Sierra-at-Tahoe
City:
Sierra at Tahoe
Region:
West Coast
Updated:
October 31, 2024
66
PeakRankings Score
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
[Year] Rankings
Overall Rank
#
46
Rank In
United States
#
36
Rank In
California
#
5
Category Scores
Snow
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The resort gets top accumulation and snow that forms in a way that feels light and powdery all the time.
9
The resort sees very good accumulation and gets powder that takes awhile to track or feels notably light.
8
The resort sees very good snow accumulation each season that tends to stay powdery for several days in a row.
7
The resort sees very good, powdery snow accumulation each season, but powder doesn't always last long at certain places in the resort.
6
The resort sees good accumulation that forms a solid base each season and sometimes sees powder but sometimes suffers from variable cover.
5
The resort sees decent accumulation each season but sometimes suffers from variable cover and rarely sees powder.
4
The resort sees okay accumulation each season. Non-snowmaking trails regularly suffer from thin or variable cover.
3
The resort sees mediocre accumulation each season. Thin cover is a given on all non-snowmaking trails.
2
The resort receives poor accumulation each season and must heavily rely on snowmaking to stay open.
1
The resort would have little to no snow if it weren't for snowmaking. If you're not on a trail, you probably don't see any accumulation.
0
The resort doesn’t get any snow.
7
Lifts
Criteria Breakdown
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10
High-speed lifts exist across every mountain area. Helper lifts are high-speed as well.
9
Most lifts are high-speed, with only a few areas serviced by helper fixed-grip lifts.
8
All but a few areas are accessible by high-speed lifts. Helper lifts may be fixed grip.
7
Most areas are accessible by high-speed lifts. Helper lifts are fixed grip.
6
Many areas are accessible by high-speed lifts, but some are only serviced by fixed-grip lifts.
5
About half of areas are accessible by high-speed lifts.
4
A few areas are accessible by high-speed lifts, but most areas only see fixed-grip lift service.
3
All lifts are fixed grip but some are at least modern.
2
Lifts are extremely old or low-capacity. Some places are only serviced by surface lifts.
1
Surface lifts only.
0
No lifts.
6
Resiliency
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The mountain can quickly recover from the worst conditions and deliver the exact same experience as on a good day.
9
The mountain can quickly recover from almost any poor conditions thanks to excellent poor snow and weather mitigation.
8
The mountain successfully mitigates snow or weather issues in nearly every mountain area and across all terrain categories. A few parts of the resort may occasionally see significant impacts.
7
The mountain successfully mitigates snow or weather issues in most mountain areas, but some parts of the mountain are highly affected by inclement weather or poor conditions.
6
The mountain successfully mitigates snow or weather issues in many mountain areas, but other parts are highly susceptible to inclement weather or poor conditions.
5
The mountain has some capabilities to avoid inclement weather or poor conditions, but struggles to mitigate poor conditions in many mountain areas.
4
The mountain has some capabilities to avoid inclement weather or poor conditions, but is regularly forced to close a few major parts of the mountain. Under severe circumstances, the mountain may be forced to completely suspend operations.
3
The mountain has some capabilities to avoid inclement weather or poor conditions, but is regularly forced to close multiple major mountain areas. Occasionally, the mountain may be forced to suspend operations completely.
2
In the event of any inclement weather, the mountain loses most of its skiable terrain, with restoration regularly taking several days or weeks. A few small runs may stay open.
1
In the event of any inclement weather, the mountain loses its entire skiable footprint and may take weeks to recover.
0
Any inclement weather issues are season-ending.
6
Crowd Flow
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The mountain's infrastructure is perfectly set up for crowd flow and capacity and does the best possible job to mitigate crowding.
9
The mountain's lift infrastructure is mostly direct and well-placed with excellent capacity.
8
The mountain's lift infrastructure is mostly direct and well-placed with good capacity. One or two areas could use a capacity upgrade.
7
The mountain's lift infrastructure is usually direct and well-placed with good capacity. A few areas could use a capacity upgrade or better placed lifts. Trails themselves rarely become chokepoints.
6
The mountain's lift and trail network is usually direct with good capacity. Some areas suffer from indirect lift placements or poorly thought out junctions.
5
The mountain’s lift and trail network comprises a comparable mix of direct, well-placed routes and indirect or capacity-constrained ones.
4
The mountain's lift and trail network is set up in a way that causes major crowding or indirect routing for many popular routes. Some areas are served by direct, well-placed lifts.
3
The mountain's lift and trail network causes serious crowding or indirect routing for most areas, but a few places are served by direct, well-placed lifts.
2
The mountain's lift and trail network is not equipped to handle crowds on a normal day and sees backups of more than half an hour.
