xqSKI RESORT TIPS

by sam

I've been skiing the Tahoe basin for about 25 years now, skiing all 15 resorts, once all 15 in one day, thanks to Harrah's furnishing a van.

I don't ski ilke that anymore, back and age interfere. But I do have some impressions of some of the resorts that I would like to share with you. 

For those who already know their way around Tahoe winter sports areas and for those new here some nearest to Carson City. These include Heavenly (the biggest), Mt Rose-Ski Tahoe, Diamond Peak. Let's look at Heavenly first. It's part of the Vail conglomerate and is one resort that spans two states, California and Nevada. I taught skiing for 15 years at the Heavenly Boulder base and one thing that remains in mind is the early morning run the instructors would take before classes at about 9:15 with unskied snow from the base to the top of the Olympic Downhill to Olympic Express and then back to Boulder for classes. We would ski down in trail, offering a show to early ski chair riders.

Heavenly is big, matched on in Tahoe by the combination of Squaw Valley and Alpine meadows, now  one resort.

Lots of amusements at Heavenly, from the Gondola lift to the California base to Stagecoach to the tubing hill to Adventure Peak --- you don't have to ski to enjoy Heavenly (sometimes referred to as Heavenly Valley).

LIft tickets can go as high as $100 but many discounts are available.

Of course, Heavenly also boasts casino activity so it's an all-round resort.

A favorite of  mine not well known outside the local area is Diamond Peak, owned and operated by the wealthy town of Incline Village. This is very much a locals' resort and that's the way the village wants to keep it. It's  only 688 acres but it has a lift just for beginners and classes and the lodge is cozy and right at the beginning lifts. it has a max 2.5 mile run that  is fine for intermediate skiers with a long back run that is more demanding.

Mt. Rose Resort (not actually on Mt. Rose but rather on Slide Mountain) has plenty of beginner and advanced runs with the Chutes offering a challenge to demanding experts. For years Rusty Crook ran the ski school there and I used to join his classes because he always made me think I was a better skier than I was. Rusty is retired but his special senior classes continue to  make you think you a champion.

The Kit Carson Bowl is wide and spacious and is matched  on the other side by a nice touring run for easy skiing or riding. 

Mt. Rose boasts of the highest base around Tahoe and at the top you can look out on Lake Tahoe. Mt. Rose is close to Reno and there are shuttles to take you up and bring you down. Mt.Rose is often the first place out of town skiers and riders hit and it allows them to ski and enjoy Reno the same day.

Next time I'll offer tips and information about Squaw Valley, Kirkwood and a couple of more resorts.

And incidentally, I've added a new exercise to my morning workout. I go through all the motions of making a modern technique turn 50 times. Almost like sking.