Zac Smith/Diamond Peak
The Best Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts 2022–2023
Get to Know Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts
Lake Tahoe, one of the largest alpine lakes in the world, is home to 15 ski resorts, each with their own epic slice of the Sierra Nevada mountains. These famous Lake Tahoe ski resorts dot both sides of the Nevada / California border and deliver some of the freshest powder for skiing, snowboarding, several other snow sports, and endless outdoor family fun. Annual snowfall in the area averages over 400 inches, offering up the best winter playground for visitors and locals alike.
While Lake Tahoe is also a summertime paradise, the winter months promise some of the best skiing in the world. Tahoe ski resorts offer everything from small local mountains (think smaller crowds and unbelievable views) to some of the West’s best slopes—as the 1960 Winter Olympians all agreed.
Lake Tahoe is famous for breathtaking views, deep blue water, and bustling nightlife, with top-notch dining and year-round recreation for all ages and skill levels. After a day of Tahoe skiing, kick back with top-notch après-action satisfaction before nestling into some prime Lake Tahoe lodging. With so many world-class ski resorts in the area, Lake Tahoe is a perfect reason to visit Nevada this winter.
And that’s not all. We’ve also got the Lower 48’s most renowned heli-skiing outfit in Elko’s Ruby Mountains and a full-on ski resort located just a 45-minute drive from Downtown Las Vegas.
Not sure where to start? Dive into winter in the Eastern Sierra with this lineup of our fave Nevada ski resorts
Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe is a local favorite for skiers and snowboarders in Reno. This mountain offers over 1,200 acres of some of the best powder in Tahoe with over 1,800 vertical feet. Mt. Rose boasts Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation at 8,260 feet, a summit of 9,700 feet, and an average of over 30 feet of snow per year. The terrain includes 20% beginner runs, 30% intermediate runs, 40% advanced runs, and 10% expert runs with double black diamond rippers in the infamous Chutes. If you are looking for a family-friendly resort, you’ve found the right place. Mt. Rose supplies a ski school for all ages and the Rosebuds program for children ages 4-9. There is also a nearby sledding area the entire family can enjoy for free. With the slopes only a 30-minute drive away from Reno, there’s plenty of nearby places to stay and play.
“Small-but-mighty” Diamond Peak Ski Resort earns its title as “Tahoe’s hidden gem” with a family-friendly atmosphere and the Lake Tahoe Basin’s hands-down most stunning “Big Blue” panoramas across 655 skiable acres. The dedicated Child Ski Center and plenty of beginner slopes make Diamond Peak perfect for newbies and those looking for an easy mountain day, while more advanced terrain, challenging trails, tree skiing, open bowls, and thick glades cater to the more advanced skier or rider. Diamond Peak Ski Resort is located in Incline Village, Nevada—close to a wide range of accommodations in North Lake Tahoe and Reno. Transportation to Incline Village from the Reno Tahoe Airport is available through the North Lake Tahoe Express. Check out the latest Lake Tahoe ski conditions here.
The behemoth that is Heavenly Mountain Resort straddles the Nevada-California border in South Lake Tahoe. Heavenly Mountain Resort is famous among skiers and snowboarders for its 3,500 vertical feet and 97 runs across 5,000 acres—including several infamous 1,600-foot experts-only chutes—Tahoe skiing at its best. Families love it, too, thanks to Heavenly’s Adventure Peak play park, which offers snow tubing, sledding, and the Blue Streak Zip Line. There are 28 chairlifts around the mountain and two terrain parks for those looking to catch some air. The Heavenly Gondola drops you off in Heavenly Village, home to dozens of name-brand shops, family activities, the annual Heavenly Holidays celebration, and plenty of other ways to end your perfect Tahoe day.
Meanwhile, down south, Lee Canyon offers serious snow fun just an hour or so from Las Vegas. Lee Canyon offers 445 acres of served and hiking terrain and 860 vertical feet of lift-served terrain. There are 24 snow trails and three lifts, as well as a tubing area for the whole family. The base elevation for Lee Canyon is 8,510 feet—that’s a whole 6,500 feet higher than the Strip—and the average annual snowfall is 161 inches. If you don’t have a car or a rental, door-to-door round-trip transportation is available from anywhere in Clark County, including the McCarran International Airport.
If you’re looking to get extreme, take a ride with Elko’s Ruby Mountains Heli-Experience. Northeastern Nevada’s crown jewels, the Ruby Mountains, are home to 11,000-foot peaks, untouched bowls, and some of the driest (and most) powder in the U.S., beckoning backcountry skiers and riders to go where ski lifts never could. One of the nation’s premier heli-skiing operations since 1977, family-operated Ruby Mountains Heli-Experience offers guided backcountry ski trips with the experts who know the range best, as well as luxury accommodations at their Ruby 360 Lodge, a five-star chalet with uninterrupted mountain views of the range, and in two glamp-tastic serviced yurts.
Other Things To Do When You Come to Ski Lake Tahoe
Northwestern Nevada
Find it along the Lake Tahoe Loop road trip
Reno & Lake Tahoe Nightlife
After a long day on the slopes, you and your friends have endless nightlife opportunities in Lake Tahoe and hip, happenin’ Reno. With dozens 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 the South Lake Tahoe area, check out the bar-and-club-packed casino-resorts in Stateline; on the North Shore, look up what major acts are playing at the Crystal Bay Club. If you’ve made Reno your home base for your ski weekend, be sure to see what’s happening in bohemian Midtown, catch a show at the Downtown casinos, or dance the night away at a nightclub.
Family Activities
When your family visits Lake Tahoe, you want to make sure that everyone is going to have a good time. Even if skiing or snowboarding is not on the agenda for the day, there are a variety of other snow sports to be enjoyed by family members of any age. Slip on your boots and laugh the day away while sledding, snow tubing, snowshoeing, or hopping on one of the many tours offered throughout the area.
Reno and Lake Tahoe Spas
Whether you overdid it on the slopes or decided to skip them entirely and simply treat yourself, Lake Tahoe and Reno deliver several world renown spa options. Some of the best day spas in Reno include Spa Atlantis, Spa Toscana and the Spa at Silver Legacy. If you’re looking for relaxation closer to the ski resorts, be sure to stop in The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Stillwater Spa and Salon,or Elevation Spa at the Ridge Tahoe. Or go full Nevadan at one of three local hot spring resorts: David Walley’s Resort, Carson Hot Springs Resort, and Steamboat Hot Springs Healing Center & Spa.
Hotels to Stay at When You Come to Ski Lake Tahoe
North and South Lake Tahoe
Find it along the Lake Tahoe Loop
Hospitality is never on short supply in the vicinity of Lake Tahoe ski resorts. Be first on the mountain at close-to-the-action properties in North Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe, or base-camp down the hill in Reno, where you’ll find great food, art, music, and plenty of other off-the-mountain action. Looking for something a little lower key? Carson City and Carson Valley are your jams. Browse all lodging options here.
Looking for other extraordinary adventures after hopping around Lake Tahoe ski resorts? Nevada is easily the nation’s most diverse wintertime destination. No matter how you break up your days up on the mountain, you’ll be sure to find the adventure you’re looking for. Need a little inspo? Start with this roundup of winter activities and après-everything options.
Get Inspired
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