snow allows.
Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel and visit his website at www.tahoeskiworld.com.