1
The mountain's crowd flow logistics are seriously flawed. Poor lift placement and uphill capacity can cause backups of more than an hour.
0
The mountain's crowd flow logistics are so bad that you shouldn't expect to get on the mountain on a typical day.
7
Size
Criteria Breakdown
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10
7000+ skiable acres
9
3500-7000 skiable acres
8
2500-3500 skiable acres
7
1800-2500 skiable acres
6
1200-1800 skiable acres
5
800-1200 skiable acres
4
500-800 skiable acres
3
250-500 skiable acres
2
100-250 skiable acres
1
1-100 skiable acres
0
0 skiable acres
6
Facilities
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The mountain boasts easily accessible, high-capacity lodges at every major and minor junction area.
9
The mountain boasts easily accessible, high-capacity lodges throughout most mountain areas.
8
The mountain boasts several lodges or huts across the resort. A few minor mid- or high-elevation areas lack easy access to high-capacity facilities.
7
The mountain boasts several lodges or huts across the resort. Some major mountain areas lack easy access to high-capacity facilities.
6
The mountain boasts several lodges or huts across multiple areas, but some places lack easy access to the closest facilities.
5
The mountain consists of high-capacity lodges at each base area but suffers from limited, low-capacity, or impractically placed on-mountain facilities.
4
The mountain consists of high-capacity lodges at each base area. Any on-mountain facilities are limited, low-capacity, and impractically placed.
3
The mountain consists of at least one high-capacity base lodge but no on-mountain facilities.
2
The mountain consists of a moderately-sized base lodge but no on-mountain facilities.
1
The mountain consists of a singular base lodge that's either impractically small or hard to reach.
0
The mountain doesn't consist of any on-site lodge facilities.
7
Terrain Diversity
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The mountain has an abundance of terrain in all categories for all ability levels.
9
The mountain offers multiple options in all terrain categories you'd typically find at a ski resort.
8
The mountain offers at least some options in all terrain categories you'd typically find at a ski resort.
7
The mountain offers terrain in most categories for a range of ability levels, but may fall short in one or two areas.
6
The mountain offers terrain in many categories but either falls short or lacks terrain in a few others.
5
The mountain offers terrain of varying lengths, gradients, and widths but lacks terrain in multiple categories.
4
The mountain offers similar terrain of moderately different lengths, gradients, and widths.
3
The mountain offers similar terrain of slightly different lengths, gradients, or widths.
2
The mountain consists of runs that are similar to one another but vary slightly by difficulty.
1
The mountain only consists of runs that provide nearly identical terrain experiences.
0
The mountain has no terrain.
6
Navigation
Criteria Breakdown
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10
It's easy, direct, and clear to get anywhere on the mountain from any place.
9
It's easy, direct, and clear to get anywhere on the mountain from most places. A small fraction of trails don't have direct access to all other mountain areas.
8
It's easy to get to and from most mountain areas. A few minor areas aren't directly accessible from all other parts of the resort or may be hard to find.
7
It's reasonably simple to get between most major mountain areas. A few areas require catwalks or traverses to get to or from or are hard to find. Some areas require multiple direct lift rides to travel between.
6
It's reasonably simple to get between many major mountain areas, but some areas require more effort due to poor signage, indirect lifts, or catwalks.
5
Some mountain areas are easy to navigate while others require more effort due to poor signage, indirect lifts, or catwalks.
4
Some mountain areas are easy to get between, but navigating many major areas can be confusing. Some major trails may suffer from poor signage or require catwalks.
3
It can take multiple lifts or be notably confusing to get between major resort areas. Many resort areas suffer from indirect trail routes, poor signage, or multiple catwalks.
2
It takes a substantial amount of effort and multiple indirect lifts to get between resort areas with little enjoyable terrain in between. Expect to occasionally get lost.
1
Expect to regularly get lost at this resort due to poor signage and lift placement. Getting between mountain areas requires notable effort and extremely unenjoyable terrain.
0
It's impossible to get around this resort. You will likely get lost or spend your whole day trying to get from one place to another.
7
Challenge
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The resort boasts truly extreme terrain across several prominent areas. Any double blacks should not be attempted, even by experts, without using extreme caution.
9
Select resort areas boast some of the most challenging runs in the world. The most challenging terrain should not be attempted, even by experts, without using extreme caution.
8
The mountain boasts extremely demanding terrain with sustained pitches, cliffs, drop-ins, and/or tight turns.
7
The mountain offers a range of very steep, ungroomed terrain with features like cliffs, drop-ins, or tight turns.
6
The mountain offers a range of steep, difficult terrain, with expert features like cliffs in some places.
