Truckee and North Lake Tahoe are home to 12 world-class ski resorts and cross country centers just minutes from Village at Gray’s Crossing. And most with incredible snowmaking systems, the ski season usually runs from late-November to mid-April. Don’t forget the amazing bluebird days and astonishing views of Lake Tahoe that can be seen from most resorts.
As temperatures are shifting and winter approaches, Truckee and North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are gearing up for the 2021-22 winter season with investments in infrastructure, facilities improvements and technology that will continue to allow for fast, contactless lift access, reservations and payment, and high-quality experiences. Read on to find out more about what’s happening at our favorite Lake Tahoe ski resorts.
NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA
Although opening day has been postponed, the Village at Northstar is open for shopping and dining. The resort will continue to require cashless transactions, face masks indoors, reservations at many of its on-mountain restaurants, and vaccinations for guests ages 12+ at indoor dining quick-service cafeteria-style restaurants. This year, reservations will not be required for skiing and riding.
PALISADES TAHOE
With a new name honoring the rich ski history of its mountains, Palisades Tahoe has formed a long-term partnership with the Washoe Tribe to help educate resort guests and the community about their history and culture. Tribe members host monthly Washoe Cultural Tours, have an exhibit at High Camp, and will help rename the Squaw One chairlift. This season, a new surface lift has been installed in the High Camp beginner area, and the new “Take 4” lesson package will save beginner skiers and riders $240 when they commit to four lessons. Mobile food ordering at on-mountain and Village restaurants return this year, as well as events including Kid-O-Rama (Feb. 19-26), The U.S. Freestyle Mogul Championships (March 23-27), and Winter Wondergrass (April 1-3).
SUGAR BOWL AND ROYAL GORGE
The Hotel at Sugar Bowl and all lodges, bars and restaurants will reopen at both resorts, however advance purchase of lift tickets will continue to be required for all visiting guests this season. Sales of daily lift tickets, rentals and lessons will begin next month. Face coverings will not be required outdoors, including in lift lines or while riding chairlifts, but they will be encouraged indoors.
BOREAL AND WOODWARD TAHOE
Select your start time, arrive and get contactless mountain access at Boreal with “Go Time Tickets,” where ticket prices gradually decrease throughout the day. Boreal will welcome the Subaru Winterfest March 14-15, 2022, and Woodward Tahoe’s new All Access Membership offers 360-degree access to a 16-acre hub for all things action sports.
DIAMOND PEAK
Forest health initiatives that included brush and small tree clearing have resulted in new glade skiing areas for skiers and riders to explore this winter. In addition, the resort’s signature events will return this season, including STOKE Mountain tours on select Saturdays, the annual Ullr Fest Party, Bonfire & Torchlight Parade, Last Tracks wine and beer tastings, Moonlight Snowshoe Tours, the 20th annual DummyDownhill, and the Luggi Foeger Uphill/Downhill Festival.
HOMEWOOD MOUNTAIN RESORT
In celebration of its 60th anniversary season, the resort is asking patrons to share their Homewood memories--some of which will be included in a video to be compiled and shared by the resort during the season. The Easy As 1-2-3 adult lesson 3-packs resumes this season, with participants receiving a season pass upon completion of the program. Homewood is also bringing deals back this season including the $89 Learn to Ski/Ride special valid Sunday-Friday, non-holiday, and new lift ticket 3-pack specials. Over the summer, the resort has also focused its efforts on forest health projects within the resort boundary.
KINGVALE
Located on Donner Summit, and the newest Ski California member resort, Kingvale Resort offers surface lift accessible skiing, snowboarding and sledding. Two new surface lifts will debut this season, tripling the resort’s skiable terrain. Advance purchase lift tickets and time-based sledding reservations are required.
ROSE SKI TAHOE
The resort has the most significant capital improvement project in its history underway, which will result in the expansion of the Lakeview area of the mountain. On-mountain improvements completed this summer include a $1+ million investment in snowmaking infrastructure on the Mine Train, Slide Bowl and Race Arena trails. Slope grading work designed to reduce obstacles and allow for terrain opening on as little as 12-inches of packed snow is in progress on Bruce’s Run. In addition, the 60-year-old domestic water system serving the main lodge base area is being replaced and will increase storage capacity and improve fire protection.
TAHOE DONNER CROSS COUNTRY
For the first time, snowmaking has been installed at the area to ensure a high-quality early season snow surface for the center’s learning area and on a 3 km loop. A new Pisten Bully 400 will add to trail grooming efficiency, and summer trail work was completed to allow for better drainage and snow retention throughout the cross-country trail system.
TAHOE DONNER DOWNHILL SKI RESORT
Focused on offering a high-quality snow surface, Tahoe Donner purchased a new PistenBully snowcat to groom the mountain. The resort also added to its transportation fleet with a new fuel-efficient shuttle bus. Advance purchase of lift tickets, lessons and rental equipment will continue to be encouraged this season.
