FirstTimers looking at the Tahoe area for a ski trip, beginners and intermediate skiers, 4 adults ,in Febuary. From what i can tell i will need a car.Any comments pertaining to where to stay,skiing, gondolas, ski lifts, and car use in the tahoe area would be appreciated? At this point i am looking at Skyauction.com and there is one Hotel-Resort called( Embassy Suite- south lake tahoe, and Lodge at lake Tahoe , both 2 bedroom accomidations, any comments? Thanks Nick

For Embassy Suites in south tahoe, you don't need a car unless you want to do other sightseeing. They are located in the center of action in town, and have a direct gondola to Heavenly ski area. You should be able to get a shuttle from Reno airport.

I'm not a big fan of Heavenly for beginner/intermediate skiers, but if you like to be close to the casinos and nightlife, it is a good choice. The north shore of tahoe has more skiing and less nightlife; Northstar, Alpine Meadows, and Squaw Valley all have excellent skiing for a group like yours.

4WD is highly recommended if you rent a car.

Northstar gets a lot of raves for what you're describing, but this year it is really torn up. Nearly the whole "village" is gone as the entire thing is being redone and upscaled. Skiing will still be great there, but the facilities right now might leave a lot to be desired, and you'd need to do a little traveling for other entertainment.

Before I got old and breakable I used to ski a lot but never out of the intermediate stage. My girl friend and I used to go up to Tahoe/Donner and loved it!!!!. We used to go up once a week in the spring...BIG discounts..they STILL are a lot cheaper than the bigger places. They have a great beginners run if you are REALLY a beginner. They have a great medium run..called Mile Run..goes around the back side of the mountain. I liked it because it was NOT steep,but was pretty long, but having said that, you could really "cook" if you just let it all go. Then they have a steep run but it's short. If you want LONG runs, then North Star is the best for that. Of course, night life and other activities will also have some influence on where you want to go and the bigger places like Heavenly and Squaw have more of that stuff.

The Donner Pass area is great and offers lots of opportunities for beginners. I've stayed at the Ice Lakes Lodge. http://www.icelakeslodge.com/ It is located within a quick drive to a handful of excellent resorts, Sugar Bowl and Boreal being two of them. Most of Boreal is dedicated to beginner and intermediate level skiers. If you're driving in from SF Bay Area or Sacramento, this is the closest place to ski.

Thanks to all for the information. We are coming from Texas , so thats why all the questions. So i assume if we rent a 4 wheel vehicle and stay in the Casino area or any other area we can commute to different lodges and ski? I will look at the Donner pass area Thanks. nick

Most people tend to stick to one end of the lake or the other on a given trip; mostly because of the extra drive. There are several good, big, ski areas both at North and South ends. If the weather is nice, and the roads clear, the drive around the lake is great, but if a storm comes in, you want to be near your lodging.

If you are coming from Texas, don't bother with the Donner Pass ski areas (Sugar Bowl, Donner Ski Ranch, Boreal, Tahoe Donner); while they have their advantages, there is no need to make the trek out there if you are staying near the lake; they are good for day-trip skiers and people staying in Truckee because of the convenience to I80.

Anywhere in Tahoe, you will find midweek skiing much less crowded and more enjoyable than weekends.

Thanks Crumudgeon. By the way anyone of you know if the gondola price ( At Heavenly )is included in the lift ticket price , i cant tell looking at there web site , and if there ski rental prices are in reasonable or should i look elsewhere? Thanks all Nick

If you're going to North Shore (I-80), I second the Northstar suggestion. I didn't know they were remodeling, but it's possible some of the condos there aren't affected. You can ski right out your door down to the lift...Ski the backside...

Sierra Ski Ranch on the South side (Hwy 50) is good for beginners and intermediates, as is Kirkwood Meadows up 89.

I'd avoid Heavenly, Squaw and the top of the summit places previously mentioned...too crowded. Northstar closes the door when it reaches its max, unlike the other areas. Yes, you need a car. Where are you flying into? Reno? Sacramento?

Try this site: http://www.skinorthstar.com/winter/deals-packages.html

Nick,
The Skyauction resort is not the Embassy Suites. It is the Embassy Vacation resort which is about 1 mile away and it does not include breakfast and is off of the slopes. Hope that helps your decision making.
Andy

I agree with North Star and Kirkwood. What about Alpine Meadows? I seem to recall some nice bowls that an intermediate could do...

Not sure where we are flying into as of now , trip plan is in feb. 05 , as of now, can deviate some ,such as late jan. Thanks for the embassy comment i will look at that again , i understand the one on sky auction has the gondola near by, thats why i asked if the lift tickets include the gondola. And thanks for the northstar and kirkwood i will look at all before making any plans. Thanks all!! NICK