Available Spots in our South Lake Tahoe Village Ski Out Condo Ski Lease for 2024/25 Winter
Picture this: you’re between 2 chairlifts: walking distance from one (Stagecoach) and directly above the other (Boulder) at the top of the hill on Tramway Drive in Tahoe Village (Stateline/Kingsbury, NV). If you are at least an intermediate level skier/boarder, you can ski out right to the lift (Boulder chair). Or walk to either one. Or if you don’t feel like walking either, Heavenly and all other shuttles stop right in our parking lot and drop you off in front of either of the 2 chairlifts, so you don’t have to deal with parking. At the end of the day those same free Heavenly shuttles will bring you right back to our doorsteps!
Upper level:
Bedroom 1: 2 Full beds. Closet, views of Carson Valley
Bedroom 2: Twin-over-twin Bunk bed + Full Bed. Closet, views of Carson Valley
Full Bath
Living room: HDTV, Blu-Ray/DVD, etc, Hide-A-Bed Queen Size sofa, fireplace, dining area w/ table for 6
Kitchen with fridge, stove/oven, dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, etc.
BBQ deck
1 extra tri-fold futon on upper level
Lower Level:
California King Size Bed, Memory Foam Queen Size Bed, extra queen size mattress (non-memory foam). HDTV, Blu-Ray/DVD, etc. one more fireplace, one more deck, full bath,
Extra Air beds & mattresses on lower level for
Key Features:
– Tahoe Village Pool and Spa complimentary access (gated)
– Condo has beds for 14, and space for a few extra beds
– Secure Wi-Fi
– Short walk to ‘Fox & Hound’ for a late night drink or an early breakfast (a casino-style restaurant & bar), mini market & ski rentals
– Separate laundry with washer & dryer
Scenic views of trees, mountains, Carson valley and the lake. Snow, giant boulders and trees all around.
Equally close to downtown South Lake Tahoe with shopping, dining, ice-skating, sightseeing, etc. and to Carson Valley (Minden, Gardnerville, etc.) – that’s where locals stock up on food, supplies and gas.
You can also take a shuttle down the mountain and back! Off-street parking in a large parking lot is available.
What’s included in the lease:
Wireless Internet, Garbage, Water, Snow Removal, Cable TV, complimentary access to Tahoe Village Pool and Spa
Please, note: our lease is non-smoking with no exceptions.
Price:
$1599 (+$160 deposit) per person for the entire 4+ -month ski season (Jan-Apr/May); all holidays are included
Lowered occupancy since Covid: limit is 10 members
to inquire. Please share your LinkedIn profile if you have one, what makes you think this ski lease share is a good fit for you and how many days per week do you plan on staying at the ski lease.
We have an amazing and spacious 3 bedroom and 3 bathroom Chalet near Kirkwood and are looking for some members to join. It has a hot tub and we accept dogs.
Friday, January 3, 2025 – April 27, 2025 (4 months, 16 weeks)
-$1,595.00 per person (not per group) for 4 full months. That’s only $100 a week for the whole season.
-Will give a deal to couples that share a bed
-Dogs welcome. Must disclose the age, size, and breed.
-Only a short drive from the house to the mountain
-Full time: 7 days a week (weekdays and weekends open)
-3 bedroom (Bedroom 1 – king; bedroom 2 – two twin XL; bedroom 3 – two sets of adult bunk beds, 4 beds)
-3 bathrooms
-Private hot tub jacuzzi
-Video game and cinema room
-Outdoor gas fire pit
-Fiber-optic “lighting fast” Wi-Fi. You can work remote from the Chalet.
-2 car garage
-Plenty of parking
-Lots of storage
-Utilities, cleaning fees, snow removal to be discussed as a group (roughly around $60 per person a month)
-No full time residence, you must have a primary residence elsewhere.
-Guests are welcome (extra fee to help pay for cleanings). Each guest can only stay for a certain number of days otherwise they will have to become a full member.
Planning a getaway to Lake Tahoe to enjoy snow-sports?
Page last updated: Feb 28, 2022 at 10:00 AM PST
Scroll down the page to read our ‘Best of Tahoe List’and tips from veteran skiers and boarders who frequents Lake Tahoe resorts for snow sports recreation 😉
– pitstops en route to/from Lake Tahoe; best pricing gas stations to fill-up gas
– North Tahoe & South Tahoe apres-ski spots/venues + happy hour deals
– pet-friendly hotels
– pet-sitting
– winter driving tips: best snow tires, AWD, 4WD, Dual Motor EV
– wind protected Tahoe resorts on high wind gusts days(which causes ski lift closures especially ones to the mountain’s summit), etc.
Please by email [ contactus @ snowpals.org ] within 7 days to claim your prize:
(1) Grand prize Tahoe ski bus day trip winner David’s GoPro POWDER DAY video (imdave___ @ gmail.com) Grand Prize giveaway sponsored by Tahoe Ski Trips (expires 12/31/2023; view the bus trip schedule). David made it to Tahoe after December 2021 back to back snow storms that dropped over 200+ inches of fresh snow; he skis untracked virgin powder freshies on Dec 30, 2021 with a smile that says it all: joie de vie!
“Kirkwood parking attendances will direct you to a lower parking lot near Timber Creek when the upper lot gets full. These lower lots have no EV charging available. If you let them know you need to go to the Mountain Club, they will let you go to the upper lots, where there are EV charging stations for free. 🙂 ”
(3) Congrats to Diana E (D_EDWARDS @ GMAIL.COM) won an unrestricted lift ticket to Bear Valley Resort (expires end of winter 2021-22 season). Her Tahoe pitstop tip:
“When headed to north Lake Tahoe from the Bay we like to stop and use the restrooms at Ikeda’s in Auburn. The restrooms open up at about 7am and are cleaned first thing even though the store and restaurant are not opened yet. Fresh clean restrooms for the win!