5
The mountain offers some fairly steep groomed and ungroomed runs.
4
The mountain offers some steep runs but very little ungroomed terrain.
3
The mountain primarily offers groomed terrain with moderate pitches.
2
The mountain offers mostly gently-sloped terrain.
1
None of the mountain's terrain is more difficult than a typical bunny hill.
0
The mountain is completely flat.
7
Mountain Aesthetic
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The resort offers one-of-a-kind views, terrain, isolation, and vibes. You probably won't find a resort that feels like this again in your lifetime.
9
The resort offers unique terrain, views, and isolation that you'll rarely find anywhere else.
8
The resort clearly distinguishes itself with class-leading views, terrain, and isolation.
7
The resort feels unique, with high-quality views, terrain, and isolation across the footprint.
6
The resort doesn't boast the same unique terrain as some competing resorts but offers excellent views and isolation in many areas.
5
The resort offers some cool terrain and great views and isolation in some areas. Some areas may feel commercialized or built-up.
4
The resort offers decently cool terrain, nice views, or pockets of isolation in places. Major areas may feel commercialized or built-up.
3
The resort either feels commercialized or built-up around more than half the resort or offers only moderately interesting terrain, views and isolation.
2
The resort either feels commercialized or built-up in most areas or offers only mildly interesting terrain, views or isolation.
1
The resort barely feels like a mountain, with intense commercialization and very little in the way of views, terrain, or isolation.
0
The resort is completely flat or indoors.
7
Good To Know
Aprés-ski:
Limited
On-site Lodging:
No
Nearest City:
Pass Affiliation:
Powder Alliance
Epic [Backend]
Ikon [Backend]
Mountain Collective [Backend]
Other [Backend]
Recommended Ability:
From
Beginner
To
Advanced
Beginner [Backend]
Intermediate [Backend]
Advanced [Backend]
Expert [Backend]
Extreme [Backend]
Pros
- Diverse bowl and tree terrain
- Excellent freestyle experience
- Local feel
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
- No on-site lodging
- Expert terrain is unpatrolled and subject to particularly variable openings
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Mountain Stats
1550
acres
Skiable Footprint
2000
acres
Total Footprint
96
%
Lift-Serviced Terrain
8852
ft
Top Elevation
2212
ft
Vertical Drop
14
Lifts
47
Trails
25
%
Beginner
50
%
Intermediate
25
%
Advanced/Expert
Comprehensive Review
As the closest resort to some major California cities and one of the few with no on-site lodging, Sierra-at-Tahoe plays the role of day-trip mountain more so than any other Tahoe-area resort. This moderately-sized area doesn’t offer the crazy lake views, striking terrain, or expansive base village that some other resorts have; instead, the resort aims to deliver no-frills, family-friendly terrain with a local feel.
We don’t expect families to have many complaints about the terrain at Sierra. Unlike some Tahoe-area resorts, Sierra offers an enjoyable beginner experience; most mountain areas contain multiple green options. Beginner trails off the top of Grand View offer some of the best views at the resort. Intermediate runs in upper mountain areas are short, but the lower-elevation West Bowl area contains an abundance of groomed blue cruisers. If you’re looking for something steep and straight, the resort usually grooms at least one black run in this area as well.
None of Sierra’s trails are particularly long, but a few feature serious challenges. The toughest terrain exists on the main face of the resort, officially known as Grand View. Steep and notoriously ungroomed, this area contains especially large moguls that form due to rocks on trails.
Grand View also contains access to Sierra’s Huckleberry Canyon, an expansive area that offers the most difficult technical challenges at the resort, including cliffs and steep drop-ins, and the mountain’s only true high-alpine environment. Much of the best Huckleberry terrain requires a short but worthwhile hike. The terrain here is unpatrolled, so it’s highly recommended to take extra precautions and stay in groups when visiting this area.
Sierra boasts a competitive freestyle setup thanks to various terrain park areas across the resort. Features range from small to large, among them a halfpipe and unique boardercross course. If you’re in the right area and plan your way correctly, you can hit multiple terrain parks in a single run.
Formerly, Sierra’s largest terrain advantage came from its excellent glades. Skiable, widely spaced trees existed across most of the resort, and these areas tended to stay less tracked than designated trails. However, this all changed after the Caldor fire swept across the mountain in August 2021, forcing the resort to close for a season and drastically altering the resort’s terrain.
The most stark changes occurred in the West Bowl area, where the zone is now actually a true bowl. Gone are the acres of trees from the West Bowl area, replaced by fresh, open slopes to explore—although the former tree areas are technically off-piste with no grooming or snowmaking. The Grandview area is also mostly devoid of its former glade terrain. Only Jack's Bowl, which has been significantly thinned, and Huckleberry Canyon, a variably open expert-only area, still provide a taste of the type of terrain that used to dominate the majority of the resort.
