cheapboxofwine

A friend told us about the great skiing at Lake Tahoe. How will this area be for first week of April 2007? We're bound by this date due to spring break for the school age girls. Any recommendations for ski places and lodging for a family of four? Kids are 4 and 5. thanks.

padams421

If Tahoe has a good snow year, then skiing during the first week of April will be fine. Tahoe has had some great snow in recent years. If it's not a good snow year, then you will have plenty of sunshine but it will be spring conditions in the "Sierra cement" (icy in morning and slushy in afternoon). We've had good stays at the Embassey Suites in South Lake Tahoe (next to Heavenly gondola), the Hyatt on the north shore of Tahoe, and the Inn at Squaw Valley with our kids. I think there are about 15 ski resorts in the Tahoe area. We've probably skied 10 of them. Several areas such as Northstar at Tahoe are very family friendly. The only drawback of Tahoe is driving to the different ski areas. When my kids were 4 and 5, we went to ski resorts where we only had to walk to the lift (rather than drive). It makes trips back to the hotel/condo during the day far more doable (the forgotten mittens, husband wants to stay behind to make a few business calls in the morning, etc).

TTess

As long as they get snow near your date and have a good pack from the winter, you'll be fine. THere are many places for your family. Squaw the Resort at Squaw Creek. Northstar and Heavenly have accommodations or hotels very nearby. Squaw Creek and Mt. Rose have the Hyatt nearby. If your kids haven't skied before, put them in lessons, immediately, for at least a half day, each day. Another good mention for Heavenly is that if you stay at Embassy Suites, South Shore, you can take the tram directly to the resort - no driving!

crefloors

There is NO way to answer that question. Every year is different. The last two years we have had a lot of Spring snow. In fact Alpine Meadows was open til the end of May!!!!! WE are just barely starting the season so no telling at this point.

Jolie

I think this past year many of the ski places closed on April 23rd (some closed even later).

We usually stay at a hotel/casino in South Tahoe beacuse it's cheap and there are cheap shuttles from the Reno airport so no need for a car. This past winter we stayed at Embassy Suites - walking distance to Heavenly gondola and nice to have smoke- and gambling- free environment.

If you don't have a car, there may be shuttles to the various ski resorts (we took free shuttle to Sierra, my favorite because of its green runs). There was even a shuttle to Squaw, although that wasn't free (but it included the price of a lift ticket). You might want to check on the shuttle schedule - if they are not running in April, it might be good to get a car.

Siouxzee

Ski Resorts probably have to establish an end of season date as part of liability insurance so they use like the 4th Saunday in April as a good guess so as to get the most out of a season without overpaying in the event of a bad year. Squaw Valley does go a few weeks longer maybe into May if the snow is good enough. This year most of the Tahoe ski resorts had enough snow to ski into Maybut they all closed by April 23rd (except squaw). Was kinda sad.

In the first week of April they should still be open if it's a good snow year.

TTess

Whooo! Should've had my Wheaties before posting. Regarding Embassy Suites and saying "tram" I meant gondola. As for saying there is a hotel near Squaw Creek - I meant Diamond Peak...sorry.

Loki

Utah might be a safer bet for snow conditions.