Also a fantastic, albeit crowded stop on the way home for delish pies, fresh local produce, and delicious burgers. https://www.ikedas.com
(4) Congrats to Achal (achalas___ @ gmail.com) won a $20 credit that can be applied to any upcoming SnowPals social events(in the works: wine tastings on the patio). Tahoe tip:
When a storm system comes in and you are considering driving up, always check/bookmark for easy access on road conditions using Caltrans’ QuickMap app iOS or andriod or their website – http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ – includes reliable information and camera along the highway leading into Tahoe!
(2) Owners of all wheel drive vehicles, this tip is for those looking to buy an AWD or 4WD vehicle for Tahoe trips/driving on snow/icy roads, what make & model do you recommend? why?
I think it’s less about the model and more about getting snow tires. They make all the difference.
(3) For winter snow & icy roads, which tire brand do you use and recommend for best traction control and why?
I like and use Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires. They’ve served me well, from Tahoe to Montana, Colorado, Utah, and all over icy/snowy conditions in the west.
(4) For Apres ski & ride, what places do you like to hang out to enjoy drinks / snacks? happy hour?
Tahoe Aleworx in South Lake Tahoe is the best. You can’t beat RFID wristbands to pour your own beer 🙂
They have 2 locations in South Lake Tahoe (Stateline near Heavenly Village and at the “Y”).
I’ve seen countless people driving to and from Tahoe in cars that have no business being in the mountains in snow and icy conditions. Have or use 4WD/AWD *and* snow tires!
(6) Which resort do you recommend for first time beginners and advance level/expert skiers and snowboarders?
– True beginners/first timers: Tahoe Donner
– Beginners: Sierra at Tahoe, Northstar
– Advanced: Heavenly, Kirkwood, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows
(8) What’s your favorite Tahoe area for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing?
(9) On high wind days, which resort is your go to that is mostly protected from high wind/gusts? FYI, on high wind days, many resorts put ski lifts on wind hold; to avoid, good to know which resort is unlikely to be affected?
– Homewood
– Northstar
– Sierra at Tahoe
(10) For those who are new to skiing and snowboarding, what are your tips for gear? Buy new or used? Learn from friends/family or from ski resorts experts?
If planning to develop and progress, buy new. If just going for a few times then buy used or rent.
(11) What’s your favorite place for Tahoe area petsitting?
(12) Which Tahoe area resort have the best lake view run?
Heavenly-Ridge Run
(14) What’s your favorite Tahoe area hotel? Fave hotels that are dog & pet-friendly?
– Edgewood is the best, and priced accordingly.
– Best pet friendly: Basecamp (South Lake Tahoe & Tahoe City) or a vacation rental (such as those found on dogtrekker.com
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Marc D tips:
(1) What is your favorite place for a pitstop whenever you drive to and from Tahoe & why?
If driving to South Lake Tahoe, one good pitstop for the cheapest gas and coffee is the new Fuel Express Station between Folsom and Placerville. Stay along highway US-50 and take exit 39 for Shingle Springs Dr.
Coming back from SLT along the US-50 after a good skiing day, best is to escape SLT before traffic builds, drive all the way to Placerville where you can enjoy the best BBQ in town at the Hog Wild Bar-B-Que (good food and reasonable price). If you are not a meat fan, then not far away still in Placerville is Let’s Poke restaurant. Quick and delicious.
(2) Owners of all wheel drive vehicles, this tip is for those looking to buy an AWD or 4WD vehicle for Tahoe trips/driving on snow/icy roads, what make & model do you recommend? why?
Some newer cars like the RAV4 AWD, it is not AWD all the time but when required. This is good if you are driving on fresh snow on a flat road but I don’t like it when going downhill or uphill. So check your car before driving to ensure it is full time AWD or if it is a 4WD then put it to 4H and drive carefully.
(3) For winter snow & icy roads, which tire brand do you use and recommend for best traction control and why?
The best is to have studded snow tires but we all know most of the people live in the Bay Area and can’t have these snow tires in the city. So another safe option is to have All Season Tires. These tires can be identified with a Mountain / snowflake Symbol on the side of the tire or an M+S label.
(4) For Apres ski & ride, what places do you like to hang out to enjoy drinks / snacks? happy hour?
Again this is for Skiing Heavenly and staying in SLT.
If skiing from the Gondola, then you have multiple choices for drinks and food for Après-Ski. Azul Kitchen and California Burger in Heavenly Village have good happy hour deals (4 to 6pm) and good food too.
If you are parked at the California lodge (top of Ski run Blvd) then don’t worry no need to drive after your long epic day. Himmel Haus is a great German restaurant across the street from the parking lot and have great drinks and food.
(5) Winter snow and ice driving and safety tips?
Driving on snow is tricky and the best is to avoid sudden braking or turning. Try to use engine braking when going downhill versus braking all the time. Don’t use your phone and get distracted, again sudden reactions when driving on snow can lead you to an accident.
Accelerating, stopping and turning take longer and are less predictable when driving on snow.
Slow driving is the key to maintaining control.
(6) Which resort do you recommend for first time beginners and advance level/expert skiers and snowboarders?
