Lake Tahoe offers world-class skiing and infinite variety

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is the ultimate adventure filled getaway. Everyone will find the perfect trail from alpine tree skiing to challenging black diamond runs, among the limitless variety of slopes. Lake Tahoe has the largest concentration of ski resorts in the USA, including seven world class resorts. With your choice of mountains, high quality dining, exceptional spas, and accommodation ranging from lakeside cabins to elite resorts, the choices at Tahoe are limited only by your imagination.

Marvel over the snow-covered sand at Kings Beach at North Lake Tahoe. Jason’s Beachside Grille at Kings Beach is popular with the locals as well as with the Silicon Valley crowd. North Lake centrally locates numerous popular ski resorts including Northstar, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, while Kirkwood and Heavenly are located at South Lake. Each resort in Tahoe has its own unique personality. Try each, or return to your favorites.

Kings Beach, Lake Tahoe

At Northstar, 60% of the runs are blue, making it an excellent choice for families with diverse experience levels. Its new base village is filled with ski après options, including bars, restaurants, and ice skating. The mountain dining at Zephyr Lodge offers a variety of international cuisine which rivals the best on mountain casual dining of all Tahoe ski resorts. The Manzanita at the Ritz-Carlton is perched mid-mountain with spectacular views of the peaks. Northstar is the ultimate tree-skiing resort. The Islands and Castle Peak offer more challenging runs. Weave through the trees at Loggers Loop while enjoying a view of the lake.

Northstar Resort, Lake Tahoe

Squaw Valley is known for hosting the 1960 winter Olympics. Today, it remains one of the largest ski areas in North America. Take the gondola to the top and explore the slopes at the back of Gold Coast and Siberia Express. Try Squaw Peak for more challenging black runs. Squaw is best known for intermediate to expert skiers. The advanced skier might try night skiing on Squaws 3.2 mile run. Alternatively, after a long day on the slopes, ride the 2,000 feet Aerial Tram to the famous High Camp Pool, open during the spring and located 8,200 feet up Squaw Mountain. The hot tub and views are just the beginning.

High Camp Pool Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe

Alternatively pay a visit to neighboring Alpine Meadows. Find a variety of numerous steep chutes, cliffs and wide-open bowls. Alpine Meadows offers a more local ski experience. Enjoy the spectacular views of Lake Tahoe near the Lakeview Chair at the front of the mountain before embarking on famous tree skiing down to the base. For more breathtaking views, take a ride on the Summit Express or the Alpine Bowl Chair followed by a short hike for a panoramic view of Lake Tahoe, Twin Peaks and the rest of the Sierra Crest.

Alpine Meadows, Lake Tahoe

At Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe, you can choose to ski on the Nevada side or the California side of the mountain. The resort has the highest elevation in the area at 10,066 feet, with soft, dune-like runs. Heavenly offers among the best views of Lake Tahoe–with sweeping mountains, sparkling water and lush evergreens. South Lake Tahoe also boasts a thriving casino nightlife.

Heavenly Resort, Lake Tahoe

Kirkwood, famous among locals, has the deepest snowpack in the area with an annual snowfall averaging 500 inches. It offers perfect conditions for the expert skier looking to leave the tourist set behind. Its more secluded location, tree skiing and wide stellar runs, provide the expert skier with a truly unique experience. Kirkwood has the most abundant expert terrain in Tahoe at 15%. Squaw, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Mt. Rose all have 10%. Intermediates will enjoy the blue runs at Happiness Is and Elevator Shaft, famous for their abundant powder skiing.

Kirkwood Resort, Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe’s distinctive resorts allow you to literally ski from one resort to the next while improving your skiing along the way.

Key Facts

• 3.5 hour drive from San Francisco, CA
• 50 minute drive from Reno, NV
• Northstar base / top elevation: 6,329ft / 8,610ft
• Northstar lifts: 20
• Northstar terrain type: 13% beg. 60% int. 27% adv.
• Lift Ticket Prices: Adult day $95, Adult Week $588 Season Pass $999-$2,250
• Squaw Valley base / top elevation: 6,200ft / 8,200ft
• Squaw Valley lifts: 30
• Squaw Valley terrain type: 25% beg. 45% int. 20% adv. 10% exp.
• Lift Ticket Prices: Adult day $104, Season Pass $429-$849
• Alpine Meadows base / top elevation: 6,835ft / 8,637ft
• Alpine Meadows lifts: 13
• Alpine Meadows terrain type: 25% beg. 40% int. 35% adv.
• Lift Ticket Prices: Adult day $104, Season Pass $429-$849
• Heavenly base / top elevation: 6,564ft / 10,066ft
• Heavenly lifts: 29
• Heavenly terrain type: 20% beg. 45% int. 30% adv. 5% exp.
• Lift Ticket Prices: Adult day $92, Adult Week $567, Season Pass $999-$2,250
• Kirkwood base / top elevation: 7,800ft / 9, 800ft
• Kirkwood lifts: 15
• Kirkwood terrain type: 15% beg. 50% int. 20% adv, 15% exp.
• Lift Ticket Prices: Adult day $79-$89, Adult Week $455, Season Pass $999-$2,250
• Squaw Valley was home to the 1960 winter Olympics
• Partnered resorts: Vail Resorts owns Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Northstar California and Heavenly Mountain Resort
• KSL Capital Partners owns Squaw Valley and Alpines Meadows. Partnered resorts offer joint lift tickets and single season passes for visitors and free shuttles between its locations
• The most popular resorts are Northstar, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Heavenly and Kirkwood. The complete list also includes Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe. Additional resorts include Boreal Mountain Resort, Diamond Peak, Donner Ski Ranch, Granlibakken, Homewood Mountain Resort, Soda Springs, Sugar Bowl and Tahoe Donner Downhill

Why Tahoe 

• Large variety of mountains within close reach
• Can be enjoyed by any level of skier
• Powder effect and variety of on and off piste skiing
• The Lake itself – stunning scenery
• Wide variety of restaurants and entertainment
• Wide variety of accommodation
• Local lesser known hangouts away from the more commercial areas

Be Aware Of 

• Access in and out of Tahoe can be restricted in heavy weather
• Need to carry chains or best of all hire an SUV with snow tires

To find out more about Slipstream’s unique travel services, you can check out our website www.slipstream.travel.

