California

Sierra-at-Tahoe Has Reopened With a Radically Transformed Footprint. Here Are Our Initial Thoughts.

Sierra’s famous tree terrain will be almost entirely missing this season, but the fire damage looks to have brought about new, unique terrain features across the resort. We hope to stop by in the coming weeks to check out the revitalization for ourselves.

Palisades Tahoe Red Dog Six-Pack: A Much-Needed Upgrade, Finally Unleashed

Despite a few quirks, this new lift substantially improves the below-treeline experience at Tahoe’s largest resort.

These Are the Best Value Ski Destination Lift Tickets In North America This Winter

All of these resorts offer well-above-average on-mountain experiences for lift ticket prices that undercut scores of similarly good competitors—and if you didn’t pick up an Epic or Ikon pass product before the season started, it’s hard to have your dollar go further than at these peaks.

Learning to Ski or Snowboard: Beginner-Friendly Destination Resorts

If you choose not to learn locally—or don’t have the option to—these resorts offer some of the best beginner bargains and general learning experiences out there

Vail Resorts Debuts 2023-24 Epic Pass Suite, Moves to Phone-Based Access

While access changes for the upcoming season are minimal, Vail Resorts’ multi-resort pass products will no longer come standard with a physical pass. The one remaining non-Vail-owned U.S. partner, Telluride, will now require access reservations.

The 10 Highest Ski/Snowboard Lesson Prices In North America for 2022-23

Learning how to ski or snowboard has never been cheap, but at the most prestigious destinations, this season’s lesson costs approach an entirely new tier of insanity.

Mount Shasta Ski Park

The only decently-sized California ski area north of Tahoe offers limited lift lines and stunning views of the Southern Cascades, but it’s hurt by uncompetitive infrastructure and a bizarrely-integrated recent expansion.

Dodge Ridge

The closest ski area to the Bay Area offers lower traffic than Tahoe, but it’s hurt by limited snowmaking and outdated lift infrastructure.

Homewood

While this Tahoe hill can’t hold its own overall against the destination resorts, it boasts an astonishing, one-of-a-kind mountain aesthetic.

China Peak

While it’s no substitute for a true destination ski resort, this Central California mountain offers admirable terrain variety within a convenient driving distance of Fresno.

Sugar Bowl

This California resort can’t match the acreage and vertical drop of competing Tahoe mountains, but it stands out with trails for all ability levels and an extremely demanding expert footprint.

Bear Valley

This Northern California resort has interesting terrain for skiers and riders of all ability levels as well as a unique and isolated feel, but it lacks the infrastructure to fully compete with the best resorts in the state.

Northstar

This family-friendly resort offers excellent grooming and a top-tier terrain park, but expert and above-treeline terrain is lacking.

Sierra-at-Tahoe

While it can’t boast the same crazy lake views, striking terrain, or expansive base village as some other Tahoe areas, this moderately-sized resort offers reasonable prices and a local feel.

Kirkwood

This relatively undeveloped mountain isn’t for everyone, but its striking aesthetic, local feel, and extreme terrain are tough to match.

Heavenly

This Lake Tahoe area offers some of the most beautiful slopes we’ve seen anywhere. A few logistical problems diminish the resort’s size advantage.

Mammoth

This massive resort offers a highly competitive experience only hours from Southern California, although variable weather patterns may not make it the best place to fly to.

Palisades Tahoe

Two of Tahoe’s best ski areas have now been linked as one continuous lift-served destination, but the resort still functions as two separate mountains in many ways.