Sierra at Tahoe,California USA



General Feel.

Sierra at Tahoe is on the south end of Lake Tahoe in California. It's a small resort where people call you by your first name. This is what makes Sierra so cool. You'll make friends with the people on the lifts, you'll see the same people skiing around the mountain all day, and you won't lose the kids if they go off exploring.


Sierra Ski Resort at Tahoe




The friendly atmosphere of Sierra is welcoming and you feel like part of the Sierra at Tahoe family when you're there. The Sierra Resort is a great place to enjoy yourself with incredible terrain, but it is also an awesome place for families to learn to love skiing together. This place is genuine.


Quick Facts.

  • Season: Late November to April
  • Ticket Price: $69 for Full Day Adultc2009
  • Snow Report: 530.659.7475
  • Snowmaking: 15%
  • Night Skiing: No
  • Average Snowfall: 480 inches/ 12.1m
  • Acres: 2,000 acres
  • Runs: 46
  • Longest Trail: 2.5 miles-4km , Sugar n' Spice
  • Lifts: 12
  • Vertical Drop: 2,212 ft-674m
  • Elevation: Base – 6,640 ft-2023m / Summit – 8,852ft-2698m.
  • Terrain Parks: 6
  • Terrain
  • Beginner – 25%
  • Intermediate – 50%
  • Expert – 25%




















Tips.

  • Even if you don't have kids, make a run through the Adventure Zones. They're a blast.
  • If you have avalanche training and equipment, dip out of the backcountry gates and head to Huckleberry Canyon.
  • If you have young ones you have to watch, ask about the Parent Predicament Ticket – where you can share a lift ticket with your spouse so that someone can make turns while the other one watches the little one.
  • Be sure to explore the trees, there are always powder stashes, even days after a storm



    Off Piste.

    It seems like the tree skiing here, never ends. The trees are nicely spaced all over the mountain for some of the best glade runs you can imagine. In fact you might only go to Sierra at Tahoe to ski trees. Most of the tree runs are unnamed, so it's up to you to do some exploration. But it would be unfortunate if you didn't ski Jack's Bowl, Avalanche Bowl, or check out the trees near Castle.



    There are plenty of other cool runs to rip down too. Try Chute or Lower Dynamite for some steeps, or checkout the backside to ski some family oriented runs. But if you really want to ski some runs, you'll be stoked with the backcountry.



    If you choose to leave the ski area, there are five backcountry gates that open up just incredible terrain. One area that you could check out is the steeps and deeps of Huckleberry Canyon which is 300 acres of some of Lake Tahoe' steepest terrain. It's wild now, but in a few years it may be part of Sierra at Tahoe's lift accessible terrain.




    Family Rating.

    Sierra at Tahoe is great for families. It's not the biggest mountain around or the most name brand, but it still rocks. Once you ski there for a few days you'll recognize most of the people around and lifties might even call you by name. It's a pretty cool vibe.



    It's a great place to bring the family. It's got the usual off skiing stuff – tubing, shopping, ski school, day care, and competitions. But if you're kids can ski, even a little bit, it's a great place to get out and explore the uncrowded slopes and great beginner terrain. Plus there are amazing kid's adventure zones like Bear Caves, Teepee Town, Pony Express, or Gold Rush where the kids can ski through the woods or play in the tree houses. It's a great way to get the kid's excited about skiing. It may be the only terrain they want to ski – until they get a little older.



    Food and Restaurants.

    Like any quality ski resort, Sierra at Tahoe has a great selection of food. Grab breakfast at Mama's Kitchen – the servings are big. If you like healthy food, and good things to eat on the chairlift, try Happy Hippie. The Aspen Café is the place to eat corndogs with the kids. Java Junction gets you going with a big boost of coffee, espresso, or other caffeine booster. Or take a break and enjoy the views at the 360 Smokehouse BBQ at the summit. That place is delicious.




    Bars.

    The bar selections isn't the best at Sierra at Tahoe, but it's a cozy atmosphere because the mountain isn't super big. For a great happy hour, live bands, and drink specials go to the Sierra Pub. It's always a good time. For a more classy experience, go to a wine tasting at the Sierra Resort.




    Disclosure


    Compiled exclusively for us, by a skier of course.

    From Skiing Sierra at Tahoe back to adventures on skis page




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