Images credits: Lake Tahoe: Ridge Tahoe Resort Hotel, Northstar: Jodi Womack, High Camp Pool: Squaw Valley Resort, Alpine Meadows: Dbonny, Kirkwood: Kirkwood Resort.

Sun Valley: Glamour, peace and world-class skiing meet in Idaho

Base of Bald Mountain

“Is it always sunny at Sun Valley?” I asked the local sitting next to me on the chair lift. “Sure”, he replied, and then laughed. “Now you know how Sun Valley got its name.” He further explained that the Cascade Ranges across California, Oregon and Washington absorb most of the clouds that move off the Pacific before they reach Idaho. William Averell Harriman, the founder of the resort in 1936, took advantage of the clear skies, naming the resort Sun Valley. Harriman’s efforts to promote Sun Valley worked successfully with Hollywood and celebrities, even going so far as to producing a film at the resort, Sun Valley Serenade (1941). Several other films have been made since taking advantage of the landscapes and ski culture.

It is where bold-faced names like Ernest Hemingway, Gary Cooper, Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, and the Kennedys spent their vacations. It was a marquee resort for the Hollywood crowd of the 50s and 60s, and that old Hollywood glamour still remains today.

Hemingway certainly left his mark on Sun Valley, and his stories are still told lovingly by locals. Even certain trails have been named after him (upper, mid and lower Hemingway). The Hemingway runs are so wide that you can ski down to Warm Springs as though the slope was entirely yours. The Warm Springs Day Lodge at the slopes base provides a perfect place to take a break and enjoy a cozy open hearth fire and panoramic sweeping views of the slopes. The River Run which is a similar scene, is located near the main entrance to Bald Mountain, great to sit back and enjoy the band or have a drink at the bar.

Take a tip from the legend himself and hire a personal ski instructor for the day or just “do a Hemingway” and have a five hour lunch at the Roundhouse. Or make more time for skiing by opting for a quick bowl of chili at the Lookout or Seattle Ridge, which furnish elegant cafeteria style dining at the top scenic peaks of Bald Mountain. Both boast sweeping views of the distant Sawtooth National Forest, the Boise National Forest and the Salmon Challis National Forest.

Sun Valley 1961

Friendly quant downtown Ketchum houses numerous restaurants including Cornerstone and Michel’s Christiania where Hemingway had his own permanent table. The ruby trout is a local favorite, and serves the town’s signature fish.

Sun Valley is clearly in a class of its own when it comes to superb skiing, crystal clear long sunny days, few crowds, privacy, great on-slope and downtown dining, and long epic runs with sweeping majestic mountain views. It also boasts the scenic beauty and sophistication of downtown Ketchum and world class art galleries featuring Picassos, Warhols, Chagalls and other famous and rare masterpieces.

Escape the California and Colorado-resort crowds at Sun Valley. Locals know its Idaho’s best kept secret and keep it so. Enjoy the unique meeting of perfect alpine snows and sun filled bliss. The ideal unique winter sports retreat for discerning enthusiasts worldwide.

Key Facts 

• 2.5 hour drive from Boise, Idaho
• 30 minutes from Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey
• 5 hours from Park City or Deer Valley Utah
• Lifts open from 9am to 3:45pm
• Snowboarding is not very popular on the slopes at Bald Mountain it is majority skiers
• Dollar Mountain attracts beginners or families with children learning to ski
• Dollar Mountain has more snowboard friendly facilities
• The best locations for lodging are near Bald Mountain or downtown Ketchum where everything from the slopes to restaurants are within walking distance
• Bald Mountain base / top elevation: 5,750ft / 9,150ft
• Bald Mountain lifts: 14
• Bald Mountain terrain type: 36% beginner, 42% intermediate, and 22% advanced
• Lift Ticket Prices: Adult Day $99, Adult Week $650, Season Pass $1,949
• Lift operating hours: 9am-4pm
• Popular old Hollywood hangout and final resting place of Hemingway
• Popular hangout for Australian champion surfer Nat Young and his entourage
• The local ruby trout is a must try but it sells out quickly

Sun Valley

Why Sun Valley 

• Ski resort with the best visibility
• Known for its quality champagne snow
• Can be enjoyed by any level of skier
• Long runs and tree skiing
• Distant mountain views of Sawtooth National Forest, the Boise National Forest and the Salmon Challis National Forest
• Wide variety of dining, bars and galleries
• Great on-mountain dining options
• Wide variety of accommodation
• The elite nature of Sun Valley was set from its start due to its isolated location

Be Aware Of 

• Need to book restaurants in advance as popular downtown Ketchum restaurants can be hard to get into
• Heavy lunchtime crowds at River Run, Warm Springs, Seattle Ridge and the Lookout
• Pricy flights during the ski season into Friedman Memorial Airport, Hailey
• The Cold Springs two-man lift at Bald mountain is older style with no support bar
• Icy snow and shady pockets in the late afternoon

To find out more about Slipstream’s unique travel services, you can check out our website www.slipstream.travel.

Images credits: Base of Bald Mountain from Flickr by Jurvetson, Sun Valley 1961 by Chuck Battles from Flickr by Homini, Sun Valley from Flickr by Rennett Stowe.