What an amazing Truckee-Tahoe summer! As we transition from shorts and sandals to boots and jackets, we turn our focus to the mountains being covered in a blanket of white soon. With all the deals on passes and the mountains of amenities at our fabulous ski resorts, we put together a list to highlight the best on the North Shore and Truckee. Read on!
While you are out enjoying the fall and waiting for winter to begin, stop by and say hello to Alison Elder, Elder Group Tahoe Real Estate, proudly affiliated with Chase International. Or, Contact Alison at info@eldergrouptahoe.com or 530.582.8103 and visit our site for Truckee-Tahoe properties for sale at www.ElderGroupTahoeRealEstate.com. Now is undoubtedly the time to purchase a vacation home. We look forward to hearing from you!
Squaw Valley
The legendary experience of Squaw Valley is a rite of passage in Lake Tahoe. The VIII Olympic Winter Games were held here in 1960, due to the bold pursuit of Alexander Cushing, the founder and Chairman of the Board of Squaw Valley Ski Corporation. Squaw Valley boasts 32 lifts – one of the largest in the country – and the only funitel in the United States. With over 4,000 acres of some of the most challenging terrain, and 2,850 feet vertical drop, Squaw Valley continues to stay at the forefront of the ski industry. In fact, in late 2010, Squaw Valley Ski Corporation was sold to KSL Capital Partners, who pledged over $50 million in resort improvements over the span of 3 to 5 years. Approximately one year later Squaw Valley announced a merger with neighboring ski resort, Alpine Meadows.
The partnership created a “one mountain, one pass” attitude with the birth of the Tahoe Super Pass, honored at both resorts. Season passes start at $429! That’s 6,000 acres of terrain that has something for everyone. From the beginner to the extreme skier – miles and miles of perfectly groomed corduroy, wide open bowls, powder stashes, steeps, deeps, tree skiing and snowboarding, and night skiing and riding. Everything you need all on a single pass and accessible in the same day. A complimentary shuttle connects the resorts, although talk of a lift connecting the two ridgelines is in the works. If you’re an avid skier, looking for the best of the best in skiing terrain, and a home or vacation spot with breathtaking valley views, then look no further. Squaw Valley is the illustrious combination of majestic, extraordinary and elite.
Alpine Meadows
Alpine Meadows is the ‘local’s local’ mountain, enjoying the highest snow fall among Lake Tahoe ski resorts, generally more than 400 inches each winter. As a low-key counterpart to its next door neighbor resort, Squaw Valley (just one ridgeline over), Alpine Meadows was developed in 1961 by a close-knit group of Bay Area residents. Alpine Meadows resort says it best: “There is energy at Alpine Meadows resort; a heartbeat. This mountain mesmerizes us with perfect powder which lingers days after a storm; grants moments of clarity on quiet traverses through snow covered pine trees; and converts visitors to locals with seven open bowls, gentle, top-to-bottom cruisers, and forested glades. Alpine Meadows mountain resort allows its visitors to feel unabashed joy harbored in every soul’s inner child.”
Season passes start at $429 and are honored at both Alpine meadows and Squaw Valley. That’s 6,000 acres of terrain that has something for everyone. From the beginner to the extreme skier – miles and miles of perfectly groomed corduroy, wide open bowls, powder stashes, steeps, deeps, tree skiing and snowboarding, and night skiing and riding. Everything you need all on a single pass and accessible in the same day.
Sugar Bowl
From heart pounding chutes to gentle groomers, and progressive terrain parks to back country pursuits, you’ll find plenty of it at Sugar Bowl. And with six quad chairs serving four different peaks, you can pretty much forget about long lines. Sugar Bowl offers terrain to accommodate beginners and challenge experts, spreading across four peaks serviced by 13 lifts and 1,500 acres with 500 inches of annual snowfall. As one of the country’s oldest ski areas, Sugar Bowl has kept its classic ski atmosphere while providing modern amenities. Guests can access the resort through two portals–a quick ride on the historic gondola to the snow bound Village or slope side parking at the modern Mt. Judah Day Lodge.
Sugar Bowl’s season pass prices start at $379 if you purchase before September 17th! Sugar Bowl Resort is the closest major resort to Sacramento and the Bay Area.
Northstar
The investment made by Northstar-at-Tahoe and the new Village at Northstar is evident with the improvements that have created a luxury Village. Accessible all year long, the Village is filled with boutique shops and incredible restaurants overlooking a main plaza area that transforms nicely from an ice rink in winter to a roller rink in summer. This resort community is easily at home as a winter ski destination and a mountain bike riders paradise. With luxury residences at every turn, Northstar recently opened the Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe, the region’s first 5-star hotel with a 17,000 square-foot spa and fitness center, renowned San Francisco celebrity chef, Traci Des Jardins as head chef at Manzanita, and 170 rooms and suites.
No matter if you’re just starting out or have more experience, at Northstar you’re sure to learn something new or simply build confidence, and one-of-a-kind programs like the Burton Snowboard Academy provide innovative ways to learn. Whether you prefer to carve the corduroy, rip through the trees, send it in the 22’ Superpipe designed by two-time Olympian Shaun White or relax by the many fire pits sharing stories with family and friends, at Northstar there are ample opportunities to play, relax and spend quality time with people you love. Thigh burning steeps. World-class terrain parks. Impeccable grooming. Unmatched tree skiing. Wind-protected slopes that hold powder stashes days after a storm. It’s all here waiting for you. Those who come to Northstar know what they’re looking for. Sometimes it’s adventure, sometimes it’s to learn, and sometimes it’s to be guided through an experience of a lifetime. When you’re here, you’ll find your experience to be the way it should be. And, it’s a terrific family oriented resort with outstanding coaches for the ski and snowboard development programs.
Season passes start at $399 for three mountains, including Northstar, Heavenly, and Kirkwood. And Northstar has released the Epic Local starting at $529 to include the three resorts above and including Colorado mountains, Breakenridge, Keystone, and Areapahoe Basin. And the Epic Pass $679 which includes, Northstar, Kirkwood, Heavenly, Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, and Aprapahoe Basin!
Tahoe Donner
Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area is committed to being the best place for family fun and learning in the Tahoe region and offers a unique family experience and are known for a successful learn to ski program, one of the only in the area that starts teaching kids as young as 3 years old. The World Class Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center encompasses the beauty of the Euer Valley and is recognized for its meticulously groomed trail system and talented team of instructors who help beginners and advanced athletes alike. The Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center offers over 100 kilometers of trails groomed daily for diagonal striding, skating and snowshoeing. With scenic trails, challenging peaks and gentle rolling hills, there is plenty of terrain to explore!
Downhill season pass rates start at $89 for Tahoe Donner Members and $119 for the general public, with separate pricing for children, adults and seniors. Children under 6 and adults over 70 always ski free at Tahoe Donner Downhill. Ski and snowboard programs for children and a Super Pass option are available. Cross country season passes start at $214 for Tahoe Donner Members and $289 for the general public. Combo Passes including both Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski Center and Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area season passes start at $226 for Tahoe Donner Members and $304 for the general public. All rates are valid through Friday, November 30.
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