Tahoe area questions - Coming on the 23rd

[sculhane]

Hi,

After a frustrating winter of not being able to ski much because of work, things are finally quiet enough that I can go for a week. So I arrive next Friday in SF and since I have all very little Tahoe experience, I have a few questions:

- What will still be open? It seems that Rose is closing the 23rd, Sierra the 24th and Kirkwood the 30th. The others appear to be open forever. Can anyone confim this first hand?
- What's a good central place to stay cheap in North Lake Tahoe to be close to Alpine/Squaw/Rose?
- Are the sports shop selling discount lift tix (a la Canyon Sports in SLC)?

Of course, it would be cool to ski with some of you. Let me know if you are going to be around...

Thanks,

Steve

[irul&ublo]

Hi,

After a frustrating winter of not being able to ski much because of work, things are finally quiet enough that I can go for a week. So I arrive next Friday in SF and since I have all very little Tahoe experience, I have a few questions:

- What will still be open? It seems that Rose is closing the 23rd, Sierra the 24th and Kirkwood the 30th. The others appear to be open forever. Can anyone confim this first hand?
- What's a good central place to stay cheap in North Lake Tahoe to be close to Alpine/Squaw/Rose?
- Are the sports shop selling discount lift tix (a la Canyon Sports in SLC)?

Of course, it would be cool to ski with some of you. Let me know if you are going to be around...

Thanks,

Steve

Not sure about any discount tix, but Alpine is only 41 every day. The closing dates sound about right.

For cheap loding, try the old casinos on the North Shore, Tahoe Biltmore and the Cal-Neva. About 35-40 min from Alpine/Squaw and same from Rose. I think there may be some ticket/loding deals with them too.

Pretty sure there will be a few maggots around Alpine, Squaw and Rose.

[VC]

Don't know how many days youre skiing or if you want to go to a bunch of different places, but alpine spring pass in $99 so three days there makes it worth while

[P_McPoser]

Hotels can be found in reno for around 30 bucks, if you're going for uber cheap.

[paedde]

Hey Mr. it looks like you are going to have some powder days. Not sure yet but with some luck it’s going to snow on the 22nd in the afternoon, 23rd in the afternoon and 26th could be the big one.

Have fun!

[G]

Heavenly closes on sunday the 23rd. I have some coupons redeemable for a $30 day pass.


If anyone wants one, send me a PM.

[dfinn]

Something to consider...Alpine has a spring pass that they are selling for $100. Go there for 3 days and you've more than got your moneys worth. Alpine is probably your best bet for good terrain and minimal crowds. Squaw is probably worth checking out too.

[Sinecure]

Squaw and Alpine are your best bets IMO. There's a Travelodge in Tahoe City that's probably pretty cheap. They even have a hot tub with a view of the lake and there's good food and drinking spots w/in 5 minutes walk. Tahoe City is about 10 minutes drive from Alpine and 12 from Squaw. You shouldn't have any trouble finding places with vacancy now. As pointed out, the Alpine Spring Fling pass for $99 is an amazing deal if you are going to ski 3 or more days. Also, you might look on the Ski Pals or BASS (Bay Area Ski Snowboard something or other) groups on Yahoogroups. Lots of folks have been posting that they are giving away/selling cheap their leftover vouchers to various places.

You'll find some maggots at Alpine most days.

Bring me some Poutine and I'll buy you a beer.

[The Dad]

Another good bet for pretty cheap lodging is Granlibakken, just south of Tahoe City. They have package deals with both Squaw and Alpine, and a kick-ass breakfast buffet.

In the not-exactly-cheap-but-damned-convenient category, if you sign up for Squaw Valley Lodge's Granite Chief Club, it looks like you can get a nice room at the base of KT-22 for $125/weekdays plus tax. And after 5/1, you can stay at Plumpjack (at the base; it was the dignitaries' lodging for the 1960 Olympics) midweek for $317 for three nights, double oc, including breakfasts.

[sculhane]

Bring me some Poutine and I'll buy you a beer.

Haha, good one I am sure it would look real good after 2 days... Actually, I always thought a poutine place would be a big hit in the US.

Thanks for your replies. I can ski from Saturday 22nd (I arrive Friday night late in SF) until the 29th (leave SF at 11:30 PM), but will most likely ski Sunday to Friday unless things are really good. I wanted to ski different places to know where to go in future trips, but definitely at least Alpine, Squaw and Kirkwood.

