7 Best Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts for Lake Vistas, Champagne Powder, and Lively Après Scenes
Where to aprés, eat, and drink: Craft beers are the go-to for onsite après, whether at Diamond Peak’s Loft Bar or its mid-mountain Snowflake Lodge, where you should order a locally made Snowflake White IPA by Alibi Ale Works, which uses Lake Tahoe water in the brewing process. Better yet, head to Incline Village to Alibi’s Incline Public House for more of its brews alongside a Mediterranean Mezze board, beer brats, and weekly events from bingo and trivia nights to live bluegrass.
Where to stay: There are three hotel options along Diamond Peak’s shuttle route and the best is the lakefront Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. Only a few minutes from the ski resort, the property has plenty to keep you occupied, including a heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, spa, casino, and the Lone Eagle Grill with a two-story stone fireplace, lake views, and a must-order chocolate spin on a Baked Alaska, the “Baked Tahoe.”
South Lake Tahoe
Heavenly Mountain Resort
Straddling both California and Nevada, skiers and riders can check off a lot of boxes at Heavenly, a favorite for Olympian and alpine skier Seba Johnson. The resort boasts the largest and tallest mountain in Lake Tahoe at 10,067 feet and arguably the best and most expansive views of the lake itself. Made for the European skier with mostly on-piste skiing (think groomers) and seriously fun intermediate runs, Heavenly offers superb tree skiing and plenty of opportunities to pop in and out of side-country terrain. You’ve also got a good chance for snowy slopes with one of the largest snowmaking operations around the lake. The best part: this Lake Tahoe ski resort is known for its low-key vibe. Basically, Heavenly is vast and well-equipped with something for everyone. It’s also easy to plan a carless vacation around; get there via a 50-minute shuttle ride from Reno-Tahoe International airport and take advantage of gondola access to several lodging and après options.
The pass situation: Day passes for non-peak days purchased in advance start at $151 on Heavenly’s site, or from $189 at the window ($225 on peak days). Heavenly participates with Epic Pass.
Where to aprés, eat, and drink: Popular après options with fire pits are at the ready in Heavenly Village at the base of the gondola. Nab a serious cocktail or hot toddy at Gun Barrel Tavern & Eatery, order the Thai curry tacos at Azul Latin Kitchen, or plan ahead if you want to eat at busy Base Camp Pizza. Casinos surround Heavenly, and, inside, spendy options worth a special night out include Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen and the 19th-floor Sage Room steakhouse at Harveys Resort and Casino, Friday’s Station Seafood & Grill at Harrah’s, and Ciera Steak + Chophouse at Bally’s Lake Tahoe.
Where to stay: Lakefront luxury options are the way to go and you can do no better than the new Desolation Hotel, a boutique adventure resort with a pool, spa, and an ethos inspired by the namesake wilderness to the east. Its 21 units all come with indoor fireplace, kitchenette, and private balcony with a soaking tub. The secluded Landing Resort & Spa is a draw, too, if only for the 1,500-bottle wine vault at the onsite Jimmy’s Restaurant. South Lake Tahoe’s most well-known luxury hotel, the high-style Edgewood Tahoe Resort offers a range of accommodations from suites to new two- to five-bedroom lakefront villa suites, plus a shuttle to Heavenly and a ski rental delivery service.
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
Shredding the gnarly cliffs, chutes, and gladded terrain that define the majority of Kirkwood with its air-thinning summit elevation of 9,800 feet is a dream for extreme skiers. More specifically, the advanced and infamous Wall is the best place to check yourself on a wide open, choose-your-own-adventure steep, while Sentinel Bowl with the fattest skis you can tolerate is a blast on powder days. Newbies in the group need not fear. In fact, this tiny-but-mighty Lake Tahoe ski resort is a bit of a find; check out its solid learning area with great beginner lifts and an uncrowded magic carpet.