Photo: Zac Smith/Diamond Peak Ski Resort
Photo: Zac Smith/Diamond Peak Ski Resort
The Best Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts in Nevada
Winter in Lake Tahoe promises some of the best skiing and snowboarding out there. And while the state-straddling “Jewel of the Sierra Nevada” is home to more than a dozen ski resorts, we can’t help but prefer those on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.
The largest alpine lake in North America is a wintry paradise for skiers, snowboarders, and anyone after après-ski relaxation.
Receiving an average of anywhere from 250-350 inches of annual snowfall, Tahoe ski resorts offer up fresh powder for skiing, snowboarding, and endless outdoor family fun. After your day of snow play, kick back with top-notch, après-action satisfaction before tucking yourself into some prime Lake Tahoe lodging.
Dive into a Sierra Nevada winter with this lineup of our fave Nevada ski resorts
Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts at a Glance
Get the latest updates from ski resorts on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, including snow reports, lift status, and details about terrain parks and season passes.
| Resort | Skiable Acres | Vertical Drop | Base / Summit (ft.) | Difficulty Split (B/I/A %) | Terrain Parks | Tickets & Passes | Snow Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe | 1,200 | 1,800 | 8,260 / 9,700 | 20/30/50 | Yes (2) | Buy Passes | View Report |
| Diamond Peak | 655 | 1,840 | 6,700 / 8,540 | 18/46/36 | Yes (3) | Buy Passes | View Report |
| Heavenly | 4,800 | 3,500 | 6,657 / 10,067 | 2/80/18 | Yes (3) | Buy Passes | View Report |
Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe
North Lake Tahoe
Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe is a local favorite for skiers and snowboarders in Reno. This mountain offers more than 1,200 acres of some of the best powder in Tahoe with more than 1,800 vertical feet. Mt. Rose also boasts Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation at 8,260 feet, along with a summit of 9,700 feet and an average of 30 feet of snow per year. The terrain includes 20 percent beginner runs, 30 percent intermediate runs, 40 percent advanced runs, and 10 percent expert runs—with double black diamond rippers in the infamous Chutes.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly resort, you’ve found the right place. Mt. Rose has training programs for kids as young as 4 years old, plus adaptive lessons and clinics for social groups. There’s also a nearby sledding area that the entire family can enjoy for free. With Mt. Rose’s slopes and terrain parks only a 30-minute drive away from Reno, there’s plenty of nearby places to stay and play.
Diamond Peak Ski Resort
North Lake Tahoe
With upwards of 40 runs across 655 skiable acres (and a vertical drop of 1,840 feet), the small-but-mighty Diamond Peak Ski Resort earns its title as “Tahoe’s hidden gem.” Expect to take in breathtaking panoramas of “Big Blue” from almost any trail you tackle, and know that there’s enough terrain styles for whatever kind of ride you’re after.
Diamond Peak’s Child Ski & Ride Center is perfect for kids ages 3-6, and it has its own learning area where the child-to-instructor ratio is kept at a 5:1 maximum. Youth (ages 7-12) and adult (ages 13+) lessons are offered as well. The resort has gone fully cashless, so don’t worry about bringing bills for on-the-mountain dining. Diamond Peak is also less than 10 minutes from Incline Village, making it all too easy to explore everything North Lake Tahoe has to offer.
Heavenly Mountain Resort
South Lake Tahoe
The behemoth that is Heavenly Mountain Resort straddles the Nevada-California border in South Lake Tahoe. Skiers and snowboarders love Heavenly for its 3,500 vertical feet, three terrain parks, and 97 runs across 4,800 acres—including a couple double black diamond canyons. First-timers of any age can take skiing and snowboarding lessons at Heavenly, including kids as young as 3 years old and anyone in need of adaptive programs. If you’d rather skip learning a new skill, take Heavenly’s scenic gondola to a tubing hill with its own lift.
In addition to that sightseeing gondola, families also find endless fun at Heavenly Village. The shopping hub is filled with name brands and local favorites, plus ice skating, an old timey photo booth, and more than a dozen places to grab a bite. Heavenly Village also hosts live music and special events.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
All three of these ski resorts are found on the Lake Tahoe Loop, a road trip that’ll take you from mountain adventures to hot spring escapes, farm-to-fork food and drink, and Wild West escapades.
Après Ski & Other Things To Do on the Nevada Side
Family-Friendly Activities
Even if skiing or snowboarding isn’t on the agenda when your family visits Lake Tahoe, there are a variety of ways to enjoy the snow and views. Winter activities range from sledding and tubing to snowshoeing up to Chickadee Ridge—where the songbirds will land right on your hand—or taking a horse-drawn sleigh ride. You’ll also find plenty of outfitters that offer all kinds of guided excursions.
Spas & Hot Springs
Whether you overdid it on the slopes or decided to skip them entirely, Lake Tahoe and Reno have world-class spa options for treating yourself. For relaxation close to the ski resorts, make reservations at Spa Edgewood, Reflections, or the spa at Bally’s Lake Tahoe. Outside the casino-resorts, Tahoe Forest Baths offers Japanese cedar baths.
Some of the best day spas in Reno include Spa Toscana, Spa Atlantis, and The Spa at Grand Sierra Resort. You can also soak like a local at one of three hot spring resorts in the region: Steamboat Hot Springs Healing Center & Spa, Carson Hot Springs, and David Walley’s Resort.
Reno & Lake Tahoe Nightlife
After a long day on the slopes, you’ll have endless nightlife opportunities in Lake Tahoe and Reno. With tons of bars, lounges, and other entertainment hubs—some of which power through all 24 hours of the day—it’s impossible not to find a perfect way to end your day.
In South Lake Tahoe, the casino-resorts in Stateline are full of clubs, bars, and celebrity chef eateries. The Crystal Bay Casino in North Lake Tahoe is known for its jam-packed events calendar that features music of every genre. If you’ve made Reno your home base for your Lake Tahoe ski weekend, be sure to see what’s happening in bohemian MidTown or head to a casino-resort to catch a show or dance the night away.
Where to Stay for Lake Tahoe Ski Trips
Hospitality is never in short supply on the Nevada side. If you want to stay as close to the Lake Tahoe skiing action as you can get, The Incline Lodge and the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe are both less than 2 miles from Diamond Peak. At Heavenly, you can book South Lake Tahoe lodging directly through its website or stay in Stateline at Edgewood Tahoe or Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe.
If Reno is going to be your basecamp, Grand Sierra Resort is full of family-friendly entertainment options, and Circus Circus Reno has an entire carnival midway. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino and Atlantis Casino Resort Spa are also popular options for their large pools and multiple restaurants. Nearby, Carson City and Carson Valley are great destinations for affordable lodging near Lake Tahoe with smaller city charm and a host of things to do.
