Lake tahoe
 

Thinking of hitting it up for a few days of snowboarding before Vegas. How does it work? Is it like Aspen and all the mountains are close to each other? Which one is the best one? What's the airport that's the closest?

And is Tahoe the mountain I see where people are skiing in sweaters only or tshirts? I don't want to bring gear if I don't have to.

Thanks!

Reno is the closest. But you'd better check ahead. If the weather gets crazy there is NO getting into Tahoe.

I tried last year in April...figured it was gonna be okay to drive from Vegas. So I did. Took the route over Kings Grade Road which was clear and got in.

Then when I left I re-googlemapped it and found a "quicker" way home.
Big mistake. Every damn mountain road was buried in 16 foot snow drifts. The guys running the gigantic machines to clear the roads told me it would be mid May before they had them cleared. :(

By then I was way up in the mountains with no cell phone signal and no way to re-map. So I just started driving back and got lost. Ended up on a 20 hour drive to Vegas. lol

Went through Yosemite park and a million little California mountain towns that I never knew existed. Drank about 10 "5 Hour Energy" drinks just trying to keep it together and get home.

It was quite an adventure to say the least.

Having said that...this winter had been really nice and mild. So MAYBE the roads are still open up there.

You have to fly into Reno. South Lake Tahoe has Heavenly. North has North Star and a few others. South Lake is nice, because you can just stay right there and walk to the lifts, casinos and good food/bars.

Also, they have shuttles from the airport to South Lake. I think like 40 bucks both ways. I was there the last week of the season, last year, and it was sweaters all day. Just bring a decent outer shell, and I'm sure you will be fine. I don't think they are going to get any crazy weather.

From what I hear, Heavenly has the most snow, but it's all man made. Which doesn't bother anyone from Florida. I'm hitting Vail Jan 11-16th, skipping the shows.

Great feedback. I have heard about squaw valley. Is that any good?

I was a total ski/snowboard addict for the first half of my life and lived all over Tahoe.

Some questions: Are you gnars? Or are you a gaper?

Gnars in Tahoe:

1. Squaw Fuckin Valley AKA Squallywood - Lotsa lifts, lotsa choices, killer babes. Proving ground for snowboard groms & gnars trying to be ski stars on KT 22, Palisades, The Fingers, Rock Garden and Headwall. Home of some of the best free skiers in the USofA. Short drive from Reno Airport depending upon weather 1 hour if it's clear to 3 days if it's snowing. Can get very crowded. Lotsa nightlife. Lodging way too expensive to stay @ the mountain - do the short 20 minute drive to North Lake Tahoe for a million little cozy Motels for 1/10th the price than staying mountainside in Squaw Valley.

2. Kirkwood - An hour and a half drive south of Reno and through some windy dangerous roads tucked back in the frozen mountains of the Sierras. Once you get there, you'll wanna stay for a week - partly because of the long treacherous sketchy drive, partly because you'll feel like you landed in Heaven when you arrive. Big bowls, nice cliffs, hot girls, cool atmosphere, great ski-vacation vibe. Hot runs: "The Wall" (Black Diamond) "Once is Enough" (3XXX Black Dianond), and "Heart Chute" (if you have to ask... don't even think about it!) Backside (Intermediate & sunny) and almost any run is great here and the snow is the best kept secret on the West coast.

If you are a gaper (stops in middle of ski run to gape at scenery: "Look at the view Martha..." aka Ted & Betty aka Tourist:

1. Heavenly. Best views in Tahoe. Lotsa great steep long runs but no cliffs, double & triple diamond runs or teenagers trying to go 100 MPH to prove themselves to the Warren Miller crew filming @ Squaw & Kirkwood. But... right @ the base is 20 casinos, 200 bars, 5 star restaurants & countless hotels, Motels, lodges & great nightlife in South Lake Tahoe. About a 45 minute drive from Reno airport.

Everything else is just second best. That's my "Local" opinion. Contact me for more details though I've already writen enough here - I think I answered your questions. Lake Tahoe is awesome in the summer too. Kudos!

YES, YES, YES and YES.
Its been my favourite place- you can hit a run right from that windy ass pass at the top of the bowl right down through the bowl, onto some beautiful piste and straight down to base without stopping. Knee trembling, jaw freezing, eyes watering, MASSIVE grin!
Just a top place, I loved it.

Good to go to Tahoe- I stay at Heavenly whcih is good anyway, but get a car so you can go round the lake and visit all the mountains. Also, if you're at Heavenly, you can pop to the Nevada side and eat cheap in the casinos! Damn I'm a cheap ass! :thumbsup

Dude it's freezing cold! But there is so many slopes everyone gets powder. Tahoe is just an amazing place for skying and having fun. Great scenery, respectful people, love it there.

Definably worth getting a cabin if you have some extra cash.

i like to poo in Lake tahoe...

nice..im wanting to hit tahoe one day also...nice feedback here

Skying? Staring at the sky? Get outta the middle of my run GAPER!!!

went to board there like 4 years ago, was pretty good imo :thumbsup

Tahoe gets very cold and very warm depending if there is a storm. When I say warm I mean you can ski in a short sleeve shirt only because you are exerting yourself. If there is a storm expect blizzard like conditions.

For the most part many of the runs are close to the main town and hotels. Some of the best stuff is a long drive away though...

Flying into Tahoe is very expensive. Flying into Reno and driving to Tahoe is very inexpensive.

It's only great if there is Snow.....It's all mad made up there.

Sadly this year has yet to really get started. We live just down the hill and are chomping at the bit to head up and board. We have only gotten in one day so far and very few runs were open due to the complete lack of snow we have had so far this season.

As far as flying in, you can actually fly into either Sacramento or Reno, they both take about the same amount of time to get up the hill and to the Tahoe Area. Reno is a bit closer, but you are limited on flight times, SMF is only slightly further, but your flight times are far less restricted.

I wish I could tell you that it would be worth your trip, but the sad fact is that right now there has been so little snow, you will be on all man made stuff.

I'm heading out out in FEB, god please give us lots of snow before then!

Fly to Reno
Snowboard at heavenly
Bring or buy gear.

Stay somewhere in southshore stateline area

Maybe check out Sierra At Tahoe if you get bored with heavenly.

Unless you are really good which you cant really be living in FL heavenly has all you need

have fun

We are heading up there in Feb as well, the last weekend of, staying in the stateline area and planning to do a couple days at Heavenly. We have season passes to Heavenly and Northstar.

You gotta ride Squaw. I worked there back in 93' selling tickets in the booth and that place rocks. Great memories.

Home Wood is a sweet smaller resort on the west side and Northstar has some good terrain and parks. I think Alpine and Kirkwood allow snowboarding now, but back then it was skiing only.

Of all, you have to ride Squaw.