This has been a big year. A big one to celebrate, to recover, rebuild. A comeback year. For Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort (SierraatTahoe.com), a new chapter begins in its 75-year history as this is the first season since the devastating Caldor Fire in 2021 that the slopes have opened, making the record snowfall even sweeter.
Multiple early season storms and seasonally cold temperatures have contributed to an impressive amount of powder covering the landscape – helping to renew some of the hundreds of acres that burned as multiple fires raged across California two summers ago. But the fires couldn’t destroy the long and varied list of elements that continues to make Sierra-at-Tahoe one of the best mountains in the region for enthusiasts of all skill levels: from beginner to expert.
For our family (which includes an expert skier, an intermediate snowboarder, a novice skier and an absolute beginner), the mountain appeals to every skill level. Having skied here years ago, I remembered long, wide open intermediate runs that were (relatively) easy for me to navigate as a first-timer. This trip, the scenery may have changed with few trees in the skyline, but many of the areas that were once inaccessible due to tree density have now opened up, creating a true bowl experience. Not only are there uncovered lines, but entirely new pockets of terrain that have never been touched before – the overall experience of which many locals contend “actually ski better than it did before.”
For our part, the wide-open terrain and even wider runs were awesome to experience. While we stayed on the groomed trails, there are a number of trails that remain ungroomed, allowing skiers and riders the opportunity to explore untouched terrain throughout the West Bowl (everyone is encouraged to exercise caution while learning the new landscape as unmarked obstacles do exist, particularly off-piste).
My husband and son thoroughly enjoyed their time together on the mountain, tackling the more difficult runs while my 14-year-old daughter (a first-time skier) and I spent a couple of hours taking lessons to learn the tips and tricks to what we found to be the most wonderful of winter adventures.
If you’re not in the mood for skiing but still want to hit the slopes, look no further than Blizzard Mountain. The two-lift accessible lanes feature gigantic doughnut tubes, an easy take-off, and a gentle run-out that makes each run as comfortable as it is thrilling.
Just here to admire the view and eat some great food? Look no further than The Sierra Pub, Aspen Cafe, Baja Grill, or take in lake views at the 360 Smokehouse BBQ. Whether you’re on the hunt for easy green circle entertainment or double black diamond adventure, Sierra is ready for the season.
Sierra-at-Tahoe By the Numbers
It’s All About the Mountain
- 2,000 Acres
- 2,212’ Vertical Rise
- 8,852’ Top Elevation
- 6,640’ Bottom Elevation
- 47 Trails
- 25% Easier
- 50% More Difficult
- 25% Most Difficult
- Longest Run: Sugar n’ Spice – 2.5 miles from the top of the mountain
- 5 Gates access Huckleberry Canyon backcountry
Lifts
14 Lifts
- 3 Express Quad Chair Lifts
- 5 Double Chair Lifts
- 1 Triple Chair Lift
- 5 Surface Lifts
Terrain Parks
- 6 Terrain Parks – Small, Medium, and Large
- Burton Progression Park
- Smokey Boarder X
- TransWorld SNOWboarding Top 10-rated Halfpipe
Family Adventures
- 4 Adventure Zones – just for kids
- Blizzard Mountain with 2 lift accessed tubing hills and a snowplay area
- Snowshoe trails – 3 miles
