How to Go Skiing in Kirkwood, California

Find Kirkwood, California, about a 45-minute drive away from the south shore of Lake Tahoe. This resort features consistent snow packs and has one of the highest base elevations in the Sierras, but it does not see as many visitors as other resorts in the surrounding area. You will find plenty of room to ski and snowboard at this resort off the beaten track.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

Choose Your Lodging

1. Reserve on-site accommodations by calling [phone] or by visiting the Kirkwood Web site (see Resources below). On-site options include a variety of accommodations scattered throughout a large number of properties.
2. Save money when you reserve a room at the more moderately priced Sun Meadows facility. Kirkwood boasts a number of luxury properties, but Sun Meadows is better suited to skiers watching their wallets.
3. Splurge on luxury, from the ski-in/ski-out condos of The Lodge at Kirkwood to the two- and three-bedroom townhouses of Lost Cabin. Rates are more moderate for large groups, so consider vacationing with friends.

Arrange Transportation to Kirkwood

4. Fly into Reno, Nevada for the closest airport to the ski resort in Kirkwood. Book inexpensive airline tickets to this casino town and reach the south shore of Lake Tahoe by car in about 1 hour.
5. Drive up to Kirkwood from the Bay Area of California on U.S. Highway 50 East. The trip takes about 4 hours. Be sure to bring tire chains as a precaution when driving through mountain territory.
6. Book a trip by train to Kirkwood when you ride on Amtrak's Zephyr line to Truckee. From there, you can rent a car to reach the resort or find out if your hotel offers shuttle service from the station.
7. Drive your RV up to Kirkwood. This resort offers parking for a limited number of RVs, so a prepaid parking pass is required. You can stay a maximum of three days at Kirkwood in your RV.

Plan Your Ski Trip to Kirkwood

8. Ski at Kirkwood, California, from mid-November through April most years. The resort experiences an average of 500 inches of snowfall every year, making for excellent skiing conditions. Kirkwood has a vertical drop of 2,000 feet and a summit of 9,800 feet.
9. Find 10 chairlifts and two surface lifts to the slopes at Kirkwood. There are more than 65 trails on the mountain, and the average difficulty level is intermediate, with about 15 percent ideal for the beginner skier.
10. Freestyle on terrain features off several trails at Kirkwood, including Adventure Land, which offers beginners a chance to explore freestyle moves in a gentle terrain.
11. Take the slow way through the mountains when you take advantage of Kirkwood's cross-country and snowshoeing facilities. You will find groomed trails ideal for these winter sports, and you may even bring your dog along for the journey.
12. Locate a basic ski report on the main page of the Kirkwood Web site, and click on the “Weather Reports” link for more in-depth data.