Ski season is a big deal here in the Bay Area. Even if you don’t partake in winter sports, there’s no escaping the buzz around the winter activity, particularly when there’s gorgeous skiing and snowboarding just a few hours from our snowless city.
Lake Tahoe is always a popular spot for Bay Area residents to ski and snowboard. It has the highest concentration of ski resorts in the U.S. in a 100-mile radius. The Lake Tahoe ski season was officially kicked off November 16, when the first resort officially opened on November 16. Mt Rose was the early bird to open this season, with the next projected opening being Friday, 17. The opening is tentative; only 1 lift is open, and 3 runs out of 66 are available.
Nonetheless, it’s exciting for snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts who are looking forward to getting up on the mountain. Northstar California, Heavenly, and Boreal are projected to open on November 17. Following that, Palisades is projected to open on November 22, and Soda Springs and Sugar Bowl Resort on November 24.
- Nov 22: Palisades
- Nov 24: Soda Springs
- Dec 1: Kirkwood
- Dec 1: Northstar California
- Dec 1: Sugar Bowl
- Dec 2: Diamond Peak
- Dec 2: Sierra-at-Tahoe
- Dec 8: Donner Ski Ranch
- Dec 8: Tahoe Donner
- Dec 15: Homewood Mountain Resort
Tahoe ski season typically starts in mid-November, but it can be hard to know opening dates far in advance. While resorts do their best to predict when they will be able to open, it depends on the snowfall in the area, so dates are subject to change. The latest projected opening for the season is December 8, so even if your favorite resort has yet to open, you won’t have to wait long.
Even if you don’t plan on skiing or snowboarding, Lake Tahoe is known for its beautiful scenery and has plenty to do for the known skiers and snowboarders out there. Sledding and snowmobiling are popular options to enjoy the fresh air, or you could pamper yourself with a spa day.
Lake Tahoe is only a few hours away from San Francisco by car, but traffic can make the trip quite long. We recommend checking traffic in advance and planning for some delays, especially during weekends. Plus, don’t forget to keep an eye on the forecast before your trip.