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How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Your Family

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - PinterestPlanning a ski vacation at Lake Tahoe can be overwhelming. There are SO MANY resorts around the stunning lake to choose from! Which is the best for you? While all of the resorts have something to offer, each of them is very different in terms of terrain, services and the surrounding areas. The best Tahoe ski resorts to meet the needs of your family depends on your skiing level, interests off the ski hill, time of year to travel and children’s ages. We recently hopped around the Lake Tahoe ski resorts to help you navigate this new terrain. Read on for our tips on how to pick the best Tahoe ski resort.

The Best Tahoe Ski Resorts

There are a lot of ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area, but a few of the more popular resorts that we recommend include Palisades Tahoe, Northstar, Heavenly, Kirkwood and Homewood. Palisades Tahoe, Northstar and Homewood are located near the northern end of the lake whereas Heavenly and Kirkwood are to the southern end of the lake. They all offer sunny skies, excellent snow conditions and gorgeous scenery. Some resorts offer more family fun off the ski hill than others. So, how do you choose the best Tahoe ski resort for your family?

Location, Location, Location

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - Location

The ski resorts are spread around the Lake Tahoe area. When we say lake, we mean a very large lake! This is no small pond and takes some 72 miles to drive around. You’ll need to decide if you want to visit the north side or the south side of the lake. If you are looking to visit more than one ski resort during your trip, it is best to choose resorts that are closer to each other. Heavenly and Kirkwood are both considered South Tahoe, but they are about an hour apart! Heavenly is at the lake, but Kirkwood is farther from town, with its own beauty.

If you are looking for the best views of the gorgeous blue Lake Tahoe, you will find them from Heavenly and Homewood. But Palisades Tahoe and Northstar also have ski runs with stunning views of the lake from the north. Nothing beats a ski run with a scenic view of the lake! While you can't view the lake from Kirkwood, the views of the scenic mountains in that area are equally stunning.

North Tahoe Ski Resorts

We have enjoyed the family-friendly resorts in North Tahoe. While Palisades Tahoe is technically one resort, it was once two. The two mountains (called Olympic Valley, or Palisades, and Alpine Meadows) are a short drive from each other. This destination is on the Ikon Pass. One lift ticket accesses both ski areas. The areas are connected via a 15-minute shuttle bus ride or a 16-minute gondola. The 2.4-mile base-to-base gondola is one of a kind. The gondola connects The Village at Palisades Tahoe with the Alpine Lodge. Expert skiers and riders can unload at the KT-22 mid-station. The ride allows guests to experience both mountains without adding vehicles on the road.

Not far from Palisades Tahoe (about a 17-mile drive) is Northstar California. This family-friendly resort is also on the north end of the lake. Northstar has a beautiful village and is the most pampering of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts with luxuries that just make your day a little easier and a lot more special. This resort is one of three Lake Tahoe destinations on the Epic Pass.

Homewood, located on the western shore of Lake Tahoe, is about a 20-minute drive from Palisades Tahoe and a 34-minute drive to Northstar. Homewood offers fantastic views and some of the lowest lift ticket prices we've encountered. But it's better for families with some ski experience. Palisades Tahoe and Northstar have more to offer beginners (and experienced skiers alike). These family-friendly resorts also provide more amenities and dining choices.

South Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts

In South Lake Tahoe (about an hour from North Tahoe, depending on the road conditions), you will find two ski resorts on the Epic Pass. Hop over to our video of Heavenly Ski Resort on our YouTube channel to get a view of the action at this beautiful resort.

Heavenly is situated right in the town of South Lake Tahoe, sitting on the state line between California and Nevada. The Heavenly Ski Village lifts off right from the city. The gondola takes you from the village straight up the mountain to the ski runs and Adventure Peak tubing area. (You'll also find a mountain coaster and UTV rides at Adventure Peak on select days.) You'll want to stop halfway up at the scenic viewpoint. (You cannot stop on the way down.) At Heavenly, you'll have the city, casinos, shopping, dining and other nightlife for après ski entertainment choices.

Kirkwood is about 34 miles south of Heavenly and in a more remote area outside of town. It offers fabulous skiing but is a quieter location, away from it all. Heavenly is a good choice if you want easy access to restaurants, shopping, grocery stores and pharmacies. Kirkwood is the place to go for fresh powder and fewer people in your way. While you cannot see the lake, the views are spectacular.

