Lake Tahoe Ski, Snowboard, and Snow Play Family Fun

Living in the Bay Area, it's unlikely that we're going to get a white Christmas, or much snow at any time during the winter for that matter. Fortunately, Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada mountains, and all the snow play fun you could possibly want are just a few hours away.

Our favorite mountain destination is Northstar California Resort near Truckee, but there are numerous ski resorts and snow play areas around Lake Tahoe to suit anyone's taste and budget.

Here's our guide to places to ski, snowboard, tube, sled, and play in the snow around Tahoe. We're tried to focus on spots that offer not only skiing and snowboarding, but tubing, snow play, and other winter activities, as well. If we've omitted your favorite, please let us know!

Due to this season's early snowfall, many resorts and ski areas are already open, especially larger operations like Northstar and Heavenly that make their own snow. Most others are tentatively scheduled to open by mid to late December. Make sure you check before you go, as opening dates are dependent on snowfall and weather; we've included website links and phone numbers.

North Lake Tahoe

Just a few hours away off Interstate 80, North Lake Tahoe and the Truckee area offer a huge concentration of ski resorts and other destinations for fun in the snow.

Northstar

• Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoeing, cross-country, terrain parks, ice skating, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
• Lodging, dining, shopping, activities, and events in the Northstar Village
• 5100 Northstar Drive (off Highway 267), Truckee; www.northstarcalifornia.com or 1-800-GO-NORTH

Squaw Valley

• Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, mini-snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country, terrain parks, ice skating, dog-sledding, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
• Lodging, dining, activities, and events in the Village at Squaw Valley
• 1980 Squaw Valley Road, Olympic Village; www.squaw.com or 1-800-403-0206

Granlibakken

• Skiing, snowboarding, snow play, snowshoeing, cross-country, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
• On-site lodging and dining
• 725 Granlibakken Road, Tahoe City; www.granlibakken.com or 1-800-403-0206

Soda Springs

• Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, mini-snowmobiling, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
• On-site dining
• 10244 Soda Springs Road (off I-80 near Donner Summit); www.skisodasprings.com or (530) 426-3901

Tahoe Donner

• Skiing, snowboarding, cross-country, tubing, sledding, snow play, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
• On-site dining and activities
• 11509 Northwoods Boulevard, Truckee; www.tahoedonner.com or (530) 587-9400

Boreal

• Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, terrain park, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
• On-site lodging and dining
• 19749 Boreal Ridge Road, Truckee; www.rideboreal.com or (530) 426-3666

Donner Ski Ranch

• Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
• On-site dining
• 19320 Donner Pass Road, Norden; www.donnerskiranch.com or (530) 426-3635

South Lake Tahoe

Reached via Highway 50, the southern end of Lake Tahoe is home to South Lake Tahoe (the region's most populour city), Stateline, Nevada, and numerous ski resorts and areas.

Heavenly

• Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ski bikes, snowshoeing, scenic gondola rides, terrain parks, ice skating, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
• Lodging, dining, shopping, activities, and events in the Heavenly Village
• 3860 Saddle Road, South Lake Tahoe; www.skiheavenly.com or 1-800-HEAVENLY

Kirkwood

• Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snow play, cross-country, terrain parks, zip lines, snow cat tours, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
• Lodging, dining, activities, and events in the Kirkwood Village
• 1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive, Kirkwood; winter.kirkwood.com or 1-877-KIRKWOOD

Sierra at Tahoe

• Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, sledding, snow play, cross-country, snowshoeing, terrain parks, ski and snowboard lessons and rentals
• On-site dining
• 1111 Sierra at Tahoe Road, Twin Bridges; www.sierraattahoe.com or (530) 659-7453

Adventure Mountain

• Beginner snowboarding, tubing, sledding, saucers, snow play, snowshoeing, sled and tube rental
• On-site dining and shopping
• 21200 Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe (at Echo Summit); adventuremountaintahoe.com or (530) 659-7217