– for first timers, Heavenly has good easy runs (maybe easier on California side), but another great and easy resort (my favorite) is Northstar. Very convenient for families.
– for advance skiers and snowboarders, then Squaw Valley and Kirkwood are the best places around Tahoe to enjoy double diamond runs and push your skiing limits.
(7) For Lake Tahoe backcountry skiing/snowboarding, what are 2-3 of your favorite backcountry areas?
The north side of the lake (around Mt Rose) has great backcountry areas.
Also the road to Kirkwood along the 88 has multiple spots for backcountry (Waterhouse peak being the easiest).
Best is to check the App Snow Project for locations and levels.
(9) On high wind days, which resort is your go to that is mostly protected from high wind/gusts? FYI, on high wind days, many resorts put ski lifts on wind hold; to avoid, good to know which resort is unlikely to be affected?
Both Heavenly and Kirkwood get very windy during stormy days. Heavenly is probably the one that shuts down first.
Squaw as well is known to receive strong winds.
Northstar on the contrary is well protected from winds, being in the back side of Lake Tahoe so that would be my best option in a bad stormy day.
(12) Which Tahoe area resort have the best lake view run?
For best views over Lake Tahoe I recommend Heavenly and Mt Rose.
(13) What’s your favorite Tahoe area restaurant / eatery?
Adam J tips: is our 2nd prize winner; he innovates with his Subaru DIY POWder chaser makeshift sleeping pad so he can be slope-side for first tracks – see pic below (passionate pow seeker sans ski cabin)
(1) What is your favorite DIY money-saving strategy for Tahoe trips?
My greatest realization was that with a little bit of effort, I can make the back of my Subaru a very comfortable (and cheap) place to sleep for the night. So now, I drive up to the Truckee rest stop the night before, crash out in back since I’m usually tired from driving, and then pop up bright and early in the morning and I’m parked in the front row of free parking at Squaw within 20 minutes. Then I can take my time getting ready cuz I’ve already got a great parking spot! I love it.
(2) Owners of all wheel drive vehicles, this tip is for those looking to buy an AWD or 4WD vehicle for Tahoe trips/driving on snow/icy roads, what make & model do you recommend? why?
Subaru. Period. Also, luggage racks make your car top-heavy and reduce fuel efficiency people.
(3) For winter snow & icy roads, which tire brand do you use and recommend for best traction control and why?
Anything at Costco, mostly because they will do rotations for free. More importantly, have a good set of CHAINS. Also, make sure to test the chains before you need them! Amazon sometimes sends you chains for a different tire size by mistake.
(4) For Apres ski & ride, what places do you like to hang out to enjoy drinks / snacks? happy hour?
My backpack. The resort takes enough of my money. My wife’s sammiches are the bomb! Also, remember those lil flasks you see people use on tv? They work well for apres ski, too!
(5) Winter snow and ice driving and safety tips?
Checklist: Chains (that fit), good tires (lots o tread left), and good wipers (Rain-x, baby!). Don’t crowd the plow!
(10) For those who are new to skiing and snowboarding, what are your tips for gear? Buy new or used? Learn from friends/family or from ski resorts experts?
Thicker socks don’t help! If your feet are cold, they probably aren’t getting sufficient circulation (took me years to figure this out). Try loosening your boots.
🏂⛷❄️❄️❄️
Check out our Tahoe money saving tips such as where to go for lift ticket deals, free birthday lift ticket, learn to ski, snowboard package deals, apres ski happy hour venues, etc at
* Rideshare to your favorite Tahoe resort and for those who are holders of Epic Pass, Ikon Pass, Mountain Collective Pass, or other multi-resort season pass, connect for POWDER trips to Utah, Colorado, Whistler, Europe, Japan, South America and other worldwide snow destinations.
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How to enter our giveaway
Share a Tahoe tip that’s not already listed below to get entered into SnowPals’ giveaway of one night’s lodging stay in South Lake Tahoe by Heavenly Mountain Resort or win our grand prize of a Ski Bus Trip..
Second prize: Mellow Mountain Hostel (weekday night’s stay). ‘Surrounded by pine trees, this laid-back hostel is 11 minutes by foot from Lakeside Beach along Lake Tahoe. It’s a 3-minute walk from the Heavenly Ski Resort and a 5-minute walk from the
Stateline Transit Center.’ View Map/driving directions.
Third Prize: Free entry to any SnowPals Events (a $20 value to cover event fee; expires 12/31/2025)
Giveaway entry submission deadline: 11 PM PST on Sunday February 20, 2022. Winners will be announced on Monday Feb 28.
Lake Tahoe property owners, are you looking into turning your home or vacation rental property into a seasonal winter ski lease? Consider the following tips when drafting your lease agreement ..
How to Draft Effective Ski Lease/Rental Property Rental Agreements
The following article was written by David B. Cronheim, an attorney at Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus, PA
It’s that time of year again. Winter is just around the corner and skiers and snowboarders are beginning to book their winter getaways. Most homeowners and real estate agents are focused on getting their properties ready for the busy ski season ahead. Understandably, the rental agreement they use to rent those properties is often one of the last things they consider. After all, many have a form agreement – often the same one they have used for years – and use it for every rental. The importance of a good lease is often overlooked.
Why should a homeowner or real estate agent care about having a well-drafted lease, particularly when the chances of litigation are remote? Simple. A good lease affords powerful protections. Basic issues like nightly rates, cleaning fees, and damage deposits are only a small part of any good rental agreement. A lease sets expectations in advance, can prevent problems before they arise and puts the law more clearly on the owner’s side in the event of a dispute. Even if you don’t plan on suing any of your guests, by setting expectations before arrival you may be able to deter destructive conduct. Unruly groups inclined to break the rules may look elsewhere if they understand the potential financial consequences.
