Tahoe JONG questions

[AntiSoCalSkier]

OK, so I've skied the Tahoe areas before, but I've got a bunch of dumb questions about roads and restaurants before my trip up there this week:

1. I'm driving from LA on Wednesday (leaving around 8:00am). What's the fastest way to get to SLT. Normally, I'd take I-5 to Hwy 50, but since it's the day before Thanksgiving, I'm thinking there will be a ton of traffic. Would it be better to detour through Kirkwood instead of taking 50 in? Is there some other super-secret route I should be using?

2. What's the best way to drive from SLT to Mammoth? We're driving home on Sunday via the 395 to avoid the psycho traffic on I-5 (really, I swear, I'm not taking this route just to tack on a few hours of skiing at Mammoth).

3. Since we'll be in SLT for Thanksgiving, does anyone have any suggestions for dinner? I don't want to spend a fortune (maybe $60 total for two people). I was thinking about the Caesar's Palace buffet, but my wife seems to think that's a bad idea.

edit - I'll try to make a 10 @ 10 meeting one of the days, probably Friday.

[tcohee]

OK, so I've skied the Tahoe areas before, but I've got a bunch of dumb questions about roads and restaurants before my trip up there this week:

1. I'm driving from LA on Wednesday (leaving around 8:00am). What's the fastest way to get to SLT. Normally, I'd take I-5 to Hwy 50, but since it's the day before Thanksgiving, I'm thinking there will be a ton of traffic. Would it be better to detour through Kirkwood instead of taking 50 in? Is there some other super-secret route I should be using?

2. What's the best way to drive from SLT to Mammoth? We're driving home on Sunday via the 395 to avoid the psycho traffic on I-5 (really, I swear, I'm not taking this route just to tack on a few hours of skiing at Mammoth).

3. Since we'll be in SLT for Thanksgiving, does anyone have any suggestions for dinner? I don't want to spend a fortune (maybe $60 total for two people). I was thinking about the Caesar's Palace buffet, but my wife seems to think that's a bad idea.

edit - I'll try to make a 10 @ 10 meeting one of the days, probably Friday.

THANKS FOR CALLLLLING KIRKWOOD!!!! IT IS TUUUUEESDAY MORNING AND HERE IS THE LATEST FROM KIRKWOOD. WELL WE EXPECT CLEAR SKIES AND SUNSHINE TO DOMINATE THE DAY AGAIN TODAY. ROADS ARE OPEN AND CLEAR AND THE DEEPEST SNOWPACK IN THE SIERRAS IS AVAILABLE YOU AT KIRKWOOD HERE AT KIRKWOOD. FOR TODAY, TUESDAY, WE HAVE 5 MAJOR LIFTS OPENING UP THE ENTIRE FRONTSIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN OPEN

1. I'm driving from LA on Wednesday (leaving around 8:00am). What's the fastest way to get to SLT. Normally, I'd take I-5 to Hwy 50, but since it's the day before Thanksgiving, I'm thinking there will be a ton of traffic. Would it be better to detour through Kirkwood instead of taking 50 in? Is there some other super-secret route I should be using?

http://www.kirkwood.com/images/norcalmap2.jpg

THAAAANKS FOR LOOKING AT THE MAP TO KIRKWOOD WE HAVE THE EASIEST HASSLE-FREE AND TRAFFIC-LKESS ACCESS AS WELL AS THE DEEPEST SNOWPACK IN ALL OF THE SIERRAS

2. What's the best way to drive from SLT to Mammoth? We're driving home on Sunday via the 395 to avoid the psycho traffic on I-5 (really, I swear, I'm not taking this route just to tack on a few hours of skiing at Mammoth).

THE BEST WAY IS TO FOLLOW 88 TO KIRKWOOD AND SKI THERE. WE HAVE SPECIAL LODGING PACKAGE AVAILABLE FOR THANKSGIVING, AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO SPEND THANKSGIVING THAN TO SKI KIRKWOOD AND GIVE THANKS FOR THE DEEPEST POWDER AND BEST TERRAIN OPEN IN THE SIERRAS.

[BentPole]

Is there some other super-secret route I should be using?

It's not super-secret, but from the central valley, take 99 to jacktone rd. near ripon. take this to 88 and kirkwood as normal. It cuts some of the congested highway miles out.

[IE]

Watch out for cops on 88. Got a ticket on Saturday. Fucking asshole pulled our car out of the middle of the pack of about eight cars...

[FreshPow]

Related Jong question:

I keep hearing about this place called "Bear Valley" off of Hwy 4

anybody have anything to say about this place? Is it worth it or should I just go to Sugar Bowl since I'm driving from the Delta area?

[SkiCougar]

3. Since we'll be in SLT for Thanksgiving, does anyone have any suggestions for dinner? I don't want to spend a fortune (maybe $60 total for two people). I was thinking about the Caesar's Palace buffet, but my wife seems to think that's a bad idea.

i'd go either riva grill or The Fresh Ketch, both have good lake views; for a cool turkey day dinner. motts canyon cafe is good, but pretty casual for turkey dinner; or you could go for the tahoe dixie dinner cruise; but that'll be over your price range.

[SkiCougar]

and i have heard good stuff about dory's + swiss chalet; but hadnt been.

[AntiSoCalSkier]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I will give 88 a shot. I suspect it may be a little bit slower of a drive (less 4-lane highway), but I'm betting that there will be a lot less traffic. Plus the scenery should be phenomenal.

[Ubersheist]

Anti - I've heard repetitively that the fastest way up to SLT from L.A. is to take 395 up into Nevada and then cut over on the Kingsbury Grade. I know that's the route I took a number of years back when I was living in L.A. Anyone else have better knowledge of this route?

[DJSapp]

Anti: From firsthand knowledge 5 to 99 to 88 to kirkwood = 7 hours with clear roads and a heavy foot. Add 45 min to South Lake Tahoe from Kirkwood. 395 over the back I believe will take longer unless you have a lead foot (5.5 hours to Mammy, 3 from Mammy to SLT)