Welcome to the 2021/2022 Lake Tahoe ski season! We know things were a little different last winter during the pandemic, so we have summarized what you can expect this year.
1. No Reservations for Downhill Skiing
No Lake Tahoe area downhill ski resorts are requiring reservations this year. In an effort to maintain limited capacity for improved guest experience, Sugar Bowl Resort will offer lift ticket advanced sales only, with no purchases available at a ticket window. Granlibakken will have time slots for sledding with breaks for grooming. Tahoe Winter Sports Park will require advanced reservations for 2-hour time slots for sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
2. Employees are Vaccinated
Vail Resorts (Northstar California, Heavenly Mountain and Kirkwood), Palisades Tahoe and Sugar Bowl Resort all have vaccination requirements for employement.
3. Outdoor Operations without Restrictions
Lifts will load at regular capacities, with mixed lines, and no outdoor mask requirements. Gondolas will load in pre-pandemic format, at full capacity. Northstar will resume 7 day/week operations of the ice skating rink as well as the free s'mores & tost. At all resorts, ski & snowboard lessons resume to pre-pandemic protocols.
3. Indoor Variations
Resorts will follow different protocols for indoor dining. Check with specific resorts to understand mask requirements.
4. The Mountaineer Returns to Palisades Tahoe
The free on-demand shuttle service at Palisades Tahoe returns to Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows with expanded hours.
New at Palisades Tahoe
A new beginner magic carpet up at High Camp expands beginner access. Sun Bowl dining will offer healthy options like poke bowls and acai bowls. Darren Rahlves joins the Palisades Tahoe team. All events resume this year, and new this season, Palisades Tahoe will host the US Freestyle Event, March 23-27. WinterWondergrass returns April 1-3. Ikon Thursdays offers discounts on Thursdays to passholders with things like free tubing, free wax, double discounts, early lift access and more. The base-to-base gondola will resume construction in the spring with the goal of opening for the following season.
New at Sugar Bowl Resort
A continued effort on limited pass and ticket sales is aimed at preserving the mountain experience. Advance purchase is required. Guests who plan in advance arrive happy, rested, and knowledgable. Royal Gorge, Sugar Bowl's sister cross-country ski resort, celebrate's 50 years and is expanding the network of trails and adding more dog-friendly trails.
New at Northstar California
Northstar wants to reimagine the future of skiing. Rather than 'going back' to pre-pandemic times, the focus is on being creative, using technology and coming out of our learnings from the past year as an improved experience. Dining will be on a reservation system, so that families are guaranteed tables in the lodge when ready for a ski break. Zephyr Lodge will take orders and payments at the table via a QR code. With Vail's $300M commitment to upgrade lifts, guests can look forward to a new Comstock high speed 6-pack coming in the 2022/23 season.
Diamond Peak Updates
Last Tracks returns this year, moving to Wednesday nights. These events typically sell out, so plan ahead! Diamond Peak's famed winter events like the Ullr Festival and the Dummy Downhill are back on the calendar after a two-year hiatus.
Homewood Mountain Resort Updates
Homewood will bring back their cat skiing operation this year to expereince out-of-bounds terrain by Ellis Peak. Max occupancy is 9 guests, and you can buy out the cat for $3500. For beginners, complete three ski lessons and get a season pass for free!
Mt. Rose - Ski Tahoe Updates
Check out the new webcams at Mt. Rose! Mt. Rose brings back daily specials this year with Two'fer Tuesdays and Ladies' Day Thursdays.