It’s also good general practice to communicate clearly with potential guests. Commit conversations to writing via e-mail, but choose your words carefully. You’re not trying to sneak something past a potential guest, but rather trying to set expectations.
DRAFTING TIPS
A carefully drafted lease is key to successfully renting out a ski house.
Before discussing how to draft a better lease, it is important to note that a lease is not technically a contract. It is similar to a contract and generally interpreted under contract law principles, but because it is also a conveyance of real property (albeit a temporary one), a lease has some important areas of distinction from a normal contract. The most important distinction is that a rental guest is not merely a party to a contract, but a tenant afforded certain rights under state landlord-tenant laws.
It is worth noting that an effective agreement doesn’t need to be long. In fact some of the best agreements are simple, but on-point. However, there are certain elements which all rental agreements should include. These components may seem obvious, but their nuances are often overlooked. Below are some tips for drafting a better lease for your vacation rental.
Term
Every lease agreement should specify a rental period. Be specific. Instead of using just a date, use a date and time. State check-in and check-out times clearly. This is particularly important because houses are often rented by two groups back to back. List a morning time for check-out and an afternoon time for check-in. Well-drafted leases often also include an hourly fee for late check-outs. You don’t have to assess the fee, but when guests know it’s hanging over their heads, they’re more likely to leave on time.
Rate
Clearly state the rental rate. Even if the rate is calculated nightly, include a sum total. Be sure to note whether the rate includes things like taxes, cleaning fees, or surcharges. Have the guest initial next a grand total. Being clear upfront isn’t only important from a legal standpoint, it’s good business. Guests will feel blindsided by hidden fees, often leaving a bad taste and lessening the chances the guest becomes a repeat customer.
Security Deposit vs. Insurance
Many sophisticated property owners or real estate agents will give guests a choice between a security deposit and rental insurance. Providing this option can make your property more attractive because many guests are wary of putting down a large damage deposit. Some guests may have experienced unscrupulous owners who wrongfully retained all or some of their deposit. Still others may view the deposit as part of the overall cost of the rental, even though it will be returned. Either way, be sure to protect yourself by requiring one or the other.
If you decide to go with a security deposit, be explicit that the guest is liable for any damage to the property regardless of whether it exceeds the security deposit. Withholding a security deposit is merely your first recourse. Should a guest do serious damage to the property, you want to reserve the right to sue (or threaten to sue) them to recover for your loss.
Tailor the Agreement to Your Property
A one-size fits all, “fill in the blanks” lease from the internet is not the best way to maximize your protections. Make sure that your agreement is tailored to your property. Every property is unique and has unique challenges. Consider issues you may have had in the past and try to anticipate future problems. For example, are guests damaging your wooden floors by clomping around in ski boots? Include a clause prohibiting ski boots in the house.
Do you have a specific list of “House Rules” that you post somewhere on the property or give to guests before or upon arrival? Incorporate these rules by reference into your lease and attach them as an exhibit. Require guests to agree to abide by the rules. Incorporating your house rules transforms polite suggestions into legal duties.
Keep it Simple – No Overly Long or Complex Agreements!
An agreement that is too long, complicated or written in “legal-ese” can scare off potential guests. Mean what you say and say what you mean, but say it as simply and clearly as possible. If you find yourself using phrases like “party of the second part” and “inter alia,” start over.
It’s important to keep in mind that a good lease does not have to be long. Each of the specific issues discussed in this article can be accomplished in a well-written sentence or two apiece. Keep it simple so guests understand what they are signing. They are less likely to object to you enforcing your rights under the lease if they understood your rights and their duties when they entered into the agreement.
Specific Provisions to Consider Including
Liquidated Damages Clause
Liquidated damages clauses can be a powerful tool. State with specificity that if guests do something they shouldn’t, a certain fee will apply. The fee should be reasonable and roughly approximate damage. For example, include a provision that failure to replace the cover on a hot tub or to take out the trash will result in certain deductions from the security deposit.
It is important to remember that these provisions cannot be penalties. The law disfavors penalty clauses. Courts generally will not enforce them, so be sure to tie the liquidated damages provision to a reasonable estimate of the damage. A fee of $2,000 for failing to take out the trash won’t be enforceable, but $50 probably would be.
No Refund for Bad Weather
You’ll likely want to include a provision disclaiming responsibility for unfavorable weather. If it rains or there’s no snow, you want to make sure the lease is still in effect. No one can control the weather, but you can control who takes the risk of bad weather (hint: not you!).
Right of Entry of Homeowner at Reasonable Time
If you’re concerned about unruly guests and want to be able to check on your house during the guests’ stay, consider a clause permitting you to enter for a reasonable purpose. Include what those reasonable purposes may be.
Rental Only to Family Groups
If you don’t want to rent to groups of college kids throwing a keg party, don’t. Insert a provision which states you only rent to family groups. Then make the lease signer represent that the group is a family group. You can always remove this clause if the circumstances warrant.
Occupancy Caps
In conjunction with restricting your rental to family groups, a maximum occupancy can deter the type of destructive guests you don’t want. Include a per guest fee for overcapacity, should you discover it. Deduct that fee from the deposit if you discover guests exceeding the maximum occupancy.
Representations and Warranties
Be careful not to promise something you don’t have. If that hot tub hasn’t worked in years, don’t list it as an amenity on your promotional materials.