When Are You Visiting Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts?

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

For the most part, you can visit the Lake Tahoe ski resorts from mid-November to mid-April, but some resorts have longer seasons, especially during epic snowfall. Palisades Tahoe offers the longest ski season in Lake Tahoe. You will find skiing here from November until long after the other resorts have melted down for the season. It offers a great spring season and sometimes even stays open during summer.

We have skied in Lake Tahoe’s warm sunshine for spring skiing and it's delightful. Each visit was followed by huge snowstorms and fresh powder. Lake Tahoe has been known to get snow in May, as well. Northstar is at a lower elevation, so it tends to close before Palisades Tahoe and is better to visit in the winter and early spring. Visit Heavenly and Kirkwood in late December through March or early April. Heavenly usually gets the freshest snow in January and February.

Don’t froget about summer at these year-round resorts! Once ski season ends, you can enjoy mountain biking, hiking and other fun family activities such as summer tubing at Heavenly, as well as traversing ropes courses, panning for gemstones and climbing walls. Palisades Tahoe has hiking, waterfalls, and roller skating, plus a mountaintop pool and giant hot tub! There are so many fun summer activities in Lake Tahoe.

Level of Difficulty

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - Lessons and Terrain

Your family members' skill level as skiers or snowboarders is important when evaluating the best Lake Tahoe ski resorts. (There is no shame if you are a beginning adult skier like Leap, or what we lovingly refer to as "never-evers.") Each mountain offers all levels of terrain but in different ratios.

Northstar offers plenty of beginner and light intermediate terrain and really caters to families. Northstar has mountain Kids Adventure Zones with both natural and man-made features that are not only fun but also educational.

Palisades Tahoe also provides plenty of easy terrain for beginners and intermediate skiers and offers a lot of diversity for families with skiers of different abilities. Snowboarders tend to enjoy Palisades Tahoe because these resorts do not have flat terrain. The Alpine Meadows area is great for intermediate skiers. Kirkwood has plenty for everybody, but the more advanced skiers enjoy some of the unique terrain and deep powder that accumulates there.

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - Heavenly

Heavenly is located on the state line between California and Nevada. You’ll find twice as many green runs on the California side than on the Nevada side, three times as many blue runs on the Nevada side, and double the amount of difficult black runs on the California side. Expect to traverse when getting from one side to the other, which makes this resort a little more ski-friendly than snowboard-friendly. Snowboarders quickly learn to avoid the many flat traverses at Heavenly.

There is a nice beginner area at the top of the Heavenly gondola. At Heavenly, 20 percent of the runs are beginner, 45 percent are intermediate and 35 percent are advanced. Heavenly is known for excellent snow-making capabilities and snow grooming. So if it’s nice corduroy you are after, you’ll be in heaven at Heavenly. (And the views of blue Lake Tahoe are simply divine!)

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - Kirkwood

Kirkwood is a skier’s and snowboarder’s mountain. It offers plenty of challenging terrain for a more advanced skier and special lessons on how to tackle the steeps and backcountry for advanced skiers who want to experience Kirkwood’s unique terrain with confidence.

At Kirkwood, 12 percent of the lifts are beginner, 30 percent are intermediate, 38 percent are advanced and 20 percent are expert. This is a more rugged mountain without all the bells and whistles (or trail markings) of the other resorts, but this hidden gem offers shorter lines and has a lot to offer people with a sense of adventure. But that should not intimidate beginner and intermediate skiers, because there are some frogtastic, gentle beginner runs at the Timber Creek Base Area, as well as by Chair 1.

You'll encounter great intermediate skiing throughout the resort. The lifts are a little older and slower, but there is an old-school charm of skiing at Kirkwood, and it is perfectly situated to collect deep powder for people in search of fresh tracks. All this comes with a more budget-friendly lift ticket.

Homewood also appeals to the more experienced skier who is not looking for frills or a village environment (and enjoys a less expensive lift ticket). Its hidden powder stashes and incredible Snowcat skiing keep more advanced skiers coming back for more. 

How Do You Après?

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - Apres Ski

What do you like to do after skiing or even on a day off instead of skiing? Knowing what types of après ski activities and amenities are available can help you pick the best Tahoe ski resort for your family. For many, skiing is just one part of the winter fun. You’ll find tubing and ice skating on-site at Northstar, Palisades Tahoe and Heavenly. Tubing is off-site at Kirkwood, which is far away from most things. If you want to give cross-country skiing or snowshoeing a try, then make the trek to Northstar, Palisades Tahoe or Kirkwood.

