Wondering where to
go for the best western snow? Lake Tahoe… where they measure
snow in feet, not inches! Need more reasons to go
to Tahoe this spring… here are a few:
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Squaw Valley Resort, California
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How about 18 resorts all within an hour’s drive? The incredibly scenic Lake Tahoe Basin,
straddling the California Nevada border, offers 24,000-ski
able acres – with some the biggest resort names in the ski biz:
Heavenly, Squaw, Kirkwood, Alpine Meadows, Northstar …and the
list goes on.
Heavenly
Lake Tahoe |
Starting on the North Shore,
we skied 5 resorts in 2 states in one week. If your kids like
Terrain Parks –
Northstar is Tahoe’s epicenter of parks and pipes, including
Jake Burton’s latest terrain creation “The Stash.” Parents will
love Northstar’s stunning new slopeside Village (think Tremblant
with warm California sun and a friendly English-speaking
staff).
Northstar at Tahoe, California |
Next on our Tahoe tour was
Alpine
Meadows. We quickly keyed in on why locals love Alpine –
above tree line wide-open bowls skiing, and a “have-at-it”
backcountry policy when you want to venture off the
multi-faced terrain on the trail map. Alpine has no base village
or on-site lodging, and doesn’t attract the throngs that
neighboring Squaw does.
Alpine Meadows, California |
With 34 lifts (the most
advanced lift system in U.S.) and 16 designated bowls,
Squaw Valley
is the big daddy of Tahoe’s North Shore. The Village at Squaw
has international flair, reminiscent of the first US - hosted
Winter Olympics here in 1960. Name dropping and cliff jumping
are big at Squaw. Ski Olympic Lady where New Englanders Penny Pitou and Tom Corcoran competed back in the day. Then make your
22 kick turns down the legendary KT-22, one of many steep, snowy Squaw
chutes featured in ski films from Warren Miller to Matchstick
Productions.
Squaw Valley, California |
Stay slopeside at Squaw to
savor California style après ski. The Resort at Squaw Creek is
posh, or The PlumpJack
Inn at Squaw Valley has the best fireside bar, a view of the
Cable Car from the outdoor pool and hot tubs, and the best breakfast in
the Valley.
PlumpJack
Squaw Valley Inn, California
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Skiing state to state may
sound like a haul, but its really quite Heavenly. The largest
ski resort is located on the South Shore -
Heavenly
spans 4,200-acres from California to Nevada. Heavenly is also
the most scenic, with eye-popping views of the cobalt-colored
waters of Lake Tahoe at every turn.
Heavenly
Lake Tahoe
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On the mountain, the region's highest summit at 10,040-feet, Heavenly has groomed
to perfection cruisers, and jackpots of glades. After
you dice the powder all day, you can roll the dice all night at Heavenly’s casinos. There’s a mini-Vegas at the base of
Heavenly’s Gondola with a non-skiers’ haven of shops, bars, and
nightlife. Or you can opt for the more laid back Californian
lodging at Lakeland Village (where you can hop a free shuttle to
Heavenly Village for sushi or slot machines).
Heavenly Lake Tahoe
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You must make a day trip from the South Shore to Kirkwood, just
35-miles from Heavenly.
Kirkwood
makes the list of extreme skiers for its “steep and deep” –
measuring the most snow in the Tahoe region. This is the only
resort we skied without a view of Lake Tahoe – so there was no
distraction while descending “The Wall.”
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- With epic snows in the past week and warm west coast sunshine,
Tahoe is the place to go this spring. Pack your bags, your
powder skis and your sunscreen – because you will likely get
deep snow and a raccoon tan as you ski your way around the "Jewel
of the Sierras."
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- Warning: you will be
captivated by the deep sapphire hue of Lake Tahoe as you carve
the surrounding blue and black diamond ski trails. Tahoe means
“lake in the sky,” at 6,200-feet above sea level and 1,645-feet
deep, Lake Tahoe never freezes and remains the crystal clear
centerpiece of this picturesque playground all year.
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