GO ON, GET A LITTLE OUT THERE.
Burning Man. An Extraterrestrial Highway. The Sphere. The Las Vegas Strip. Nevada has a higher concentration of “stranger things” than most U.S. states. Skiing in Nevada might sound strange, too, but it’s out there. In fact, Nevada ski resorts are among America’s best.
We don’t necessarily think skiing when we think Nevada, but with more than 300 mountain ranges, Nevada is the most mountainous state in the continental U.S.. Plus, did you know that in Spanish, the word nevada means “snow-capped?” There are three ski resorts on the Silver State side of the Sierra Nevada that deserve special mention: Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, Diamond Peak Ski Resort and Heavenly Mountain Resort.
More than 200 runs for beginners, intermediates and expert skiers are on offer at these destinations near Lake Tahoe. Add luxe Nevada hotels and dining, gladed runs, terrain parks, spectacular views, steeps and corduroy—plus copious dry snow that falls at high-elevations, which is perfect for skiing and snowboarding.
Go ahead, add Nevada to your must-ski list.
Fly easily into the Reno-Tahoe International Airport with connections through Las Vegas, Denver, San Francisco, Chicago, Phoenix and more. Soon you’ll be on your way to a day’s skiing at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, less than a 30-minute drive from the airport. With its corduroy runs, modern lifts, steep chutes, easy groomers and brand new Wildside Tahoe Tubing Center, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe cannot be missed.
Near the village of Incline in North Lake Tahoe, Diamond Peak Ski Resort awaits. Friendly, snowy and remote, this community-run ski resort has acres of quiet gladed runs and a view of Lake Tahoe that will stop you in your tracks.
Only an hour from Reno, Heavenly Mountain Resort is a megaresort straddling the Nevada/California stateline. Eighty percent of its terrain is geared toward intermediate skiers, with excellent expert terrain also on tap. Best of all, the view of Lake Tahoe is unbeatable. Oh, and as a Vail Resort, Heavenly Mountain Resort is on the Epic Pass.
So go on, Get A Little Out There!
There’s No Day Like A Rose Day: Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe
About 30 minutes from Reno-based hotels is Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe, a worthy warm-up for any Nevada ski trip. Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe has Lake Tahoe’s highest base elevation (2,517m) which contributes to the resort’s supreme snow conditions and a winter season that stretches longer than most.
Start with a fast ride up the Zephyr Express and cruise blue squares and single-black diamonds with bonanza-inspired names like Silver Dollar, Outlaw and Mine Train. With more than 70 trails and 550 vertical metres, there’s lots of terrain to choose from. Climax and Macho Bowls are fun to ski on a sunny day, or simply view skiers’ shenanigans from the Zephyr Express. Overland and Comstock Glades are some of the best in the business. Try The Chutes if you’re up for double-blacks. The Chutes offer 455 vertical metres on 40- to 55-degree extreme terrain; it’s some of the longest continuous vertical featured on North American slopes.
New this season at Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe: the largest tubing operation on the West Coast. The Wildside Tahoe Tubing Center is part of a $6-million upgrade that features a dual conveyor lift and 20 snow tubing lanes extending 250 metres in length. The Center also features a new lodge with loads of outdoor seating for sunny afternoons.
Hidden Wonder: Diamond Peak Ski Resort
If ever there was a hidden wonder in Nevada, it has to be Diamond Peak Ski Resort. Situated 43 kilometres from Reno and only 10 minutes from little Incline Village in North Lake Tahoe, this stunning ski area is a rare gem. Community-owned and operated, it’s big-mountain skiing with a down-home feel. While it’s common for Incline locals to come up for a few runs during their lunch breaks, it’s also common for first-time visitors to have the ski area to themselves. At a summit elevation of 2,600 metres, Diamond Peak boasts a 561-metre vertical drop, which translates to loads of dry snow and seemingly endless runs to ski—3.4 kilometres is the longest trail!
There are six lifts, a terrain park, multiple zones for uphill use, and backcountry access through a designated gate. But two aspects of Diamond Peak Ski Resort really stand out.
First, the glade skiing. Tree runs are many, and after a snowfall they can remain untracked for days. Favourites include the glade zones off Crystal Ridge, including Bonanza and Elevator Shaft. Solitude Canyon, another top tree-skiing zone, deserves multiple laps.
Second, Diamond Peak Ski Resort’s Snowflake Lodge is a special gem unto itself. At an elevation of 2,256 metres, it’s perched above Lake Tahoe like an eagle’s nest—the most spectacular place to eat with a view, by far.
Following a fun day skiing and snowboarding, the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe is only 10 minutes down the road. It’s a luxury resort and casino in Nevada, with fine dining, a pretty pool, and a short walk to the shore of the lake.
Tahoe Is Heavenly: Heavenly Mountain Resort
Curious about the beauty of Lake Tahoe? Start here. Heavenly Mountain Resort is perched high above the lake, offering dreamy, jaw-dropping views. But skiing is the no.1 reason you’re here, and on that score, Heavenly Mountain Resort does not disappoint.
Straddling two states (Nevada and California) with two base areas, the sheer size of Heavenly Mountain Resort will leave you awed. Epic Pass holders enjoy full access to the highest elevation (3,068 metres) and the longest vertical in Lake Tahoe’s vast ski region: 1,067 metres. With 28 lifts to choose from and nearly 100 runs, you can easily ski for several days. High-speed lifts like the Dipper Express and Canyon Express lead to a healthy mix of green, blue and black runs. There’s an easy-skiing zone at the top of the first gondola to get you warmed up. Cruisy groomers and glades get the adrenaline going, and the Milkyway Bowl and Stateline Chute really spice things up.
There are lots of on-hill dining options at Heavenly Mountain Resort, including Steins, Tamarack Lodge, and the Sky Deck. Off the hill, dining options on the Nevada side of the stateline are hard to match. New last season: Wolf by Vanderpump. Located off the casino floor at Caesars Republic, it’s more than a restaurant, it’s an experience. Bravo TV’s Lisa Vanderpump decorated this spectacle with multiple chandeliers, antlers, faux trees and two cages containing white marble wolves. The food and the cocktails are quirky, too, including the Huff & Puff—whiskey served in a bottle with hickory smoke, delivered in a metallic wolf’s head.
After a full day skiing and eclectic dining, rest is what you’ll crave. Choose lodging on the Nevada side of the stateline to enjoy all the Silver State has to offer, including a wide selection of hotels, motels and casino resorts. Nevada’s Edgewood Tahoe Resort exudes modern luxury, with stone floors, giant fireplaces and cathedral ceilings offering sweeping views of Lake Tahoe. After all that skiing at Heavenly Mountain Resort, the treatments at Spa Edgewood are exactly what you’ll need.
Save Room for the Ruby Mountains
If you’re up for a road trip, Elko’s Ruby Mountains in northern Nevada boast nearly 762cm of some of the driest, fluffiest snow in the U.S.. Set your destination for Nevada’s Rubies Route, a road trip that includes lakes, glaciers, canyons and the Ruby Mountains Heli Experience, the oldest family-owned heli-ski operator in the United States. Specializing in taking powder-hungry backcountry skiers up for fresh tracks is the secret sauce!