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - UTV Ride Under Heavenly Gondola with Lake Views

There are places to cross-country ski or snowshoe in South Lake Tahoe not too far from Heavenly. Heavenly offers guided UTV tours on some holidays and weekends. You can purchase the tour at the base of the gondola or up at Adventure Peak. These tours are about 45 minutes long and for guests ages 8 and up who are over 42 inches tall. You'll get to enjoy awesome views on the tour. We enjoyed live music inside Heavenly's Tamarack Lodge at the end of the ski day.

The villages at the bases of Heavenly, Northstar and Palisades Tahoe have bars, pubs and restaurants that make for family-friendly après ski drinks, snacks and fun. They also offer trampoline bungee jumping (usually in warmer weather) and other activities for kids. Après ski partying may not be on every parent’s list of activities, but if you want to get a sitter for the tadpoles and enjoy some nightlife, then Heavenly is close to the action and casinos. The other resorts are more family-oriented in that regard, although we raise a glass to the daily complimentary champagne toast at 2 p.m. at Northwood. Finding a ski hotel with a pool and hot tub is toadally high on our tadpoles’ list, and that is where we find ourselves after a day on the mountain.

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - Ice Skating Northstar Village

Sanity-Saving Details for Families

I don’t know about you, but I like a resort that makes everything easiest for me, especially when taking the tadpoles skiing. When I am skiing by myself, I can handle a more rugged, no-frills approach. When skiing with my family, I find that I enjoy those frills because they make my day much easier. Leap and I have a lot of sanity-saving tips for a family ski trip, but I had one of my favorite days of skiing with children at Northstar. The resort provides wagons so you do not have to carry anything. It offers comfortable places to just lounge about and relax in the village après ski while the tadpoles enjoy free s’mores, snow play and a bungee trampoline. I guess you can say that as a mom, I know that making sure the kids are happy skiers keeps me hoppy too!

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe

Lodging in Lake Tahoe

Northstar offers lodging at the sumptuous Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe. You can also find a variety of lodging at Northstar California in the village (as low as $179 per night) and on the mountain. If you are looking for mid-mountain locations, the Constellation Residences at Northstar offer luxurious ski-in/ski-out 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom accommodations.

If you are headed to Palisades Tahoe, you can get on-site lodging in the Village at Palisades Tahoe or Squaw Valley Lodge. Both are located in the village and close to lifts. The Resort at Squaw Creek is farther down the hill but is close enough to offer ski-in/ski-out access or shuttle services to the village so you do not have to hop in your car. The tadpoles loved the heated pool at Squaw Creek Resort, which made for easy (and free!) afternoon entertainment.

If you'll be resort hopping, The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe might be a good way to go. It's the only lakefront hotel on the north shore of Lake Tahoe.

In South Lake Tahoe, you can find on-site lodging near the village at Heavenly and at Kirkwood. There is an abundance of lodging  — at all price levels — in the South Lake Tahoe area around Heavenly. The Lakeland Village by Heavenly (as low as $174 per night) has a free shuttle to the California Lodge and Heavenly Village at Heavenly. If you stay closer to the village and gondola, you can walk there and to the casinos. Right across the street from the Heavenly gondola is the posh Zalanta Hotel. It has luxurious 2, 3, and 4-bedroom condos with the amenities of a hotel.

At Kirkwood, the Kirkwood Mountain Resort offers ski-in/ski-out accommodations as well as lodging that is a short drive to the slopes. You'll find a variety of options and unit sizes.

You may have heard that Undercover Tourist has hopped into discount lodging for ski vacations, and that includes ski hotels in the Lake Tahoe area. You can get a leap on your next ski (or summer) Lake Tahoe vacation and search by certain resorts or areas (such as north or south Lake Tahoe). If you get a little further from the ski lifts, you can find more affordable units that may give you a little more space, a full kitchen and maybe even a free shuttle service.

Bundle Lift Tickets and Lodging to Get the Best Deals

Are you planning to ski at Northstar, Heavenly or Kirkwood? You can bundle lift tickets with your hotel stay to save $50 per lift ticket at Undercover Tourist. Just purchase at the same time to get the deal. (You'll see the discount applied in your cart.) If you plan to rent a car, be sure to add the car rental before you check out to get the absolutely lowest rental rate (up to 50 percent off).

