As the leaves change colors
and nights grew cold, some of us just turn up the heat, reach for a sweatshirt, and
prepare for another chilly, rainy winter in Sacramento. But there are others who rejoice when the
thermostat drops, eyeing the gray skies with eager anticipation for the start
of snow in the nearby Sierras. Yes, skiers
and snow boarders, I’m talking to you, the people who love to bundle up and
surf a white mountain in their spare time.
As we all know, when it comes to playing in a winter wonderland there
are few places as great as Sacramento because of our easy access to ski
mountains in Lake Tahoe and Nevada. So
whether you buy a season pass and shred the mountain every week, or just want
to take the family for a nice day trip, your snowy playground is not far away.
Here are 7 of our favorite
ski resorts that are close enough to Sacramento for a day trip.
Sierra At Tahoe
1111 Sierra-At-Tahoe
Road
Twin Bridges, CA 95735
(530) 659-7453
www.sierratahoe.com
Sierra is the closest resort
to Sacramento , but just as nice as others further up the road. Known for its glade skiing and exciting
terrain parks, the family atmosphere and ease of accessibility make it an easy
day trip destination for NorCal skiers and boarders.
Number of Lifts - 12
Number of Runs - 46
Number of Acres - 2,000
Heavenly Mountain
Resort
4080 Lake Tahoe Boulevard
South
Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(775) 586-7000
www.skiheavenly.com
Heavenly is the favorite
playground for those who like to ski by day and socialize by night, as its base
village is located only one block from Nevada casinos. Straddling the border with California, the
lake shore resort contains 34 miles of groomed trails, bowls, parks, pipes and
its signature Gunbarrel run,dropping 1,800 feet to lodge below.
Number of Lifts - 30
Number of Runs - 95
Number of Acres - 4,800
Sugar Bowl
629 Sugar Bowl
Road
Norden, CA 95724
(530) 426-9000
www.sugarbowl.com
Sugar Bowl was purchased
and built up by the Walt Disney Company back in 1938, and is known for two
things that the snow crowd loves: Wide open bowl skiing and it’s proximity,
sitting 45 minutes closer to Sacramento along the I-80 corridor than most other
ski mountains. It’s usually less crowded than most of the area’s top resorts,
but isn’t short on fun or fantastic skiing.
Number of Lifts - 13
Number of Runs – 103
Number of Acres – 1,650
Northstar-At-Tahoe
100 Northstar
Drive
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 562-1010
www.northstartahoe.com
Northstar, sitting among
golden Lake Tahoe, is known for its dense tree-lined runs, offering natural
protection on bad weather days with lots of wind or rain. If it gets too stormy out you can simply go
down to base village where there are plenty of fire pits, an ice rink, bars,
and restaurants to choose from.
Northstar also has a multitude of condos and resort hotels to chose
from, including the high-end Ritz Carlton, with its own lift sitting mid
mountain.
Number of Lifts - 17
Number of Runs - 83
Number of Acres - 2,490
Alpine Meadows
2600 Alpine Meadows
Road
Tahoe City, CA 96145
(530) 583-4232
www.skialpine.com
Alpine Meadows may not be
a front runner with tourists, but locals and hardcore skiers and boarders love
it’s uncrowded and unpretensious slopes. The fact that that it isn’t overrun
with hotels and base lodging make it even more of a local gem. It has plenty of
challenging black diamond runs for experts, but more mellow hills for your
average family who just wants to enjoy the snow without much fanfare.
Number of Lifts - 13
Number of Runs - 100+
Number of Acres - 2,400
Squaw Valley USA
1960 Squaw Valley
Road
Olympic Valley, CA 93675
(530) 581-7225
www.squaw.com
Squaw Valley sat in
relative anonymity until it hosted the1960 Winter Olympics, and since then it’s
been a favorite for serious skiers from all over the world. Its famous tram will take you all the way up
the mountain amid some breathtaking views, and it offers plenty of lodging in
the base village. Even if you don’t ski
like an Olympian, you’ll enjoy the best that Squaw Valley has to offer.
Number of Lifts - 34
Number of Runs - 170+
Number of Acres - 4,000
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
1501
Kirkwood Meadows Dr, Kirkwood, CA 95646
(209)
258-60001
www.kirkwood.com
This
year-round resort on the southern shore of Lake Tahoe is a favorite for skiers
and boarders in the winter, and then hikers and mountain bikers in the summer.
Year after year, Kirkwood with its unique 2 mile ridgeline, has been voted one
of the top resorts for snow, terrain challenge, and variety. It also has one of the highest snowfall
counts in the Sierras, a fact that gets snow hounds in Sacramento excited to
pack up the car and make the drive!
Number of Lifts - 65
Number of Runs - 12
Number of Acres - 2,300
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