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M$20 January 03, 2009 01:32 AM

Looking for help planning a long weekend snowboard/ski trip in Lake Tahoe (details below)

I'm planning a long weekend snowboard/ski trip with my wife and I'm wondering:

What mountain(s) should we go to?
(I'm an intermediate snowboarder and my wife is a beginner skier, and I'm looking for mountains with short lift lines and really long runs)

Where should we stay?
(On the mountain would be great, but isn't critical. I've heard you can get great deals if you rent direct from the owner and go w/ a big group. Is that a good idea (we may organize a group of friends for the trip)? My wife loves really nice hotels. Are there any great hotels for less than $200/night?

When should be go in the next few months?
(When are the conditions generally the best? What's the best way to find out when the conditions will be good?)

Thanks!
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January 04, 2009 05:37 AM
I used to work at a Ski Resort in Banff Alberta, so I can try to help you out.

Heavenly Resort has a special for the long MLK weekend, if your patient however you can get cheaper lift tickets after February 23rd (late season) I know in Banff the snow is sometimes good through April and into May, I can't imagine bad snow in March, so waiting might be the best way to go.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33749589@N07/3165052955/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33749589@N07/3165058759/


The Mountain looks pretty impressive, you can see there is large beginners area with plenty of lengthy blue runs
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33749589@N07/3165040967/


Finding accommodations for under $200 isn't much a feat, they have a nifty tool where you can plug in what type of amenities you are looking for and they will find the appropriate hotel, I plugged in all the stuff you would expect (shuttle to mountain, breakfast, wet bar etc...) and every result returned was under $100.
You can try it out here and they provide links to all the recommended hotels. http://www.skiheavenly.com/plan_your_trip/accommodations/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/33749589@N07/3165066491/


Good Luck, enjoy your trip, and next time try Banff :)
Source(s):
http://www.skiheavenly.com/



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January 03, 2009 09:34 AM
Why not visit the official Lake Tahoe Visitor Bureau:
http://www.visitinglaketahoe.com/

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January 04, 2009 07:45 PM
There are more than a dozen ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area. Here is a guide to choosing the right one for you.

Resorts

The Lake Tahoe area has more than a dozen ski areas, so there is a resort (or more than one!) that matches your personality, skiing ability, and budget. You can bounce around and ski a new area each day, or stick with a favorite resort. Here are your choices:



Alpine Meadows - Squaw Valley’s down-to-earth next-door neighbor has lots of extreme terrain and is a local’s favorite. It is not especially beginner-friendly and the intermediate terrain is more challenging than at other resorts. For the past few seasons, Alpine has offered discount lift tickets, making it one of the better deals in Tahoe.


Boreal Ridge - This small resort is literally on Interstate 80 and is popular with snowboarders, night skiers, day-trippers, beginners, and families. It is reasonably priced and offers a parent-share ticket, so parents can take turns skiing and watching the kids.


Heavenly Valley - A big mountain spanning two states, Heavenly has a lot of flat beginner terrain (some complain of having to hike too much to reach other areas of the mountain) and intermediate runs. The views of Lake Tahoe are among the best; however, its relatively low altitude and proximity to the lake can mean marginal snow (in both quality and quantity). This is the place to go if you want nightlife, with casinos and a new base village just steps away from the gondola. Lift tickets are on the pricier side.

Homewood - A small, old Tahoe-style mountain on the west shore, Homewood has a first-class ski school and stunning views of the lake (in fact, standing at the top of one of its steepest faces, you feel as if you are going to drop right into the water). If Squaw and Alpine are packed (which is often the case on weekends), this is a low-key, low-cost alternative. If you like it enough to commit to more than one day of skiing here, the resort offers discounts on multi-day tickets.


Kirkwood - With a base elevation of nearly 8,000 feet, this resort, about 35 miles from Tahoe’s south shore, gets excellent snow. Kirkwood is a favorite of extreme skiers and powder hounds (if there’s going to be any powder, it’s going to be here). Discount tickets are available on weekdays, for multiple days, and by buying them from area ski shops (check with the resort for details). If you are traveling to and from the Bay Area or Central Valley, the drive on Highway 88 to Kirkwood has much less traffic than Highway 50 and Interstate 80, which are invariably jammed on weekends and holidays.


Mt. Rose - On the Nevada side of the lake, Mt. Rose is the closest resort to Reno (25 miles) and has the highest base elevation (8,200 feet). It is a decent mountain with a lot of intermediate and advanced terrain. Its lift ticket prices are average, but you can get deals on multi-day tickets.


Northstar-at-Tahoe - A family paradise that caters to kids on the north shore, Northstar has a good sports school, reasonable rates, and miles of intermediate terrain. Northstar offers free mid-week lessons for kids ages 3-4 with their parents (check with the resort for details), parent-share tickets, and multi-day discounts.


Sierra-at-Tahoe - Another good family resort just outside of Tahoe’s south shore, Sierra offers an excellent sports school and inexpensive skiing. Half the runs are intermediate, and the area boasts six terrain parks. Multi-day discount tickets are available.


