Tahoe Ski World

skiing in Lake Tahoe

Opening dates for several Tahoe ski resorts

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It’s still premature to be looking ahead at the 2025-26 ski season. However, several Tahoe ski resorts recently announced their projected opening date.

One of three ski resorts in Tahoe, Northstar California is known as a very family-friendly location with terrain for all levels.

The three Vail Resorts in Lake Tahoe – Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood – have a projected opening day, along with Palisades Tahoe.

In the Tahoe region, the Vail Epic Pass is three-fold with Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood all offering their own unique flavor for a winter ski trip.

  • Heavenly, Opening Nov. 21: Ski and ride across two states of terrain, including signature glades and steeps, while taking in the views of gorgeous Lake Tahoe. At the end of the ski day in South Lake Tahoe, there are restaurants, breweries, bars and casinos to keep the party going.
  • Northstar, Opening Nov. 21: On the northside of the lake near the town of Truckee, Northstar offers a good location for the whole family. It has a cozy winter village, a variety of terrain for all levels, and signature traditions like ice skating and S’Mores.
  • Kirkwood, Opening Dec. 5: For a more rugged and remote experience about 35 to 60 minutes (depending on weather conditions) from Heavenly, Kirkwood offers a true mountain escape and big-time terrain at a resort that typically is less crowded than the two other Vail Resorts.

    Palisades Tahoe is hoping the conditions are good enough for an opening day prior to Thanksgiving weekend.

“Winter is just around the corner and now is the time to get your ski plans out of the group chat and make them a reality,” a Vail Resort press release stated.

Epic Passes are now on sale for the lowest price before an increase arrives after Sept. 1. There’s an option for every skier and rider, whether you’re a first-timer or a longtime skier or rider. The 2025/26 Epic Pass ($1,075 adults; $548 children) offers unlimited, unrestricted access to Vail Resorts’ 42 mountain resorts.

Previously, Vail Resorts announced it is cutting lift ticket prices in half for friends of Epic Pass Holders with the new Epic Friend Tickets.

Palisades Tahoe announced its planned first day of the coming season is Nov. 26 – the day before Thanksgiving.

Last season was the resort’s 75th anniversary and Palisades Tahoe enjoyed a 185-day season that stretched from Nov. 22 to Memorial Day. A series of late-season storms hammered the Sierra, dropping a season total of 392 inches of snow at Palisades Tahoe.