Child Care in Lake Tahoe

If you have small children who do not ski, you might be interested in ski resorts that offer child care. Heavenly offers child care for tadpoles 6 weeks to 6 years old at the California Lodge. Northstar offers child care for tadpoles 2 to 6 years old at Minors Camp at the Northstar Golf Course. There is free parking and a free shuttle service to the resort.

Using Statistics to Pick the Right Tahoe Ski Resort

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - Facts

If you are a numbers person, you can also consider the stats on each resort to help make your choice. Are you looking for the most vertical drop or the most snow? Heavenly and Kirkwood are the tallest mountains, whereas Palisades Tahoe and Kirkwood get the most powder. You can compare ski resorts with our handy matrix. Here are some basic mountain details on popular Lake Tahoe ski resorts:

  • Heavenly: Peak elevation is 10,067 feet and the base is 6,255 feet. It offers 4,704 skiable acres with 97 runs, 28 lifts, two terrain parks, and 360 inches of annual snowfall. 
  • Kirkwood: Peak elevation is 9,800 feet and the base is 7,800 feet. It offers 2,300 acres with 86 runs, 15 lifts and 354 inches of annual snowfall. It has three cross-country trail systems.
  • Palisades Tahoe Olympic Valley area: Peak elevation is 9,050 feet and the base is 6,200 feet. It offers 2,400 acres, 170+ runs, five terrain parks and 29 lifts (including a 28-person funitel and 110-person aerial tram) with 450 inches of annual snowfall.
  • Palisades Tahoe Alpine Meadows area: Peak elevation is 8,637 feet and the base is 6,935 feet. It has 2,400 acres with over 100 runs, 13 lifts and 450 annual inches of snowfall.
  • Northstar: Its peak is 8,610 feet and the base is 6,330 feet. It offers 3,170 acres of skiable terrain with 100 trails and 20 lifts. It gets 350 inches of snow per year and offers 14.7 miles of cross-country trails.
  • Homewood: Its peak is 7,880 feet and its base is 6,230 feet. It offers 1,260 acres with 67 runs, eight lifts, four terrain parks and 450 inches of snowfall annually. It also offers over 750 acres of snowcat-accessible terrain, with a Snowcat summit elevation of 8,740 feet.

Choosing Tahoe Ski Resorts Based on Budget

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - Budget

If budget is a huge factor for you, the Tahoe ski resorts all vary in price when it comes to lodging, lift tickets, lessons and even food on the mountain. Comparing costs before you book can help you choose the best Tahoe ski resort for you and save money too.

Northstar is one of the pricier ski resorts. But that price comes with pampering, a beautiful village, a lot of family entertainment and perks such as free s’mores, free champagne toasts on the mountain and leg rests on the lifts.

Heavenly and Palisades Tahoe are in the middle price range, with a lot of amenities and types of entertainment to offer. Kirkwood and Homewood are your less-expensive mountains that offer great skiing, but not a lot of extras. They are great places for people who want to focus on skiing and riding without paying for the fancy frills. As a lifelong skier with kids and a learning husband, I see the advantages of all sides, really. It comes down to what’s most important to you and the people traveling with you.

There are many ways to get some hoppin’ deals at the best Tahoe ski resorts with Undercover Tourist. Northstar, Heavenly and Kirkwood are all on the Epic Pass, which means you can use a 4-day, 7-day or unlimited Epic Pass at these resorts without having to worry about blackout dates or peak holiday pricing. Palisades Tahoe is part of the Ikon Pass, which is also available before the ski season gets underway.

Purchase Ikon Passes and Epic Passes from Undercover Tourist before the season gets underway. (Use them at other ski resorts in Utah and Colorado throughout the season.) You can also get a jump on saving for discount ski hotels and lodging near any of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts we’ve discussed and save more when you bundle lift tickets with your hotel reservation (for resorts such as Heavenly, Kirkwood and Northstar).

How to Pick the Best Tahoe Ski Resort for Families - Lake Tahoe

You can’t go wrong with any of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts. They all have their pluses, depending on what you are looking for in a family ski resort. The skiing is great at all of the resorts. But Northstar and Palisades Tahoe really cater to families and beginners. Know which other activities, amenities and après ski options you want. That way, you can narrow down options and pick the very best Tahoe ski resort for your family.