Squaw Valley - This is where image-conscious skiers and riders go to see and be seen. The site of the 1960 Winter Olympics boasts steeps and cliffs, a newly-constructed base village, a swimming pool and ice skating rink at High Camp (reachable by cable car), and plenty of novice and intermediate terrain. It is an all-purpose resort if you can stand the attitude and swing the high prices. However, in an effort to attract more families, Squaw does offer deep discounts on kids’ tickets.


Sugar Bowl - This mid-sized, friendly mountain has two base lodges and numerous intermediate runs. Tucked away just off of Interstate 80, it is one of the closest ski areas to the Bay Area and the Central Valley (about an hour-and-a-half from Sacramento), but is usually less crowded than other resorts. Bargains can be had by purchasing left tickets are area retailers (check with the resort for details).


Smaller resorts


There are also a number of small resorts such as Diamond Peak, Dodge Ridge, Donner Ski Ranch, Granlibakken, Soda Springs, and Tahoe Donner, with just a few lifts. These ski areas are affordable and are ideal places for beginners to hone their skills before tackling bigger mountains (and shelling out more bucks).


Lodging


Generally, the closer you are to the ski area, the more expensive the lodging. Accommodations at the resorts range from luxury hotels and spas just steps away from the lifts to fully-furnished condominiums (which can be affordable the further they are from the action and the more people you have in your group). Other generalizations are (1) that weekends are more expensive than weekdays (but check with the resorts for lodging deals and packages), and (2) that the closer you are to the lake, the more you will pay to stay. Exceptions are small, no-frills motels in Tahoe City, South Lake Tahoe, or other towns that ring the lake.


If you plan to ski at Heavenly, you can find discount motels within blocks of the base village and the casinos. The town of Meyers (about 10 miles away from the south shore) also has discounted condos and is closer to Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood. If you don’t mind driving half-an-hour or so, stay in the nearby Carson Valley, and ski or ride from Heavenly’s Stagecoach Lodge on the Nevada side.


The west shore is relatively less developed than the south or north shores and has funky, rustic lodges and motels that are popular with families. The town of Truckee, on Interstate 80 about 15 miles from Tahoe City may also offer less expensive accommodations, and is a short drive from Northstar, Squaw, Alpine, and Boreal. Lodging in the Donner Pass and Sugar Bowl areas is much less expensive than in Truckee or Tahoe.


You also might consider staying in Reno. Many casino hotels have packages that include transportation to and from the ski resorts, rooms, and airfare. You can also stay in Reno and easily drive to Mt. Rose.


Renting a condo with another family or groups of friends can save you money because you will have a kitchen and can buy groceries, rather than spending money on pricier restaurant meals. Check with airlines for ski packages as well; the closest airports to Tahoe are in Reno and Sacramento and are served by most of the major airlines.


Clothes


Weather can change rapidly in the Sierra. A cold morning can yield to a warm afternoon (and vice versa). Wind is always a possibility.


To stay comfortable in changing conditions, dress in layers that you can shed (and put back on) as needed. Start with Capilene (or another synthetic material) long underwear - top and bottom. Add waterproof ski or snowboard pants, a turtleneck (preferably with a zipper at the neck for climate control), a fleece vest, and a wind-proof, waterproof jacket or shell. The best pants and jackets have zippers for ventilation on warm days.


Weather


Weather in the Lake Tahoe area is usually pretty mild and almost always above zero. Daytime temps average in the 30s and 40s in December and January, and increase as spring approaches. The Sierra enjoys many sunny days in winter, and sunscreen is a must when skiing and riding in Tahoe.


Generally, the closer you are to the lake, the warmer it will be. So there could be spring-like conditions at Heavenly, while it’s still winter in Kirkwood.


As mentioned above, weather can change rapidly, so if you are driving in the Tahoe area, carry chains, as storms can come in swiftly and furiously.



A ski-weekend in Tahoe
A long weekend in the snow (TAKE A LOOK GOOD GUIDE)

http://www.nileguide.com/destination/lake-tahoe/trips/a-ski-weekend-in-tahoe/11381

South Lake Tahoe Hotels (WITH PRICES)

http://realtravel.com/dh-3164-south_lake_tahoe_hotels

South Lake Tahoe Attractions

http://realtravel.com/da-3164-south_lake_tahoe_attractions

Find house, cabin and condo rentals at http://www.tahoevacationguide.com

reviews which can help

http://www99.epinions.com/review/trvl-Ski_Resorts-United_States-California-Homewood_Mountain_Resort/trvl-review-4040-72A16E4-38A39499-prod2

upcoming trips plans

http://www.osc-ski.org/skiing/trips.asp

trips available to lake_tahoe

http://www.skiheavenly.com/lake_tahoe/getting_here/bus/

Travel guide

http://vacation.away.com/nevada/travel-v2-cid350483-lake-tahoe-cid400173-travel-guide.html

Ski Deals, With Lodging, From $138

http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2008/10/24/AR2008102401779.html

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