Considered by many to be Tahoe’s best skiing this mountain receives a stunning 638” of average snowfall annually. With the peak of Kirkwood rising to almost 10,000’ this snow is frequently the highest and driest in the area. Just outside of the Tahoe basin Kirkwood is a gem sitting alone. From South Lake Tahoe you can be in the Kirkwood parking lot in 45 minutes. If you don’t wish to commute while on vacation there are 10 condo style accommodation areas on the property featuring 1 - 3 bedroom + loft units totaling hundreds of residences. Many of these are in ski in-ski out locations offering the easiest snow access. Private residence houses line the long entrance road offering seasonal rentals.
Beginning skiers and boarders and those wishing lessons will love the Timber Creek Day Lodge on the East end. This full service lodge provides rentals, lessons, dining and access to 5 gently sloping beginner runs. Once you get your snow legs you can graduate and move a little to the West to the Blue Square runs covering 50% of the mountain. Take a few fun runs for some half-pipe or grind action in one of three terrain parks. If graduation day was a while ago and you want something more challenging move over to the 35% of the mountain considered advanced and expert. Go West, Young Man and find yourself standing in the lift line at Wagon Wheel, lift #10. After you slide past the black sign featuring a prominent skull and crossbones warning of expert territory ahead you will find yourself on one of the longest lifts in California. It just keeps going, and going, all the way up to The Wall.
The Wall is Kirkwood’s signature bowl featuring all you could want from one vista filled height. Take a minute to look East and West at the expanse of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Then take a deep breath and plunge in. The Wall is a monstrous bowl with double black inclines, cornice drops, rock and tree bordered chutes, knobs, well spaced trees and long, luxurious runs. At the end of it all, slide all the way back down to the Red Cliffs Lodge and buy a black, skull and crossbones T shirt emblazoned with “Experts Only”. These shirts have been seen worldwide.
Kirkwood is exceptionally suited to family vacations and is wonderfully accommodating for those with younger children. The ski area is a ridge, not a mountain. All the runs point straight down toward the lodging and the main road. It is very difficult to lose someone from your party. Essentially, all roads lead home. With many accommodations supporting ski in-ski out, if someone in your group should decide that they are finished skiing early in the day it is a simple matter to deposit them in the nearby unit and return to the snow. If your family is filled with boarders they will find Kirkwood perfectly suitable, there are few traverses. Most of the terrain is unload and go.
At the end of the day you can retire to your condo to prepare your favorite dishes or visit one of the 4 dining areas on site. I would recommend the “Off The Wall” bar and grill for the view, the fireplace and the fine dining. For a little adventure take the 15 minute drive to the Kirkwood Inn. Zachary Kirkwood built this lodge in 1864 as a waypoint along the road. It retains the authentic character of the original design while providing western dining and a full service bar.
Kirkwood is a “destination resort” location offering top notch snow sports, full
accommodations and a variety of dining experiences. |