Immediate Termination of Lease and Repossession by Homeowner in Event of Breach
A recurring problem facing homeowners is what to do when they discover unruly conduct at their property while the guests are still there. Consider a provision that allows you to immediately regain possession of the property for a material breach of the lease. It’s important to note, however, that you’d technically still need to go to court to evict the guests because they’re tenants, but you can always tell the unruly guests to vacate before you’re forced to get the sheriff to serve an eviction notice.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The most important thing a strong lease can do for a property owner is save them money. Having a professionally drafted lease is a small upfront cost that pays off over the long term. A good lease can put arguments to rest before they turn nasty by setting expectations in advance. A clear, concise agreement which protects your interests is a valuable tool for any homeowner. After all, if a dispute does occur, you have your answer. It’s all right there in black and white.
Author David B. Cronheim, Esq. is the Chief Legal Correspondent for First Tracks! Online and is an attorney at Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus, PA in Bridgewater, N.J. For more information or for assistance in drafting or updating a vacation rental agreement, please feel free to contact the author at . Source: http://www.firsttracksonline.com
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Looking to join a Tahoe area ski lease to max out your ski season pass, expand your circle of ski buddies, get a place to store your ski gear and people to ride-share to your fave resorts? Browse ski lease sharing opportunities at
As ski resorts open, the most commonly asked question on the minds of many skiers’ and snowboarders’ is:
What will the 2020-21 Tahoe ski season will be like during coronavirus with resorts implementing COVID-19 safety measures?
Tahoe area ski resorts indicated that cleaning and sanitation will increase in frequency and rigor and that physical distancing and masks will be required in indoor areas, base areas, lift mazes, on chairlifts and on shuttle buses.
Only related groups can ride together on chairlifts; there will be occupancy limits at indoor spaces and on shuttle buses, and Ski & Ride School will operate with reduced capacities.
Most resorts will have a reservation system to limit resort and slope-side capacity. Resort visitors will be required to make a reservation before arriving at the mountain. Resorts will limit the number of people allowed on site daily. Many will require you to buy your lift pass and book your time on the slopes at least a day in advance; you can no longer just show up on a powder day and buy lift tickets the day of.
Those with season pass will still need to reserve slope-side days. Resorts will likely sell-out for several days in advance especially on powder days. How does Epic Pass resort reservation system works?
Also as many transactions as possible will be conducted online prior to arrival to reduce interactions.
If you’d like to book your resort visit for fresh POWder days & holiday weekends, the best strategy is to..
Megan Michelson, a reporter with the San Francisco Chronicle, details what Tahoe ski season could look like during coronavirus/COVID-19:
“Winter sports can still happen in the COVID era. Skiing and snowboarding are relatively well suited to a viral outbreak. They take place outside, generally away from others, and skiers are used to wearing face coverings and gloves. But life at ski resorts — assuming they’ll be able to open safely this winter — will not look the same. Many resorts were able to open for limited summer operations, like biking and hiking, and Southern Hemisphere ski resorts in places like Chile and New Zealand opened with strict COVID guidelines. With guidance from public health experts, California ski resorts are now working on reopening plans and how to best protect guests, employees and ski-town communities.
“Things will be different this winter, but we are a highly adaptable industry, having faced droughts, excessive snowfall and road closures,” says Katie Hunter, director of sales and marketing at Sierra-at-Tahoe. “We believe that winter outdoor recreation, when practiced safely, will be a source of healing for people.”
Goggle tans no more
Masks will be required at most ski resorts in congested areas. Vail Resorts — which operates Tahoe’s Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood — is requiring face coverings in designated zones, like inside the lodge, in lift lines and in ski school corrals. “Just as other tourist destinations have required, we must ensure that face coverings are not optional if you are walking around with a drink or snack in your hand,” Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz wrote in an open letter to guests.
Proper masks are preferable to the standard skiers’ Buff. “Synthetic fibers like those in a Buff are technically not as good as a cotton mask, which has more three-dimensional structure to block the potentially virus-laden droplets more efficiently,” says Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and an infectious disease specialist at UCSF. “But in community mask wearing, fit and convenience trump quality of the mask. For skiers, it’s perfectly fine to use the neck gaiter if it means you will wear it when you need to.”
Give a ski’s length in line
Physical distancing guidelines will also be in place. You’ll find signage and marked spots on the ground to remind you to give at least 6 feet of space while you wait for food, rentals, lifts and other services. You’ll load chairlifts and gondolas only with those in your existing group. (Singles will likely need to ride solo or with empty spaces in between.) Lift lines will inevitably move slower and stretch farther in length.
In the lodge, you’ll find signage that could indicate one-way traffic or specific doors for entering and exiting to eliminate congestion. Yes, everything will take a little longer, but that’s OK. Take a deep breath and be thankful you’re out there.
What day is it anyway?
While everyone used to live by traditional Monday-through-Friday work and school schedules, with schools and jobs going remote, expect to see more crowds midweek and less of a hustle on weekends. With many city dwellers relocating to the mountains with remote jobs, the typical Friday-night traffic flow to Tahoe may be reduced. Best news? If you’ve already relocated to the mountains, your kid can now ski for PE on a Monday and you can squeeze in a midday powder session between Zoom meetings.
Plan your ski days ahead of time
Ticket sales may be capped to limit the number of skiers on the hill each day. Homewood, for example, plans to limit season-pass sales and cap daily lift tickets during peak periods. So this is not the season to spontaneously go skiing. Plan well ahead and purchase lift tickets online and in advance.