In an average season, Sierra-at-Tahoe enjoys high-quality snow thanks to generous snowfall and drier, lighter accumulation than other resorts closer to the lake. However, the resort is subject to the same wide snow variance as other Tahoe resorts, with some seasons seeing very little snow and others receiving continuous powder. It’s also worth noting that Sierra sits at a lower elevation than most other Tahoe-area mountains, and as such, doesn’t hold its accumulation quite as well. However, the resort doesn’t see the same wind problems that multiple nearby higher-elevation resorts suffer from.
Some areas suffer more than others when it comes to this variability. Lower West Bowl runs, which drop as low as 6,600 feet, can get slushy or bare after days with little to no snow. In addition, the backcountry-like Huckleberry area requires significant snow cover to open—in a regular year, some gates will remain closed for significant portions of the season. During really bad seasons, the area might not open at all. Sierra’s famous tree terrain can withstand days without snow thanks to its sun-shielded nature, but without enough of a base layer, it’ll lack sufficient cover to practically ski.
Ultimately, the resort stays resilient thanks to snowmaking across multiple mountain areas. Most snowmaking occurs early in the season to ensure a consistent open date, but in less-than-ideal years, it may continue throughout the winter.
Getting around the resort isn’t bad for the most part, but it can be confusing or annoying at times. Getting from the base of Grand View to other base area lifts or facilities requires a mild uphill traverse, so you’ll have to plan ahead if you want to leave that area and want to avoid catwalking. In addition, there’s a long traverse and some small uphill portions required to get out of the Huckleberry area. At least the fire-torn footprint makes it easier to find the lower-elevation West Bowl area than in years’ past, with the path there from the Easy Rider base lift much more visibly evident than in previous years.
Sierra doesn’t boast the striking terrain or breathtaking lake views that some other Lake Tahoe resorts have, but compared to these larger, somewhat commercialized resorts, the vibes at Sierra are almost refreshing. It’s a very local resort with little buildup, and the mountain feels naturally beautiful, especially when you’re in the distinctive trees.
Sierra tends to get crowded on weekends and holidays, but redundant lift logistics allow the resort to handle crowd flow well. Lines can build up on the Grandview and West Bowl Express lifts, but they’re each relieved by parallel fixed-grip lifts. Even the Easy Rider Express bunny hill lift is relieved by two double chairs servicing longer but similarly pitched terrain. If you’re really concerned about the wait and want to bypass lines altogether, you can throw down the extra money to buy a Fast Pass.
Most parts of the resort are serviced by at least one high-speed lift. Even the bunny hill is serviced by a high-speed quad; we think it may be the only such application in the Tahoe area. Only the backside is stuck with slow lift service, but it’s possible to quickly get out of there via the aptly named Short Stuff lift.
If you’re looking to stop for a break at Sierra, you’ll find nice on-mountain facilities at major junction points. Food at these is somewhat reasonably priced compared to other Tahoe resorts. All boast outdoor seating, which is great for soaking up the sun on warm days—which, of course, Tahoe gets a lot of.
Lodging
Sierra-at-Tahoe offers no lodging on site. A few basic inns and lodges exist a few miles away from the resort.
The lively town of South Lake Tahoe, about half an hour away and home to Heavenly, contains multiple inns and hotels. These options range from bargain-basement to luxury, and many shops in town sell Sierra-at-Tahoe tickets. A number of casinos exist here, and the upscale Montbleu Casino offers packages with free shuttle rides to and from Sierra.
Apres-ski
Since there isn’t a town, Sierra-at-Tahoe doesn’t really have any nightlife. However, the mountain’s excellent base bar and patio make it a genuinely enjoyable spot for afternoon apres-ski. The resort even hosts concerts here on some days. If apres can’t wait until the end of the day for you, both on-mountain lodges contain bars with outdoor patios as well.
Verdict
Sierra aims to be a local, family-friendly mountain with high-quality terrain, and it successfully achieves that goal. The resort isn’t the largest and there’s no slopeside lodging, but very reasonable advance-sale ticket and pass prices make it an excellent value for what you get.
NOTE:Mountain Score criteria for this resort were adjustedon October 12, 2021,April 11, 2021, andFebruary 21, 2021.
Best Winter Wonderland Getaway
The resort is a true winter wonderland, with stunning scenery and fantastic skiing conditions. The après-ski activities were a blast, and the staff went out of their way to ensure everything ran smoothly. I especially enjoyed the variety of trails and the relaxing atmosphere after a day on the slopes.
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