Have questions about any of the Lake Tahoe ski resorts? Drop us a line in the comments below! Which do you think is the best Tahoe ski resort? We've got more information to help you pick the perfect ski resort at key resorts around the U.S. Undercover Tourist is offering ski hotel packages, rental cars, Epic Passes and Ikon Passes, making it easy to save money and book your next ski vacation. Bundle your components at check-out to unlock more savings! 

Related: Family Ski Guide to the North Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts

Related: Guide to Heavenly Ski Resort

Hoppy planning!

Keep hopping, Mommy Frog!
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Jan 15, 2023 at 2:17 a.m. Chereeh Says...

Hello. My only problem is the lift. I know it’s silly but my whole family are beginners. Any suggestion which ski resort is best for beginners and I don’t know slower lift. Ty!!!

Reply
Jan 30, 2023 at 4:28 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Chereeh!

Our favorite resorts to recommend for beginners are Northstar and Palisades Tahoe!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jan 7, 2023 at 1:12 p.m. Jean Philippe Lieutaud Says...

Great article! Covers all one could want. Thank you!

I'm going with my wife by end-march, we'll be coming from the bay area, so I've been looking at the south lake options, but I could go to the north part since we'll be coming with a rental car. I'm an average skier (I'm from Brazil so I have to rely on lessons I took as a kid in the few trips where sky was part of it), but I consider myself intermediate level. My wife does not ski and does not plan on taking lessons, but it would be nice to have other activities for her that I could share, be it on the mountains (such as those downhill train rides that require no practice) or activities at the hotels and resorts. Which one would you recommend for us?

Thank you!!

Reply
Jan 12, 2023 at 3:08 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jean Philippe!

Thanks for hopping by! We love North Tahoe and would recommend Northstar. The skiing is great for intermediate skiers, and is perfect for your level. There is a nice village and there are a lot of activities besides skiing, both in the village and on the mountain.

Alternatively, Palisade Tahoe is also a great ski resort. It’s bigger and usually has great ski conditions in spring. It has a village as well. There is a hotel with ski-in/ski-out (see hotel for lift construction notice) and a shuttle — it’s called Resort at Squaw Creek. It offers a lot of activities and has an outdoor pool and hot tub. We have stayed there twice and enjoyed our visits.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Nov 16, 2022 at 1:39 a.m. May Lynn Funnell Says...

Thanks for such a great article! We're travelling with 3 kids (9, 6 and 3) and this is their first snow experience after no travelling outside of Hong Kong for 3 years (thanks covid). We have been to Whistler before and loved the beautiful village feel, not too big or busy and lots to do with kids. We loved that we could stay in a house 10-15 minutes drive away. We mostly just want to play in the snow, be surrounded by nature and breath the fresh air with the kids. We're not even sure we are going to ski. Can you help recommend the best town for us please? Would be so grateful.

Reply
Nov 16, 2022 at 10:19 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Mary Lynn!

Thanks for hopping by! Northstar has a nice family-focused village with activities, and a ton of stuff to do off the mountain besides skiing (tubing, ice skating, cross country, etc.) Plus if you do want to ski, it’s the easiest and most enjoyable skiing for families. It’s not in a big city, but you could drive to the lake or other ski destinations/snow play areas if you wanted to.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Sep 28, 2022 at 10:13 p.m. Erin Says...

Hi, We are a family of 4 (2 kids a girl aged 14yrs and boy 12 yrs). Both kids are intermediate skiiers, husband is advanced skiier and I'm an apres skiier. We are travelling from Australia want a white christmas with all the christmas frills outside of skiing. We want to feel like we are in a christmas village. I can't decide on Park City Utah or Lake Tahoe and if it is Tahoe, which resort would give us this? We are planning on being here 20-26 Dec (7 nights). I have read your blogs but I still cannot decide. Would really value your opinion. I do not want to hire a car, need a fireplace definitely and to feel like a white christmas experience with activities off snow.

Reply
Sep 30, 2022 at 9:21 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Erin!

In Lake Tahoe, Palisades Tahoe has a village and great intermediate and advanced skiing. It’s a bit early to confirm their holiday events for this season just yet. If you can fly into Reno, you can get a bus or Lyft or Uber. There is a lot to do off the mountain. Palisades will have more variety of terrain and if you want to escape the crowds, head to the Alpine Meadows side one day for great lake views and wonderful intermediate to advanced skiing.

