How to Go Skiing in Alpine Meadows, California

The Lake Tahoe region of California boasts some of the best skiing on the West Coast. Alpine Meadows, located along the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, is no exception. This resort is known for quantity and quality, with fast lifts and low ticket prices. The vertical drop for Alpine Meadows is 1,802 feet, and its summit is 8,637 feet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Book Your Lodging

1. Stay in accommodations that range from standard hotel rooms to suites in a Lake Tahoe casino to slopeside condominiums when you plan your ski trip to Alpine Meadows.

2. Book a “Lift and Lodging” package through the Alpine Meadows Web site (see Resources below). These packages are for hotels along the shuttle route, where prices range from moderate to expensive. You can also make reservations by calling Alpine Meadows at [phone].

3. Expect to pay big money when you book luxury accommodations near the resort. The price will depend on the package and room type.

Arrange Transportation

4. Fly into the closest airport, located in Reno, Nevada. You can also book travel to a San Francisco Bay Area airport (a 4-hour drive away) or Sacramento (about 2 hours away).

5. Book a room at a hotel on the complimentary shuttle route and you can get a free ride directly to the slopes. The shuttle routes and schedule are available on the resort's Web site.

6. Drive up to Alpine Meadows, but be sure to bring tire chains. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, so always check highway conditions before starting out.

Plan Your Ski Trip to Alpine Meadows

7. Locate Alpine Meadows Ski Resort in the Tahoe National Forest. This resort covers nearly 2,400 acres of terrain ideal for skiing and winter sports. The resort is typically open from mid-November to late May.

8. Enjoy the best ski conditions at Alpine Meadows in the spring. Though the ski season begins in the winter, March is the prime month for hitting the slopes in Alpine Meadows.

9. Refer to the online calendar featuring upcoming events on the slopes. Frequently, you will find competitions scheduled for the weekends, as well as special concerts and free events sponsored by the ski resort.

10. Buy lift tickets online for use on 12 lifts at Alpine Meadows through the resorts iRide program. Alpine Meadows features one high-speed, detachable six-skier chair, two high-speed four-seaters, three triple chairs and five double chairs, as well as one surface lift.

11. Find lift operation details online. The information is updated at 6 a.m. each morning and will provide details on the number and kind of lifts open that day.

12. Call [phone] for the ski report or read it online. You'll find the snow report listed under “Conditions” on the main page of the Web site.

Tips & Warnings

• Book online to find deals, packages and specials.