The 5 Best Ski Resorts Around Lake Tahoe Region

Ski resorts around South Lake Tahoe are more than just places to carve fresh lines — they’re seasonal hubs for recreation, community and adrenaline. With more than 300 days of sunshine and an average snowfall that regularly clocks in above 300 inches, this slice of the Sierra offers prime conditions for skiing and snowboarding. The Best of Tahoe recognizes not only the iconic slopes but the resorts that create unforgettable alpine experiences, from beginner bunny hills to double-black challenges and everything between.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort

Tucked against the Eldorado National Forest, Sierra-at-Tahoe delivers a laid-back, locals-first atmosphere without skimping on terrain. The resort features 2,000 acres of skiable space, including terrain parks known for their progression design. After a devastating wildfire in 2021, Sierra's return became about more than just skiing — it was a community comeback story. With the West Bowl re-opening and the Echo chair revamped, the resort blends familiar comfort with refreshed possibilities. Whether you’re here for the tree runs, the steep pitches or the après scene at Solstice Plaza, Sierra rides that balance of friendly and fierce.

Heavenly Mountain Resort

When elevation meets exhilaration, you get Heavenly. Straddling the California-Nevada border, this expansive resort lives up to its name — and then some. With 97 trails and nearly 4,800 skiable acres, it’s one of the largest resorts in the Lake Tahoe Basin. But what really sets Heavenly apart is the panoramic lake views from its upper lifts. One moment you're dropping into powder, the next you're gazing across sapphire-blue water. Add in the convenience of the Heavenly Village gondola and a calendar stacked with winter events, and the resort becomes more than a destination — it's a snowy spectacle.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Kirkwood doesn’t whisper. It roars — especially when the snow falls heavy and fast, as it often does at this high-altitude gem. Located about 35 miles southwest of South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood is a favorite among purists for its deep snowpack, steep ridgelines and backcountry access. The resort's unique topography, with base elevation above 7,800 feet, means reliable powder and long seasons. It's not the place you come to sip cocoa and coast. It's where you go to challenge yourself — and maybe leave with slightly sore quads and a story worth telling.

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