Michael

How far is this from Las Vegas and how should we plan to get there?

Much too far. Check Mappy.com. Mammoth is closer but still far. It is my understanding that there actually are a couple of ski slopes close to Las Vegas, in the mountains between NV and CA.

sf7307

Do you mean you'll be in Las Vegas and want to head over to Tahoe to ski? That's not a good idea unless you'll stay for 4 or 5 days. It's about a 9-10 hour drive.

RBCal

I prefer South Shore. There are more restaurants and things to do at night. I never stay at a hotel or B&B. There are many rental condos and cabins that cost the same as a hotel. The best rentals are at

http://www.tahoeaccommodations.com/index.htm

(I have no connection to them have just rented from them many times).

One advantage to renting on the Nevada side and entering Heavenly from Nevada is that the morning skiing is warmer since it faces east. If you are a moderately skilled skier it is easy to ski back and forth between NV and CA.

sf7307

The North Shore and South Shore of Lake Tahoe could not be more different. RBCal has already noted that s/he prefers the South Shore because there are more restaurants and things to do at night. I personally dislike the South Shore because there's nothing charming about it (it's like one big strip mall), but it's true, that's where the night life is. Heavenly is a fantastic ski area, though I'm not sure if it caters to beginners, which Northstar does.

vacaciones

Thanks for the advice. I was planning 5 days in Vegas 5 days Tahoe. I am not sure it is worth it... I will check out closer mountains.

Suzie

If you will be in Veggas for 5 days and want to ski for the next 5 days think about Mammoth Lakes. Fabulous skiing conditions.

debv

Help we ski every year in Colorado we have two crazy skiers one great skiier and me not so good!! I like a ski inn/ski out two kids 13 14 want to try Tahoe but have nooooo idea where to go too many choices!! Please help give me an idea where to look!! Thanks

abram

If you don't care about a casino, we like the Squaw Valley Lodge.

sf7307

dbv, I would personally go to Northstar. It has very good difficult skiing for the better skiier (not as difficult as Squaw Valley, but still pretty darn good), and excellent lessons and areas for the novice/intermediate. Not only that, but the village is great, and there are many lodging options (which depend on your budget -- from the Ritz-Carlton on down). Their website is northstarattahoe.com

http://www.northstarattahoe.com/

Kathysa

We're thinking of getting a ski trip in to Tahoe while visiting my mother-in-law this February. How long is the drive in Feb from San Francisco to Northstar?

Michael

In good weather and good traffic, count on 4 hours. Add an hour if you feel uncomfortable about driving in winter conditions. Leave SF before 2 p.m. to avoid rush hour traffic over the bridge and around Sacramento.

sf7307

But if you return on Sunday afternoon, it could be 7 hours with traffic and bad weather! (But Michael is right, a straight shot at the right time is about 4 hours)

Emiliano

Dear friends
We are planning to go to Lake Tahoe, we are beginners from south america so we have no idea about Lake Tahoe.
Can you suggest where can it be a good place for beginners in skii and snowboard? we love sports and we did our first time last year in Winter Park Colorado and it was amazing. Now we want to be in a new place and we need some advice to chose a good place. I would like to see the lake while we do Skii. Also if you know about a cheap good hostel or B&B will be good help!!
Thanks for your reply!!

Michael

Emiliano,

Squaw or Northstar would be the place for you. I give priority to Squaw because even beginners get great views from the top of the mountain.

Michael

Emiliano,

Squaw or Northstar would be the place for you. I give priority to Squaw because even beginners get great views from the top of the mountain.

Neither resort is cheap, whether for housing or chairlift tickets. Truckee might be the cheapest place for housing within the Tahoe area proper, but you would then have to rent a car, although there is public transportation from Truckee to Squaw.

I suspect that Reno might have the cheapest accommodations.

Tomsd

The best views of Lake Tahoe - IMO - are from Heavenly Valley - although Squaw and Alpine also have some nice views.

Heavenly has plenty of beginner/easy intermediate slopes and Squaw also has a good selection. They all have good ski schools and you should consider taking a lesson - or even two. Not only does it help you improve your skiing but the instructors also show you the mountain.

Northstar is a good beginner/intermediate mountain but advanced skiers would be bored after about half a day.

Sugar Bowl was always a special place.

Tomsd

And when you add the California side to the Nevada side - I believe Heavenly is the biggest ski area/most number of runs/trails - with Squaw 2nd, and Alpine Meadows 3rd, Kirkwood 4th?

To answer a Q asked a couple of times - yes, I would consider splitting your stay - enjoying time at both ends of incredibly beautiful Lake Tahoe and skiing several areas.

rremick

While Heavenly is pretty good, its so big and I found a lot of annoying traverses. I personally love Squaw Valley the best, it has some awesome long blue runs.

Michael

I think that Northstar has longer and more runs for intermediate skiers.

Jean

Just FYI, this thread was started more than 7 years ago. Be aware that several of the ski areas mentioned (and others not mentioned) have had some major facility and amenity upgrades and, in some cases, change of ownership (and/or name changes) in recent years.