“When there are capacity restrictions, you can expect advance registration systems,” says Adrienne Saia Isaac, spokesperson for the National Ski Areas Association. “Ski areas will be responsible for creating clear, up-to-date messaging across their channels, and skiers and riders will need to check the ski area’s website before they hit the slopes to learn about whatever local regulations may be in place.”
Lunch will be served on the tailgate
Ski-town and on-mountain restaurants are pivoting to offer more takeout and outdoor dining options. Think grab-and-go windows, food trucks and patio seating. You’ll still be able to enter lodges and order food, but you’ll find more heat lamps and outdoor firepits to encourage you to dine alfresco. You’ll also see a lot more people packing their own lunch and eating at their car or slopeside condo. In towns like Truckee or South Lake Tahoe, gone are the days of weekend crowds surging popular bars and restaurants. You’ll order food and drinks to go and bring it back to your cabin.
“For skiers, many settings are low risk — particularly those in the open air and while enjoying the slopes,” says Chin-Hong. “One area that is especially at risk is the après-ski setting at the lodge where people may be eating, drinking. I would avoid that area if possible and take your hot chocolate outside or back to your room.”
Goodbye, carpooling
Carpooling to the mountains with people not in your household is a thing of the past, so you may see an uptick in cars heading from the Bay Area to Tahoe. When in the mountains, you can still ride public transportation like buses or on-demand rides to the ski hill, but plan on wearing a mask, sitting far from others and keeping the windows open. Most likely, you’ll be driving your own car or staying close enough to the mountain that you can walk to the lifts. Before you go, check resorts’ apps or websites for up-to-date parking and transportation tips.
Lifties gone robotic
Resorts are moving many services to digital to reduce face-to-face contact. Take Sugar Bowl. The resort has invested in radio-frequency identification scanning gates at all primary chairlifts for this winter, as well as new self-service stations for other services to promote contactless transactions. It’s official: Gone are the days of human ticket checkers scanning your pass in line. This winter, you’ll purchase or reload your lift ticket, sign up for ski lessons and talk to guest services online or via the resort’s app.
You can always cancel
New cancellation policies and beefed-up refund guarantees are now in place to give you peace of mind in case the ski season gets shut down due to COVID or you need to cancel plans for any reason. Vail Resorts introduced Epic Coverage, which comes free with every Epic Pass this season, to provide refunds for certain resort closures, as well as job loss, illness or injury. Ikon Pass — which works at Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows, Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain — now comes with Adventure Assurance to let you defer use of your pass for any reason to next year.
Sierra-at-Tahoe has a Play it Forward Guarantee that lets you credit this year’s pass to next season due to any unforeseen circumstances, and Homewood’s new guarantee offers prorated refunds on passes if the mountain is forced to close before March 1 due to non-weather events.
Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows has tentative plans to open on Nov. 25. “Our team is doing everything we need to do to be ready to offer skiing and riding for the upcoming winter season,” says Ron Cohen, president of Squaw Valley-Alpine Meadows. “We are planning for a dynamic environment, building a full set of tools to be able to best respond to whatever comes our way, so that we can continue to offer outdoor recreation to all of our dedicated skiers and riders.” – SF Chronicle.
Looking to join a shared ski lease or are you a ski lease organizer? We’re trying to gauge sentiments, consider sharing your input with the following survey..
Like many of you, the ski/snowboard community is trying to adjust to the new normal with the COVID-19 pandemic still at the top of many of our minds. You can help us by sharing your opinion about ski lease housing options.
Please take a few minutes to help us at SnowPals understand your thoughts for the upcoming 2020/2021 Ski Lease season. Your opinion matters and will help ski Lease operators better adjust. We will publish the top level results for everyone to benefit from.
Survey questions created by Mike K., ski lease organizer.
Ski resorts opening dates and operations are contingent on state and local public health restrictions and guidelines during the pandemic; read the latest on COVID-19 pandemic emergency alert to see what businesses are opened:
“The Tahoe-Truckee region is governed by 6 counties, a city, a town, two states, and the federal government. This can create a lot of confusion even when we aren’t operating under COVID-19 restrictions. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.
Keep in mind, guidelines and laws are changing almost daily; check the latest update at
Our spotlight feature for the month of February goes to the League to Save Lake Tahoe.
You’ve seen the slogan everywhere – Keep Tahoe Blue. What’s behind the sticker?
Since 1957, the League to Save Lake Tahoe has worked to protect and restore the environmental health, sustainability and scenic beauty of the Lake Tahoe Basin. We focus on water quality and its clarity for the preservation of a pristine Lake for future generations.
We are a solutions-oriented team of Tahoe advocates who use innovation, boots-on-the-ground action and a unique, holistic approach to solve the environmental challenges threatening the Lake we love.
Together with our community of residents and visitors, we KEEP TAHOE BLUE.
Your gifts help us Keep Tahoe Blue. The League to Save Lake Tahoe is a 501c3 private nonprofit environmental advocacy organization. All donations are tax deductible.
The League’s Work: We A.C.T. to Keep Tahoe Blue
In order to protect and preserve our Jewel of the Sierra, the League focuses on three campaigns.
We Advance restoration to ensure Tahoe is resilient in the face of the climate crisis.
Since its founding in 1957, the League has been the strongest and most influential advocate for the protection of Lake Tahoe. We work with lawmakers, governments, members of the business community, visitors and residents to protect Big Blue through advocacy, engagement, collaboration and direct action.
