Old Man Winter returns to Tahoe

By Katherine E. Hill

Old Man Winter finally showed up for the party, dumping 3 to 5 feet around Tahoe as ski resorts opened lifts, groomed more runs and added features to their terrain parks. Across the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee area, more than 100 runs were open as The Weekly went to press, and that was only midway through the recent storms. So, what do you mean there’s no skiing or riding?

Don’t believe the hype that’s out there. Even before our recent flurry of snowstorms, Tahoe resorts were up and running, so get out there and enjoy all of the great skiing and riding. And, tell everyone you know.

Here’s a look at what you’ve been missing out on if you haven’t hit the slopes this season:

Alpine Meadows
Recent snow storm total: 72”
Alpine Meadows, a perennial locals' favorite, is a great mountain to explore every type of terrain. And, if you're new to skiing and riding, check out their great deals with Learn to Ski and Ride beginner packages for ages 13 and older on Jan. 29 for $39 per person. Or, check out the Learn to Ski Package anytime for $69 with lift ticket, rental and a lesson.

And, don’t forget about the free shuttle between Alpine Meadows and its new sister resort, Squaw Valley. Tickets are good at both mountains, with shuttles departing every 20 minutes.

Best run you can't miss: The Alpine Bowl via Summit chair.

Best terrain park feature: The tabletop jump at Alpine off of Dancefloor via Roundhouse or Yellow. Be sure to check out the Signature Ball, says marketing manager Jenny Kendrick.

Best food on the mountain: Grilled paninis in Last Chair Bar, or head over to Meadows Café for a made-to-order salad in the main lodge.

Boreal
Recent snow storm total: 50”
Boreal is a mecca for park riders with more than 36 features open including a triple jump line and an assortment of jibs, including its Bag Jump. As well, the Playland Tubing area is open daily with something for the entire family.

Best run you can’t miss: Check out run 11 off Accelerator for a nice, long ride down the mountain.

Best terrain park feature: Hard to pick since Boreal has features peppered across its entire mountain. You’ll just have to try them all.

Diamond Peak
Recent snow storm total: 34”
Diamond Peak is open top to bottom with all of its beginner terrain open. Diamond Peak offers $25 tickets for season passholders from other resorts, and the popular Last Tracks with a wine tasting and skiing or riding on a freshly groomed run starts Feb. 4.

Best run you can’t miss: Crystal Ridge with amazing views via Crystal Express.

Best food on the mountain: Anything off the outside barbecue at Snowflake Lodge at mid-mountain from sliders to Kobe beef hamburgers.

Heavenly
Recent snow storm total: 46”
Heavenly never did let a little thing like no snowstorms stop it from opening more than 25 trails with its extensive snowmaking system. Now that Mother Nature has kicked in some fresh powder, conditions are rockin’.

And, before the fresh snow arrived, Heavenly’s crew managed to open Skyline Trail linking its California and Nevada sides. They did it by moving machine-made snow using the Sky Express chair to transport the snow to the top of Skyline and then push it down the run. Snowmakers also made snow at the top of Dipper Express and pushed it up Skyline.

Best run you can’t miss: Ridge Run on the California side, and Big Dipper on the Nevada side.

Best terrain park feature: The large double-jumpline with jumps more than 65’ in length in the expert only High Roller park.

Best food on the mountain: Chicken corn chowder in a bread bowl at Tamarack Lodge. Or, head to Stein’s for the Kielbasa or Chicken Sausages on a pretzel bun.

Homewood
Recent snow storm total: 34”
Homewood has been operating with three lifts and five beginner trails, and the recent powder is opening more terrain around the mountain. They also have one of their terrain parks with three “perfect” features, according to marketing manager Rachael Woods.

And, if you haven’t been to Homewood lately, you’ve missed the new snowplay area that is open from Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $10 per day. Bring your own sled (no metal edges) or rent one.

Homewood offers the best adult lift ticket rate at $25, as well as its $44 Learn to Ski & Ride package through January.

Best run you can't miss: “For new intermediate or solid beginner skiers and riders, the beginner area ‘signature slope’ offers a long, continuous cruise. The perfectly groomed run offers a gentle run, as well as a pretty view of the lake from the top,” Woods says.

