Home to the largest concentration of ski resorts in North America with 14 downhill ski resorts and 10 cross country ski areas, Lake Tahoe offers a variety of budget and ability-friendly options for every level of skier and snowboarder.
Coming off a season that was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, many Tahoe ski resorts scaled back overall operations. Although Covid-19 is still a factor for the 2021-22 season, many resorts are adding events and facilities that were not available a year ago.
WHAT’S NEW AT TAHOE SKI RESORTS
- Boreal Mountain: Known for its night skiing, this season Boreal will allow guests to select their start time, arrive and get contactless mountain access with “Go Time Tickets,” where ticket prices gradually decrease throughout the day.
The resort opened Oct. 29, but is now closed temporarily due to high temperatures and lack of snow.
Boreal will welcome the Subaru Winterfest March 14-15.
Woodward Tahoe’s new All Access Membership offers 360-degree access to a 16-acre hub for all things action.
- Diamond Peak: The Incline Village resort will have new glade skiing areas for skiers and riders to explore this winter.
Diamond Peak has expanded its snowmaking capabilities with four new high-efficiency snowmaking guns.
Signature events will return this season, including STOKE Mountain tours on select Saturdays, the annual Ullr Fest Party, Bonfire & Torchlight Parade, Last Tracks wine and beer tastings, Moonlight Snowshoe Tours, the 20th annual DummyDownhill, and the Luggi Foeger Uphill/Downhill Festival.
The rental shop has upgraded its entire ski rental fleet and ski/snowboard demo equipment with new, beginner/intermediate friendly skis.
- Heavenly Mountain: The South Lake Tahoe resort will continue to require cashless transactions, face masks indoors, reservations at many of its on-mountain restaurants, and vaccinations for guests ages 12-plus at indoor dining quick-service cafeteria-style restaurants.For the 2022=23 season, Heavenly is replacing an existing fixed-grip triple with a high-speed 4-person chair will increase uphill capacity by more than 40% and reduce the combined ride time of the Boulder and North Bowl lifts. This is expected to also reduce wait times at the Stagecoach and Olympic lifts.This year, reservations will not be required for skiing and riding.
- Homewood Mountain: The family-friendly resort with the fabulous lake views will be celebrating its 60th anniversary season and asking patrons to share their Homewood memories for an upcoming compiled video.
The Easy As 1-2-3 adult lesson 3-packs resumes this season, with participants receiving a season pass upon completion of the program.
Homewood is also bringing deals back this season, including the $89 Learn to Ski/Ride special valid Sunday-Friday, non-holiday, and new lift ticket 3-pack specials.
- Kirkwood Mountain: Expedition Kirkwood will offer multiple clinics and private lessons, including AIARE classes throughout the season.
The resort off Highway 88 will continue to require cashless transactions, face masks indoors, reservations at many of its on-mountain restaurants, and vaccinations for guests ages 12-plus at indoor dining quick-service cafeteria-style restaurants.
This year, reservations will not be required for skiing and riding.
- Mt. Rose: The Nevada resort, located near Incline Village, is planning a $7.5M terrain expansion in the Lakeview mountain zone, and a new high speed express lift. The project is expected to be completed ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Skiers take on a nice groomer run a year ago at Heavenly Mountain.
- Northstar California: One of three Vail Resorts in Tahoe, Northstar will continue to require cashless transactions, face masks indoors, reservations at many of its on-mountain restaurants and vaccinations for guests ages 12-plus at indoor dining quick-service cafeteria-style restaurants.
For the 2022-23 season, Northstar will have a new high-speed 6-person chair that replaces the existing mid-mountain 4-person chair and is designed to reduce wait times and increase uphill capacity by nearly 50 percent.
This year, reservations will not be required for skiing and riding.
- Palisades Tahoe: Formerly Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, the resort has installed a new surface lift in the High Camp beginner area.
The new “Take 4” lesson package will save beginner skiers and riders $240 when they commit to four lessons.
Mobile food ordering at on-mountain and Village restaurants returns this year, as well as events including Kid-O-Rama (Feb. 19-26.
Palisades will host the U.S. Freestyle Mogul Championships (March 23-27), and Winter Wondergrass (April 1-3).
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: In the wake of the devastating Caldor Fire, the venerable resort off Highway 50 is in the process of evaluating the extent of damage to the resort to determine what their operations may look like this winter.
Snowmaking guns helped limit the damage at Sierra-at-Tahoe that was created by the Caldor Fire in late August.
The resort will likely open after the New Year and will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
- Sugar Bowl: The longest-running ski resort in Tahoe will reopen its hotel again and all lodges, bars and restaurants will reopen at both resorts.
Advance purchase of lift tickets will continue to be required for all visiting guests this season.
Face coverings will not be required outdoors, including in lift lines or while riding chairlifts, but they will be encouraged indoors.
- Tahoe Donner: The resort purchased a new PistenBully snowcat to groom the mountain.
Tahoe Donner added to its transportation fleet with a new fuel-efficient shuttle bus.
Advance purchase of lift tickets, lessons and rental equipment will continue to be encouraged this season.
TAHOE SKI RESORT OPENINGS
- Palisades: Opened October 29
- Boreal: Opened October 29
- Sugar Bowl: November 26
- Tahoe Donner: November 26
- Soda Springs: November 28
- Kirkwood: December 3
- Diamond Peak: December 9
- Homewood: December 10
- Heavenly: TBA
- Northstar: TBA
- Mt. Rose: TBA
- Sierra-at-Tahoe: TBA