The organization formed in response to plans for massive development to encircle the Lake, capped off with a bridge across Emerald Bay. Defeating that proposal for a “city with a hole in the middle” set the tone for all the League’s pioneering work for the next six decades. More recently, in 1998, the League spearheaded the effort to launch the Environmental Improvement Program, which has leveraged over $1 billion in public and private funds to protect and restore Lake Tahoe.
What: Join to increase your ‘fun factor” by expanding your circle of ski, ride buddies for Tahoe ski trips & powder trips to other snow destinations especially covered by a multi-resort pass such as the
EPIC PASS, IKON PASS, MOUNTAIN COLLECTIVE PASS + POWDER ALLIANCE PASS.
Our Host is Emily ..
“I was born & raised Vermonter, and a current Epic Pass holder. Most weekends you can find me at Kirkwood, or Heavenly shredding the pow. Interested in carpooling on weekends, or weekdays to any Epic Resorts. Looking forward to meeting everyone!”
– Swag giveaway: $25 Sports Basement gift card Sports Basement + other swag in the works
– Watch ski/ride video from last season to get stoked for winter season powder ski/ride trips to Tahoe, Colorado, Utah, British Columbia, South America Europe and Japan.
– Share POWDER Stories from last season and enjoy complimentary drinks and light snacks 😉
– Expand your circle of friends/buddies for snow sports & backcountry ski/ride partners as well
Find yourself driving to/from Lake Tahoe with mostly empty seats?
Carpool/RideShare with skiers, boarders who love snow sports as much as you, share expenses and help preserve our environment by ride-sharing to/from Tahoe.
At 8 pm, we will have a swag drawing giveaway so get there early to partake – print your event ticket and it will be used as your drawing entry to win event swag.
7:30 PM – New ski & board gear demo
8:00 PM – Event Swag Giveaway Drawing
8:10 PM – Learn how to wax your skis / snowboard based on the type of snow slopeside
Important: PLEASE be courteous and let us know if you can’t make it after you have RSVPed; sign into EventBrite to change your RSVP so that we can get an accurate count of how many folks to expect. Behind the scene, we work tremendously hard to put together events so in return please be mindful to give us a heads up if your plans have changed and you can no longer attend. Much appreciated!
By Vicki Olds, aka Shibumi – “Snowpals Reporter At-Large”
SnowPals is making a difference; saving our planet and particularly the Lake Tahoe Basin, one ride-share at a time.
“Did you know there are 1 billion cars in the world? Unfortunately, we’re set to double this in the next 10 years. Each shared car takes 13 cars off the road (on average). You can make a difference by sharing a car.” — getaround.com
Since 1999, SnowPals members have ride-shared from the Bay Area to Lake Tahoe and back at least 5,100* times (this is a conservative estimate*). For an average 400-mile round-trip to/from Tahoe in a vehicle that gets 28 miles per gallon average highway miles will burn 14.3 gallons of gas. A gallon of gasoline burned releases 20 pounds of CO2 into the air. By carpooling, each rider, in addition to the driver, represents 14.3 gallons of gasoline saved from being burned — or 286 pounds of carbon dioxide per round trip!
“Let’s break down how CO2 is produced: a gallon of gasoline weighs about 6 pounds. Roughly 90% of that mass is carbon or about 5.5 pounds. When that carbon is burned one atom of carbon, C, combines with two molecules of oxygen, O2, to form carbon dioxide, CO2. One molecule of CO2 weighs about 3.5 times as much as an atom of carbon, so that 5.5 pounds of carbon burned results in about 20 pounds of CO2.”
High Five yourself, SnowPals’ rideshare participants. Together we have saved the planet from 1,458,600 pounds of carbon dioxide pollutants!
To calculate how much carbon pollution you contribute to the planet, annually, use the energy calculators at Infinite Power (gee, those Texans are really serious about oil): http://www.infinitepower.org/calc_carbon.htm
Plus, think about how much you have saved in gasoline expenses by offering to share your vehicle with a snow rider or two. At 5,100 SnowPal ride-shares, times 14.3 gallons, times the price of a gallon of gas … that’s no small change. In fact, that would be $218,790 in total per snow season that did not go to Big Oil if you had paid $3/gallon at the pump.
And, how many of us have made friends along the way? Or shared a meal and a drink, or two, after the slopes … That’s the non-tangible perks of ridesharing so we at SnowPals encourage you to rideshare / carpool to and from Lake Tahoe resorts as much as possible and to forward this piece to folks you know who goes to Tahoe often but mostly drive solo – advance thanks in helping us preserve our natural environment for ourselves and for generations to come.
* Median of 15 ride-shares/wk; with New Snow this shoots up to 30-35 ride-shares/week. We’re saying that at least 4x/season when there’s a surge of snow riders looking for new snow.
Help keep our planet green, save money and expand your circle of friends by joining SnowPals to ride share to Tahoe area ski resorts and snow destinations beyond (SnowPals members’ in past years joined forces and resources to organize ski and snowboard trips via carpooling/ride sharing to Colorado, Utah and even British Columbia ski resorts).
Are you a local business? Please consider partnering with us to help increase awareness of SnowPals’ rideshare / carpool to help people pool resources to drive together to and from Lake Tahoe.
SnowPals’ mission is to enable SF Bay Area residents to pool resources to ride share/carpool to Tahoe resorts to reduce impact to our environment. We kick off the ski season with annualKickoff Parties around the SF Bay Area.
We invite businesses to partner with us to help bring awareness to our ride-sharing offerings, and to encourage people who might otherwise drive solo to use our services to make new friends and to reduce their carbon footprint.
