From left: Marcio, Mario, Vivien, Billy, Alan, Janis, Margaret, Michelle, Alex, and Chris.
Ever complained about out-of-this-world prices for lift tickets? Yes, I'm refering to those $50+ we have to fork out at Squaw, Heavenly, Northstar, or Alpine Meadows. Although there are days when we don't mind spending the bucks to ski in a world-class resort, there's the rest of the days when something less expensive will do.
Here is a list of some of the other ski resorts in the Tahoe area that are smaller, less expensive, but still fun to go.
Boreal |
Just off I-80 (top of Donner Summit at Castle Peak exit), Boreal is the
only place offering night skiing (9am-9pm). It's a safe-haven for
snowboarders, who might even out-number skiers.
www.borealski.com |
(916) 426-3666 |
Homewood |
Off Hwy-89 six miles south of Tahoe City, Homewood has a panoramic view
of the lake. It seems small but it's got 10 lifts and over 1,260 skiable
acres. Wednesdays are buy one get one free days.
www.skihomewood.com |
(800) Tahoe-4-U |
Diamond Peak |
Its runs and chairs sheltered from the worst elements on a cold, blustery
day, Diamond Peak offers lake side trails for beginner to advanced skiers.
The resort features chairlifts similar to a moving sidewalk that has been
popular in Europe for a decade.
www.skidiamondpeak.com | (775)831-3211 |
Bear Valley |
Located at the end of Hwy-4 East, Bear Valley is closer than Lake Tahoe
for skiers in the South Bay. With 1,280 acres of chutes, cliffs, moguls,
and bowls of deep powder, the resort has an unusual layout: you get out
of the car and you're looking down, rather than up, at the advanced
terrain.
www.bearvalley.com | (209) 753-2301 |
Dodge Ridge |
Located 30 miles east of Sonora on Hwy-108 near northern Yosemite,
you don't have to drive over any cliffs to reach it. The resort
has 12 lifts on an 815 acre area.
www.dodgeridge.com | (209) 965-3474 |
Badger Pass (Yosemite) |
This ski area is right on Yosemite and an unlikely place for skiing,
but if you can get through Hwy-120 and on to Glacier Point Road to
read Badger Pass, you are on for great scenery and inexpensive thrills.
www.badgerpass.com | (209) 372-8444 |
Soda Springs |
Self-labeled as California's largest snow tubing resort, you will have
to share half the 4 lifts with tubers, but it is still a great deal for
the money for beginner skiers and snowboarders. I actually learned how
to ski at Soda Springs.
www.skisodasprings.com | (530) 426-1010 |
Donner Ski Ranch |
The third resort off the Soda Springs/Norden exit off I-80, Donner Ski
Ranch is just around the corner from Sugar Bowl, with 6 lifts and 27 runs
covering the entire mountain at 7031 ft. With only a 750 ft vertical rise
from the base, it is relatively flat but great for beginners who need
a lot of space.
www.donnerskiranch.com | (530)426-3635 |
From left: Marcio, Mario, Vivien, Billy, Alan, Janis, Margaret, Michelle, Alex, and Chris.