Touring North Lake Tahoe's Downhill Resorts

The North Tahoe region offers an abundance of terrain choices, from huge, world-class resorts to small, family-run operations. There is a rich ski history here, and whatever your skill level or choice of adventure, you can find it in Noth Lake Tahoe. See the chart on page 22 to compare resort offerings and facts.

- Alison Bender

ALPINE MEADOWS

Spread over 2,400 acres, including seven spectacular open bowls, Alpine Meadows is a laid-back locals favorite. Alpine has plenty of varied terrain for beginners and experts alike. Treeline Cirque is a brand new chairlift that zips from the base area to high ridge in just five minutes. It’s mid-station accesses some of Alpine’s best easy-intermediate terrain. Kids as young as 3 can learn to ride at the ski school, and the resort is home to Achieve Tahoe, offering winter sports instruction for people with disabilities. The Chalet, Alpine’s midmountain Bavarian-style beer garden, is a perfect stop for a beer and a bite, or, in the spring, try the Ice Bar on the resort’s backside. 1.800.403.0206, squawalpine.com

BOREAL MOUNTAIN RESORT

High atop Donner Summit, Boreal is the perfect park riding resort, with six parks and a half-pipe. Encompassing 380 acres, Boreal offers night riding, with the lifts spinning from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Woodward Tahoe, an action-sport training facility with indoor trampolines, foam pits, and skate parks sits just beside the lodge. 530.426.3663, rideboreal.com

DIAMOND PEAK

Located in Incline Village, Diamond Peak boasts some of the area’s best scenery over its 655 skiable acres. This family-friendly resort offers a great ski school, and kids 6 and younger ski free (as do seniors 80-plus). The mid-mountain Snowflake Lodge is a perfect spot for a hot-chocolate break, and the 21-and-over crowd can take advantage of Last Tracks events, held Saturdays, February through April, and includes wine or beer tastings and appetizers followed by a nice cruise down a freshly groomed intermediate slope. 775.832.1177, diamondpeak.com

DONNER SKI RANCH