Northstar California has the nicest village of all with an ice rink and family activities and very nice accommodations; however, it is at a little lower elevation so you never know how the snow will be early in the season. It also caters to families and more beginner skiers but it does have something for everybody with tubing on-site and cross country skiing. The village has a lot of dining choices and a spa and theater. It’s the most luxurious of the ski resorts.

The other ski location in Tahoe is in the town of South Lake Tahoe. It’s in a city and has casinos. There is a village in town at the base of the gondola with activities. You can also take the gondola up for other winter fun activities besides skiing. We prefer the skiing at Northstar and Palisades Tahoe though.

Park City is easy to get to from the Salt Lake City Airport. If you stay at the Canyons part of the resort, there is a nice village with a lot of condos within walking distance. There is free bus transportation to the downtown area that is near the main Park City ski area and that has restaurants and art galleries. We have skied Park City at Christmas and it is so big that it does not feel crowded. There are sleigh rides you can book. If you get fresh snow, know that Utah snow is the lightest and fluffiest powder. Santa comes down the Town Lift one day and there is a Torchlight Parade on Dec. 24. You may even catch fireworks on the mountain.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Feb 26, 2022 at 2:16 p.m. Constance Says...

Hello

My name is constance I am 21 years old and I come from France. With my mom we are looking for a ski resort that allows us to ski but also activities like (sled dogs, snowshoes ...). We would like the village to be close to the slopes or find a good hotel near the slopes. Is there any specific option you recommend for us? Thank you very much in advance!

Reply
Feb 28, 2022 at 1:44 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Constance!

Both Palisades Tahoe and Northstar have villages next to the slopes and fun activities off the slopes. Both resorts offer a range of terrain, but if you are a more advanced skier, then go to Palisades Tahoe. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jan 17, 2022 at 3:15 a.m. Tom Says...

This would be a good writeup except that, shockingly, there is not even a mention of Diamond Peak (arguably best views, 4th largest vertical) or Mt Rose (excellent expert terrain but extensive beginner areas too). Were they excluded because they are located on the Nevada side? Both have views of the Lake and are closer than several of the others mentioned.

Reply
Nov 1, 2021 at 9:20 a.m. Teri Says...

Trying to plan our first family vacation of 6 to Tahoe. All beginners. 4 teenagers. Never seen snow we are from Florida. Christmas weekend. Can you advise best all around for things to do, beginners and social time for them? Thank you

Reply
Nov 1, 2021 at 1:29 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Teri!

We recommend Northstar or Palisades Tahoe for the best beginner skiing and nice villages for après ski. Both have plenty of activities in the village, and you can cross country ski at or near either resort. Northstar offers ice skating, pottery and crafts, plus there is a movie theater. Heavenly is in town and also has a village with an ice rink, but the teens are too young for the casinos and the terrain is not as beginner friendly as a whole.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Sep 29, 2021 at 11:38 p.m. Freddy Says...

Hy we would want to get ski pass tickets to use in many resorts along lake Tahoe indistinctly

Reply
Aug 16, 2021 at 3:59 a.m. David Says...

We want to ski and stay at a casino. What do you suggest? Maybe a shuttle to the ski slopes would be nice. Or a place to stay and a short walk to a casino.

Reply
Aug 17, 2021 at 3:21 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi David!

All of the casinos are a short walk to the Heavenly gondola. We've also previously stayed just across from the state line at the Lake Tahoe Resort hotel (which was right in between the casinos and the Heavenly gondola). It had larger rooms and a good free breakfast.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jul 14, 2021 at 6:10 p.m. Matthew McMullen Says...

For a family of 4 adults wanting to stay at a ski in, ski out unit (chalet/condo, villa, etc) in Heavenly arriving Dec 26th (Sunday), skiing Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, and departing Thursday morning (Dec 30th). Where would you recommend we stay?

Reply
Jul 18, 2021 at 9:20 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Matthew!

