Tahoe talk...Help me decide

[FreshPow]

Ill be in north Tahoe for Christmas (traveling tomorrow...ugh!). Usually I like Mt. Rose, Squaw or Sugar but this time we are bringing the whole darn family and don't want to drive too far either I storm conditions. The two closest places are Northstar (never been) and Alpine Meadows (like a lot).

For Tahoe regulars, which place is best for a broad range of skill sets? We have intermediate to advanced skiers and beginner to advanced snowboarders.

Wish I could be in Mammoth instead!

[cheapski]

For Tahoe regulars, which place is best for a broad range of skill sets?

The blackjack tables at Harvey's.

I like Alpine Meadows. In a storm though, it gets as much shut down as Mammoth higher up. Northstar has more resort development in case its really nasty.

[windyscotty]

Killer avalanches at Alpine.

[SnowtigerDaniel]

If you're close to Alpine Meadows, you're close to Squaw. If you're closer to Northstar, check it out. It doesn't have much in the way of scary steeps, but the family might enjoy it. If you get a really nice sunny day, I highly recommend taking a little extra half hour drive past Alpine Meadows and check out Homewood. Homewood is literally across the street from Lake Tahoe. The views are amazing, and you almost feel like you could ski right into the lake. It's definitely worth at least a one time try on a beautiful sunny day.

[FreshPow]

If you're close to Alpine Meadows, you're close to Squaw. If you're closer to Northstar, check it out. It doesn't have much in the way of scary steeps, but the family might enjoy it. If you get a really nice sunny day, I highly recommend taking a little extra half hour drive past Alpine Meadows and check out Homewood. Homewood is literally across the street from Lake Tahoe. The views are amazing, and you almost feel like you could ski right into the lake. It's definitely worth at least a one time try on a beautiful sunny day.

I have experienced a fabulous bluebird day at Homewood! I agree that's it's worth it...it's like skiing right into the lake!
Thanks for the reminder...that may be our pick.

[windyscotty]

"The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's Governing Board approved the first phase of the Homewood Mountain Resort Ski Area Master Plan during a more than nine hour meeting in Tahoe City.

The $500 million project includes construction of a 5-star hotel with up to 75 rooms, 56 residential condominiums, 47 multi-family condominiums, 48 ski-in ski-out chalets, 16 townhomes, 13 workforce housing apartments and 15,000 square feet of retail space, along with an additional 40 individually owned condos and 30 individually owned penthouse units.

A public swimming pool, ice skating rink and outdoor amphitheater are also planned as part of the project. The project's plans can be viewed at www.skihomewood.com/masterplan.

Completion of the master plan is expected to take 10 years, with the start of construction on the first phase anticipated in 2014."

If you want to see the good old Homewood, go now.

[Brdrski]

Love Alpine and Homewood. Haven't been to Northstar in years, but I do remember it being quite intermediate-friendly. I hear they have a village now. With a Mikuni Sushi. Yum.

[Stephen]

Love Alpine and Homewood. Haven't been to Northstar in years, but I do remember it being quite intermediate-friendly. I hear they have a village now. With a Mikuni Sushi. Yum.

If Northstar is pretty much 100 percent open, that's a safe bet. So green-blue friendly, with just enough to entertain those beyond those color defs, at least for a day or two. I love Alpine, though, albeit based on one day.

[cheapski]

What's Diamond Peak like? Since its over on the Carsons I assume its not quite as stormy as the Sierra side.

[SurfnSnowboard]

What's Diamond Peak like? Since its over on the Carsons I assume its not quite as stormy as the Sierra side.

Very small. Reminds me of Snow Summit. Not much in the way of advanced terrain IIRC. Good for beginners or if you want to cruise groomers.

Last time I was there was after Christmas '96 through New Years Day '97. That was the day of the BIG flood when the tropical AR melted the 5 feet of snow on the ground at lake level. Only one road out of Tahoe was open and it was a MESS getting out. A local DJ had a sick sense of humor when he played "Flood" by Jars of Clay following the Emergency Broadcast System warning about the flooding. First time I've ever heard the EBS used for anything other than a test!

[squid]

Tahoe is like a woman. You'll need a 5 point plan.

#'s 3 & 5 are key . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... VGbEh695Ig

[SnowtigerDaniel]

What's Diamond Peak like? Since its over on the Carsons I assume its not quite as stormy as the Sierra side.

Yes, when the weather is bad at Squaw, it's not so bad at Diamond Peak. The reason to go to Diamond Peak is to try the conveyor belt loading lift system. You push through the gate, and a conveyor belt moves you until you meet the chair. Pretty cool for at least one day. The views are also pretty spectacular at Diamond Peak, you get that sensation of being able to ski into the lake, even though it's pretty far away. If the snow is good, they have a lot of tree skiing off the main run. It's a small place, but it's worth going to at least once.

[theHighwayman]

speakin of Tahoe -- got this tnite

Woo hoo!
Date: 12/23/2012 5:01:10 PM Pacific Standard Time
Tom,
I just arrived at the Lake Tahoe cabin during a snow storm! All thanks to your excellent teaching when I got to the "Chains required" point and there were no chain monkeys in sight, I knew just what to do- I had the chains on in about 10 minutes. Lots of other people were struggling, one even started driving but stopped when his chains fell off. It was such a comfort to have confidence in putting the chains on right!
Thanks!
John

[SurfnSnowboard]

^^^ I saw pics of I-80 on the news tonight and it was a MESS with huge lines of traffic and stuck vehicles due to the heavy snow. Sounds like your customer really paid attention to your instructions and was better off for it.

[rphenry]

"The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's Governing Board approved the first phase of the Homewood Mountain Resort Ski Area Master Plan during a more than nine hour meeting in Tahoe City.

The $500 million project includes construction of a 5-star hotel with up to 75 rooms, 56 residential condominiums, 47 multi-family condominiums, 48 ski-in ski-out chalets, 16 townhomes, 13 workforce housing apartments and 15,000 square feet of retail space, along with an additional 40 individually owned condos and 30 individually owned penthouse units.

A public swimming pool, ice skating rink and outdoor amphitheater are also planned as part of the project. The project's plans can be viewed at http://www.skihomewood.com/masterplan.

Completion of the master plan is expected to take 10 years, with the start of construction on the first phase anticipated in 2014."

If you want to see the good old Homewood, go now.

Homewood would do better to spend the money upgrading and realigning their lift system.