North Lake Tahoe, California

Northstar at Tahoe
Northstar at Tahoe has long been known as a family-friendly ski resort, and we rate it best at Lake Tahoe for family skiing and snowboarding. Base elevation is 6,330 feet (1,929 meters), the summit is at 8,610 feet (2,624 meters), and average annual snowfall is 350 inches (9 meters). Northstar at Tahoe is the only area ski resort that offers free, overnight ski check to everyone. Moderate-pitched, well-groomed Mt. Pluto is the family skiing place here, while intermediate skiers like Schaffer's Camp. The Backside provides long, uninterrupted runs of groomed powder and bumps and Lookout Mountain offers plenty of steeps and tree skiing. A wide variety of terrain parks are available for snowboarders and freestyle skiers. Learn to ski with the Learn to Ride program or improve your skills during the free, daily Free Ride Sessions, any time except peak periods mid-December through mid-January and the second week of February. Other winter activities include ice skating, cross-country skiing and tubing.

Alpine Meadows
The Sierra crest forms the western border of both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. In Alpine Bowl and Summit Bowl at 8,500 feet, snowfall averages about 450 inches. The Alpine Meadows recorded average of 387 inches is measured at its 7,000 foot base, about a mile east of the Sierra crest. The Scott Peak and Lakeview areas extend another mile east of the base and probably get a little less snow despite being over 8,000 feet. Alpine Meadows is about half north facing with a complete range of exposures on the other half. Alpine Meadows is one mile south of Squaw, but conditions tend to be more consistent. The base area is higher and closer to the Sierra Crest, so it will have better early season coverage and be less sloppy in warm weather. It also means that much or all of the area will be closed for wind or avalanche control during storms. In general, Alpine has a fairly swift transition to spring conditions, particularly with the wide range of exposures. It is definitely a "follow the sun" mountain: South facing Sherwood in the morning, east facing sections of the Summit bowl midday, and west facing Scott and Lakeview in the afternoon will often have ideal corn snow.

Homewood Ski Resort
The average snowfall at Homewood is 482 inches (512 inches last season). The base elevation is 6,230 feet and the summit is 7,800 feet, making for a vertical drop of 1,650 feet. There is a day lodge at the north and south base areas of the mountain. Homewood is a powder lover's paradise! Skiers can take in fantastic panoramas from 99% of Homewood's 56 runs spread out over 1,260 acres. There are four chairlifts and four surface lifts to whisk skiers and riders to incredible powder and tree skiing and excellent groomed runs that will satisfy every skill level. The varied terrain is rated 15% beginner, 50% advanced and 35% vital intermediate. The longest run is two miles. Homewood is a great mountain for the family that likes to ski and play together. The resort is family oriented and the friendly staff encourage nonstop fun. The varied terrain enables all of the family members to have a challenging and enjoyable experience suited to individual abilities. Kids ten years and under ski free!