Best terrain park feature: “The 25-foot Down Box is the third feature in the three-feature run; and it offers beginners and new intermediates the perfect balance of fun, challenge, and ability to show off to onlookers,” she says.

Best food on the mountain: “Grab a cheeseburger in the North Lodge and kick back at the windows which overlook the slopes,” Woods recommends. She also recommends the baked-fresh-daily chocolate chip cookies and the hot cocoa and peppermint schnapps, all in the North Lodge bar.

Kirkwood
Recent snow storm total: 42”
Kirkwood’s unique geography atop the Sierra Crest allows it to receive some of the most plentiful snow in the Tahoe region. Kirkwood boasts terrain for every level of skier and rider, along with its cross-country center and its tubing area.

Best run you can’t miss: Anything off Cornice Express.

Best terrain park feature: Hit the jumps, boxes and mini half pipe in the Burton Progression Park on Chair 7.

Best food on the mountain: Check out the double patty Wolfe Burger at Monte Wolfe’s Mountain Kitchen in the Village.

Mount Rose
Recent snow storm total: 48”
Mount Rose’s terrain has been open from top to bottom, with all of the beginner terrain going full steam. The recent storms means even more great terrain is open, so be sure to check out their fantastic online tickets deals from $49 Mondays, to Two ‘Fer Tuesdays to $49 Ladies Thursdays; check out the Web site for more deals.

Best run you can't miss: Upper Ramsey’s, Galena and Kit Carson Bowl via Lakeview.

Best terrain park features: 16’ dance floor and 31’ A-frame.

Best food on the mountain: Gus’ Breakfast Burrito in the Lodge Lodgepole Café or Timbers Bar is one dish not to miss, “it’s amazing,” says public relations manager Kayla Anderson.

Northstar California
Recent snow storm total: 41”
Northstar has been the frontrunner this season with more than 31 trails open for all levels from top to bottom and front to back. Don’t forget about snow tubing, ice skating, cross-country center, snowshoe tours and other activities on the mountain and in the Village.

Best run you can’t miss: The black diamond terrain at Burnout via Comstock.

Best terrain park feature: The new 22’ Superpipe designed by Shaun White.

Best food on the mountain: Head to the new Zephyr Lodge via Zephyr Express and try the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Bisque.

Sierra-at-Tahoe
Recent snow storm total: 48”
Sierra-at-Tahoe offers unforgettable riding and with the recent storms, more than 13 beginner and intermediate runs have opened, with more to follow. Nob Hill and Grandview Express recently opened, with more than 12 park features open including a 35- to 40-foot jump, so be sure to check the latest conditions. Sierra also offers a great snow play for the entire family with sledding and a bounce house. And, Sierra offers $35 Learn to Ski and Ride Packages.

Best run you can't miss: Broadway Trail via Easy Rider Express

Best terrain park feature: Signature Neff Feature and Jump

Best food on the mountain: The grub at Sierra Pub

Squaw Valley
Recent snow storm total: 56”
Squaw Valley offers more than 10 lifts open, along with the aerial tram to High Camp. This season, check at the new SnoVentures, featuring lift-served tubing and mini snowmobiles for kids open daily.

Check out the Learn to Ski and Ride beginner packages for ages 13 and older on Jan. 29 for $39 per person. And, don’t forget about the free shuttle between Squaw Valley and its new sister resort, Alpine Meadows. Tickets are good at both mountains, with shuttles departing every 20 minutes.

Best run you can’t miss: Red Dog.

Best terrain park feature: Two jumplines at Papoose, “great to work on progression and new tricks,” says Kendrick.

Best food on the mountain: Rocker@Squaw’s 5-lb. Gnar Burger. For a drink, try the Pain McShlonkey drink with Jim Beam straight from the handle, Coke and a splash of sour mix. Get the commemorative McConkey glass for $5.

Sugar Bowl
Recent snow storm total: 46”
The legendary Sugar Bowl boasts terrain for every level, along with lots of back-country and side-country riding. As well, check out the Backcountry Adventure Center featuring tours, courses and workshops for intermediate to expert skiers and riders.

Best run on the mountain: Trailblazer

Best terrain park feature: Check out the features in Coldstream.

Best food on the mountain: Philly cheese steak in Judah Café.