These 3 actually look like the worst places to be in storms, so I guess my questions is: Where do you go when the weather is bad? It appears that Sierra and Heavenly are more sheltered, but they both seem to be closing that week. Any other place to suggest?

Steve

[The Dad]

Homewood is reportedly good during storms, but I haven't been.

[dfinn]

Mt Rose is far from sheltered but when other resorts have most of their lifts shut down because of snow or wind Rose usually has everything open.

[TurxSki]

my questions is: Where do you go when the weather is bad? It appears that Sierra and Heavenly are more sheltered, but they both seem to be closing that week. Any other place to suggest?

Well, Northstar, aka Flatstar, is most sheltered. But they, too, close on the 23rd.

Heavenly often closes/delays Sky Express. I wouldn't call them particularly sheltered.
Only once can I remember a resort closing all the lifts (Sh-bowl), there's usually one or 2 you can ride up on. How many do you need ?

You might give Truckee a look-see for accomodation, btw.

We plan to be at N-star on Sun 23rd, and K-wood on Sat 29th. Prolly Alpine on Sunday 30th.

[Sinecure]

I'll likely be at Alpine on Saturday and Sunday if you want a tour. FRS Radio 20-4 or email/PM me beforehand. AlpineDad or AlpineMom might be there too (I'll ride with Dad, but Mom's a bit slow - no offense). I have no kids this weekend. And I'll keep my mouth shut about hockey since the Habs are in the playoffs and the Bruins aren't (but Joe Thornton's kicking butt for the Sharks now).

As AlpineDad said, Homewood is well protected, but kind of low unless its a cold storm. Alpine generally has more/better terrain open in bad weather than Squaw - strange since they are right next to each other, but that's been my experience. Looking at the weather report, you shouldn't have too much to worry about next week. Bring your sunscreen and leave your sweaters at home.

If you stay in Tahoe City, Incline Village or Truckee, you can drive to Kirkwood for a day trip or two. Depending on whether the West Shore road is open, budget 1.2-1.5 hours to get there. Don't go there on a snowy day.

Did you already book your flights? You are way better off flying into Reno than SFO. You'll save yourself a 4 hour drive. If you have, SFO is OK, just not optimal. Oh, and Enterprise and Budget usually have the best deals on 4WD vehicles if you plan to go that route.

[The Dad]

Alpine and Tahoe Biltmore have a stay and ski package starting at $59, single occ. http://www.skialpine.com/winter/plan/lodging

[Huckwheat]

Do you have Randonee? The skiing down the West Shore of the lake is pretty epic in the spring....maybe the best skiing to be found.

Sierra Corn Snow is Epic.

[kidwoo]

Do you have Randonee? The skiing down the West Shore of the lake is pretty epic in the spring.

Was pretty damn good yesterday too. WAAY deeper than anything I saw at alpine.

aaahhhh

Goodbye winter.

[TurxSki]

Sierra-at-Tahoe are having a customer appreciation day on Mon 24th. Their closing day. $15 lift-ticks.
A great resort. Lots of tree's.
Ski Eastabout/Castle/Preachers Passion, and the trees in-between.

[AKA]

Sierra-at-Tahoe are having a customer appreciation day on Mon 24th. Their closing day. $15 lift-ticks.
A great resort. Lots of tree's.
Ski Eastabout/Castle/Preachers Passion, and the trees in-between.

you are a fucking geek.

[sculhane]

Sierra-at-Tahoe are having a customer appreciation day on Mon 24th. Their closing day. $15 lift-ticks.
A great resort. Lots of tree's.
Ski Eastabout/Castle/Preachers Passion, and the trees in-between.

Thanks for the tip... Are they really closing on a Monday??? I am having a hard time understanding that one.

Steve

[Sinecure]

Thanks for the tip... Are they really closing on a Monday??? I am having a hard time understanding that one.

If you went there, you'd probably have a hard time understanding a lot about the place. Flat and boring.

[NoKnees]

True 'bout Sierra... Coupla fun outta bounds shots off the backside though... Nice little pillow lines...

Anyway, just pray for colder weather with the llittle bit of precip in the forecast... 8500 to 7000ft snow levels...

[TurxSki]

you are a fucking geek.

How come ?