Kirkwood is my favorite and most often skied resort near Tahoe, but it has some limitations. Only two high-speed lifts: Timber Creek serving low intermediate and Cornice serving advanced. Best lifts are slow and often closes during storms: The Wall, advanced and expert, and Sunrise aka Backside, intermediate to advanced and expert on some returns to frontside. Kirkwood runs more lifts during storms than Heavenly or Palisades so if you can get there during storm, you should get powder. Access from W on CA-88 often closes due to avalanche control when there is 12" of more new snow and sometime can close for a few days. Kirkwood is about 45 minutes from South Lake Tahoe with no traffic, but can be double that if it's storming and you get stuck behind line of vehicles going 25 mph or less with chains on. $3 beers at 7800. Free parking (reservations required) on weekends requires you to be early or you will have a long walk to lifts. Many great advanced to expert runs.

Love that Kirkwood is its own little village. Restaurant, slopes and shops are all within a short walking distance from accommodations. Scenery is gorgeous, employees are super friendly and overall one of the best atmospheres

Short but steep runs, chutes, and natural drops. Not recommended for beginners and challenging for intermediate skiers and boarders.

I go to kirkwood most of the time after exploring all lake tahoe and some resort in oregon and kirkwood kick ass its super great especially if your an expert rider .

Perfect mountain for snowboarders, more remote than nearby mountains. Usually good snow conditions and not many flat spots

Big beautiful mountain, great snow, and friendly and efficient staff. Wait times were extremely friendly. Overall crows size was quite favorable as well.

I have seen instructors at the kids ski school yelling at the kids. I seriously couldnt believe it! A lot of the staff is on drugs

We spent a week in South Tahoe & hit Kirkwood twice. Personally I loved it there, but admittedly some of my group didn't like it as much. If I remember correctly some of them thought there wasn't enough extreme terrain or more specifically they sleeps as they really like their steeds. IMO it had plenty of diversity.

I learned to ski on the slopes at Kirkwood and still find fun runs to improve my skills. Super fun resort!

Hi there mountain people! Heavenly Resort is an amazing resort with decent mountain height and friendly amazing workers there to brighten your day. Both the California and Nevada sides of the resort are fun to shred, but I prefer California side since the runs are a little wider and there is an amazing view of the vast Lake Tahoe in the background that is to die for! Snow condition is usually great and not icy with a lot of powder stashes between the trees for adventurous riders. The food and drink bar is great, but obviously a little pricy compared to food and drink outside the resort. And the park setups are really fun. The runs arent too long or short and they have plenty of different features that are friendly for both beginner and veteran park enthusiasts. Lastly, the surrounding area around Heavenly is downright fun and exhilarating! There are plenty of restaurants, casinos, and shops to keep you and your friends entertained for the whole time you visit. I highly recommend visiting Heavenly resort if you are planning to visit Lake Tahoe, you wont regret it! Happy shredding and Happy Holidays!