Heavenly does not have many ski-in, ski-out accommodations besides some private condo rentals, townhomes and private houses. But anything near the village or state line is easily accessible to the village and you can take the gondola up to access the ski areas (and back down at the end of the day). It comes down to your budget! Lakeland Village is not ski-in, ski-out, but it does have a free shuttle to the resorts. It's near the lake and is a more affordable choice that still offers space and a full kitchen. Zalanta Hotel is directly across the street from the Heavenly Village (and gondola that takes you up to the ski area), but it is on the pricier end. There is also a Marriott Grand Residence Club at the base of the gondola, as well as the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Tahoe Ridge Resort near the village. Hope this helps!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jan 4, 2021 at 4:05 a.m. Melissa Vergara Says...

Thank you very much for such great article. There are 13 people traveling from 3/17 to 3/20, 6 adults, 3 teenagers, one 11 years old and three 7 years old. We are all beginners and were looking to maybe do some type of class. We are looking for something affordable and nice to see. Is there any specific option you recommend for us? Thank you very much in advance!

Melissa Vergara

Reply
Jan 4, 2021 at 2 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Melissa!

All of the Lake Tahoe resorts have beautiful views, so you cannot go wrong there. Our favorite resort for beginners is Northstar, but admittedly, it’s not the cheapest of the Tahoe resorts. It has great beginner terrain and some lake views (as well as a nice village). You’ll need to book lessons in advance. We recommend private family lessons (either half-day or full-day) so you can learn together and save money. You may need a about three different lesson groups since your group is large and lessons usually have about six people. You can break up by family or by age groups and choose half-day or full-day.

Heavenly has the best views of all and is a little less expensive than Northstar. It also offers full-day family private lessons for up to six and a village at the base of the Gondola.

At Squaw Valley, you can do half-day family lessons for up to five people. Squaw also has a nice village and lake views. The interesting thing about Squaw is that the beginner terrain is at the top of the mountain, so do not get nervous when you head up high during your lesson! The half-day lesson is a little less than the Northstar half-day lesson, but you have five people in a group instead of six.

These three resorts have plenty of fun off the mountain as well as great skiing. Have fun!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Dec 17, 2020 at 11:17 p.m. ilimela Says...

Hi there,

I appreciate all of your advice!

I have 2 new skiers, 2 mid-level, and one beginner snow boarder. I want to stay at a place that is affordable, with a hot tub, and within walking or shuttle distance to the gondola at Heavenly.

One 19 yr old beginner skier, one 19 yr old beginner snowboarder, one 24 yr old mid- to advanced skier, one 52 yr old mid- to advanced skier and one beginner skier. It would be great to have a group lesson for just our family with an instructor.

Any suggestions?

Reply
Dec 18, 2020 at 2:55 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Ilimela!

The Lakeland Village is affordable, has spacious accommodations and offers a free shuttle to the gondola. It has two resort hot tubs — one near the lake with nice views of the mountains. (It’s near a grocery store too.) On the other hand, Zalanta is directly across the street from the village and gondola but is much more expensive. Heavenly offers private family lessons, although some of the more advanced skiers might feel stuck on terrain that’s safe for the beginners, so you might call Heavenly and see if they can tell you more about the family lessons so everyone gets the most out of them. Hope this helps!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

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Oct 17, 2020 at 3:26 p.m. Kerry Says...

Thanks so much for writing this article! It was so helpful in choosing a Tahoe ski vacation for our family.

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Oct 19, 2020 at 11:39 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

You are so welcome, Kerry - we hope you have a great vacay! :)

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

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Sep 19, 2019 at 6:43 a.m. Brent Grablachoff Says...

Very informative write up. Thanks for this thorough article. It really helped me decide which 2 mountains I want to try when I trek out to Tahoe this winter.

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Sep 19, 2019 at 8:49 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

We're so hoppy we could help, Brent! Thanks for taking the time to say hello :)

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

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Jan 27, 2019 at 5:16 a.m. Shivangi Khandelwal Says...

Hi we are traveling with my 2.5 month old baby. What precautions should we take and what part of tahoe will make sense for us to stay? Ps: We are not too used to the cold.

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Jan 30, 2019 at 9:04 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Shivangi!

Northstar is a little bit lower in elevation and may be a few degrees warmer. It is a family-friendly resort. Just be sure to protect your baby from the cold with proper outerwear and extra blankets, and keep that tadpole hydrated.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

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Nov 19, 2018 at 12:57 a.m. Mike Schultz Says...

Are there passs that let you go to several areas other than epic ??

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Nov 29, 2018 at 6:23 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Mike!

Yes! Vail and Beaver Creek are bundled together. And so are Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

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