Two families (eight people, all good skiers) looking for good snow and good deals Christmas week. I realize the good deals part is tough during peak week, but is where is the best snow?

Tahoe snow is often marginal at Christmas. In drought years, the snow may be pretty limited up until mid-January. That said, this year looks like a change in weather patterns (El Nino), which can make for really awesome skiing (I remember three feet of powder at Kirkwood in early November one year). All it takes is one good storm to make the difference between good skiing and being stuck to the snowmaking runs, because it is easy for a storm to drop two feet up there.

Thanks. Yeah, the Nino factor is tricky. I wonder if there's any significant difference between Tahoe and Jackson in that regard.

I've been to Tahoe every year for the last few years, but I wouldn't go at Christmas if you are counting on awesome snow. It's just not something to bet on as the snow is better Feb-March. On the other hand, due to the casinos, the room rates are better than a lot of ski resorts.

Room rates are probably better at the South Shore Lake Tahoe hotels, but rates in and near the ski areas for Xmas week will be out-of-sight. It's pouring here today, which means it's probably snowing in Tahoe. People are probably making reservations as we speak.

This is a good guide for choosing an xmas ski trip:
http://webpages.charter.net/tcrocker818/

There are no deals at ski resorts at xmas. It's the most expansive time of the year by FAR--prices are 3-4x what they are before and after xmas. Any lift ticket or lesson coupons you find I guarantee are not good that week. The above poster makes a good point that in Reno or in non-slopeside towns near Tahoe, there might be relatively affordable accomodation, though I can see if you wouldn't exactly find that appealing for a ski trip (I wouldn't).

Thanks for all the help. That snow history website is great. At this point I'm guessing we should probably just head to Whistler, but were hoping to try Tahoe or Jackson for a change. Still don't know much about Jackson yet. Anybody have some input there?