Looking to hit the slopes this snow season? DIAKADI team members have some of the top recommendations for snowboarding and skiing in Tahoe this season! From secret runs, to ideas on fun family activities, this is truly the inside scoop to the best spots in Tahoe. Read below for some of the best recommendations in the Bay Area.
Northstar | Backside and Lookout Mountain
I am a big fan of natural tree runs and glades because I feel like a kid running through the woods when I am boarding them. That's why the tree runs on the Backside of Northstar and on Northstar's Lookout Mountain are hands down my favorites.
On the Backside between all of the groomed runs are miles of incredible tree runs. They vary from steep to mellow. I recently discovered a secret run along the property line that is awesome fun when the snow is deep. Take a quick left off the very beginning of Sierra Grande and follow the left side property line all the way down to Challenger. It's a fun roller coaster ride.
On Lookout Mountain, I can get lost doing loops in Sugar Pine Glades for hours. It starts steep and levels out into a gorgeous natural slalom course of evergreens. Every time you go down you can find a new route, with new kickers and obstacles.
BONUS RUN WHEN THE SNOW IS INCREDIBLE
Heavenly Ski Resort
When the snow is deep and fresh like it was 3 years ago, off of the Olympic Express chair of Heavenly, you can go through the ski boundary gate and board down the face of the mountain under the gondola. It is a wickedly FUN ride all the way down. Save it for the end of the day because it feeds down into a single track, luge style run that ends at the chain link fence behind the Albertson's grocery store. No chair ride back up from there! Just hop over the fence and walk back to the gondola..or straight to the hot tub. One of the most fun runs of my life!
Northstar's village has great restaurants, usually live music for acres ski, good drinks, ice skating rink, fire pits and free s'mores. There is also a new free champagne toast everyday at 2p near the top of the Comstock lift. There is also the Ritz for a beautiful, cozy apres drink.
Learn more about Billy Polson // Resort | Northstar // Difficulty | All Levels
Kirkwood Resort | Fawn Ridge
Kirkwood is super special to me because it's a locals only mountain. It's a smaller resort which actually means it tends to be less crowded. Fawn Ridge is amazing on a powder day!
It's a great run because it's nice and long and it features a big open bowl at the top with lots of beautiful trees in the middle, a great place to bring yourself into gratitude.
This run is for the diehards, so you won't see a lot of beginners out there. Also, it's often closed down, so it makes it really special when you get to ride it. There are lots of little secret places in Kirkwood, mainly because they are harder to get to and they're black diamonds. If you're feeling up for the challenge, find your way to Thunder Saddle.
The shops, dining and non ski/snowboarding activities aren't great at Kirkwood because it is pretty secluded. If your group doesn't at least enjoy snowshoeing, this may not be the best place to hang out for hours. You have to make your way to South Lake Tahoe if the natural beauty of the mountains and forest aren't entertaining enough for you.
Stephanie Foley // Resort | Kirkwood // Difficulty | Advanced
Kirkwood Resort | The Wood
Kirkwood is special to me because it is ALL about the mountain.
Skiers and boarders go to "The Wood" for the snow and challenging terrain. I go to ride the trees, the bowls and the steeps. With a base elevation of 7,800 and a top elevation of 10,000, Kirkwood offers over 2000 shred-able vertical feet. If you want to ride the best snow in California, Kirkwood is the spot.
Shelby Jacquez // Resort | Kirkwood // Difficulty | Advanced
Squaw Resort | KT 22 Run
This is my favorite place to snowboard because of its epic terrain!
There are so many features, verticals, and different lines to choose from.
There are lots of special spots that many people don't know about but that's for me to know, and you to find out! Squaw valley is awesome for the common gapper. There is plenty of shopping, food, and adult beverages.
Ross Steiner // Resort | Squaw // Difficulty | All Levels
Squaw + Alpine Resort | Far Right Off Moseley's Run
My favorite place to snowboard is Squaw/Alpine. Between the two they have lots of great terrain and a lot of variation depending on what you're in the mood for.
It's open and steep enough to get that ski movie powder mountain turns and the advanced slopes have trees and rocks to maneuver.
They have all levels of slopes in the area but it is more of an intermediate/advanced mountain. This resort is unique from the others because of how challenging some of the terrain is. The best skiers in Tahoe ski at Squaw. Squaw is a destination resort so it has a village and lodging at the base. Its probably one of the best resorts in Tahoe as far as this goes. There are secret spots and hidden gems in the area but I'd like to keep them that way!
Jeff Kaditz // Resort | Squaw + Alpine // Difficulty | Intermediate/Advanced