Individually we each can make slight carbon footprint reductions, and together we can make significant reductions that will help preserve our natural environment. Please consider partnering with SnowPals and we can also help local businesses with its marketing exposure.
2017 – 2018 Ski Season Tahoe learn to ski and snowboard package deals and discounts for beginners to advanced
Lake Tahoe ski resorts offer learn to ski and snowboard deals and discounts for skiers and snowboarders through out the ski season with a few Tahoe resorts offering deals good on weekends and holidays.
Gather family and friends together to take advantage of these deals and introduce them to learn an enjoyable snow sports that will last a lifetime; plan a getaway; browse and book a Tahoe vacation rental.
Skiing and snowboarding can be an expensive sport especially for beginners without any gear but that doesn’t have to be true if you take advantage of Tahoe ski resorts introductory and promo deals. Discount learn to ski and snowboard package deals include ski / snowboard lessons, beginner’s lift ticket, and equipment rentals.
The Learn to Ski and Snowboard promos offer great value deals for children and adults who are first-time skiers to get started skiing and riding down powdery Tahoe scenic slopes without breaking the bank.
For last minute lift ticket deals, browse discounts at:
Best Tahoe learn to ski and snowboard deals:
(1) Boreal’s TAKE 3, RIDE FREE
Recognized as one of the country’s best beginner programs , this pre-paid package automatically enrolls you into the Take 3, Ride FREE program and includes (3) Single Day Half Day Lesson Packages and a FREE 2017-18 Season Pass on your fourth visit! What we like about Boreal Mountain resort is the fact that it is easy to get to with quick access off of Highway 80 on Donner Summit plus an added bonus of night skiing.
(2) Homewood’s $69 adult ski and snowboard first-timer packages
Homewood Mountain Resort offers the best learn to ski/snowboard deal in the Lake Tahoe region – for just $69. Sunday through Friday, non-holiday, first-timers will receive a half-day lesson package which includes an all-day equipment rental (helmet not included in package but available at an additional cost) and beginner lift ticket – It’s everything you need to make your first turns on snow!
Simply purchase your Learn to Ski or Learn to Ride package online, at least 2 days in advance of your desired lesson date to receive the special $69 price all season long.
What we also like at Homewood is their incredible lake views; skiing and riding down Homewood slopes gives you a breathe-taking view of the lake. Very beautifully scenic for a first timer. Romantic setting no less. 😉
The advantage of learning to ski or snowboard on non-holiday weekdays is you’ll get more personal attention and with less folks at the resort, you basically have the whole mountain to yourself – less people on the slopes.
(4) Donner Ski Ranch offers perhaps the best deal all-around; even on weekends and holidays, the price is the same: adults, youths, and seniors can sign up for the learn to ski or snowboard deal package for $99 while child (ages 7-12) package is $79. Why pay the high price of big mountain resorts when you only need a bunny hill to learn on?
Designed for first-time skiers and beginners, our Learn to Turn package includes a restricted lift ticket, granting access to beginner terrain on the front of the mountain via the skiing moving carpet and chairlifts #4 and #6, ski or snowboard equipment rental package, and a 1.5 hour group lesson.
LESSON TIMES
9 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm
Lift tickets and rentals valid for full-day skiing and riding.
Anyone who purchases a Learn to Turn package may use the moving carpet to practice on one’s own prior to his/her lesson. Visit the ticket window to secure your space. Lessons will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
Looking to buy gear, skis, snowboard or snow sports clothing? REI is having their REI’s Winter Clearance Sale.
Save up to 50% on Cold Weather Clothing and Footwear. Plus Save 50% off or more at REI Garage! Shop early for the best selection. Free U.S. Standard Shipping on all Skis and Snowboards. Earn a $100 REI Gift Card when you apply for an REI Mastercard. Browse clearance sale items.
Where you’d like to be for 2017 New Year’s Eve (NYE) celebrations?
Here’s an idea: partake in a fun-filled day of skiing and riding then follow that up as the sun sets with Live Music, Parties and count-down to 2018 enjoying Heavenly Resort’s spectacular New Year’s Eve Fireworks.
Mark your calendar and invite family and friends to join:
New Year’s Eve Celebration happens at Heavenly Village on Sunday, December 31, 2017, from 6:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m.
Address
1001 Heavenly Village Way
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 | Directions
“Heavenly Holidays reach their zenith on New Year’s Eve when fire, lights, and music fill the air. 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Live concert, Ice Carving Performance, fire dancers, a photo booth, face painting and at 9:00 p.m., in time for the midnight Ball Drop in New York City’s Time Square, Heavenly’s Gondola Ball Drop will cross above the crowd, and a fabulous fireworks show will light up the night. The party continues into the night at one of the many casino nightclubs.
Live Concert 7:00 pm
Ice Sculpting Show
LED Dance Show
Gondola Ball Drop and Fireworks Show 9:00 pm
Kick off 2018 in one of the many casino clubs in South Lake Tahoe, and go all in celebrating the New Year!” – tahoesouth.com
Driving to Tahoe often and interested in ride sharing? Meet new ski and ride friends. Preserve the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. Join Snow Pals to car pool/ride share to and from Tahoe; share expenses and meet folks to ski and ride with.
Want to sleep and let a professional driver take you to your favorite Tahoe resort?Book a discount SF Bay Area to Tahoe ski bus trip: one day and overnight bus trips. Enjoy a full day of skiing or riding; sleep on the way to Tahoe and watch movies on the return while enjoying complimentary snacks and drinks.
For last minute lift ticket deals, browse discounts at:
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