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Lake Tahoe | California

Backcountry Skiing in Lake Tahoe

Season

Mid-December through the end of May

Nearest city

San Francisco, CA, is 3.5 hours away by car

Skill level

Beginner to advanced

Duration

1 day

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Read about Lake Tahoe and other California backcountry skiing spots here

Head past Tahoe's resort boundaries and reap the rewards!

Sitting between the California and Nevada border and nestled in the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe is home to a host of world-class ski resorts and world-class backcountry terrain just beyond them. The Sierra Nevada sees plenty of snow year after year, making it a huge draw for weekend warriors looking to shred some powder from nearby Reno or San Francisco. Resorts like Squaw Meadow-Alpine Valley and Sugar Bowl have opened their terrain to backcountry enthusiasts offering slackcountry skiing at its finest.

Lake Tahoe's most popular backcountry skiing adventures

Private Backcountry Ski Guiding Day

Put yourself into your guide’s hands and customize your day in Lake Tahoe’s backcountry. Whether you want to work on particular techniques or shred some hero pow, your guide will create a custom day of skiing just for you.

from $199 | 1 day
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Intro to Backcountry Skiing Group Class

If you’re a competent resort skier looking to explore terrain beyond resort boundaries, this is the program for you. You’ll cover the basics of tour planning, avalanche gear and how to use it, and discuss the importance of snowpack before heading out. Previous resort skiing experience is required.

$180 per person | 1 day
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Need to know

When is the best time to go?

While most resorts open late November, backcountry conditions are usually ideal mid to late December, as sufficient snowfall is necessary for most objectives.

How fit do I need to be for this adventure?

All skiers should be confident on blue level resort runs and be able to skin while wearing a pack.

Is there a minimum age requirement?

Depending on the guiding service, some allow guests as young as 10, while others require parental accompaniment if younger than 18. Ask your adventure expert.

Group sizes and pricing?

Depending on the guiding service you tour with, group sizes are relatively small with no more than a 1:6 guide-to-client ratio. Pricing is done per participant and fees decrease as the size of the group grows.

What about bad weather?

Inclement weather can often lead to unstable terrain and conditions in the backcountry. Because of this, your guide will decide on what objectives are most suitable and what areas are safe for adventuring on a given day. Avalanche danger is very real and must be respected whenever venturing out for a tour.

Getting there

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is your best bet. You can also fly into San Francisco (SFO) and make the 3.25-hour drive.

World-class terrain with incredible lake views

Lake Tahoe offers amazing opportunities for resort skiers looking for their next big adventure. While some runs have access within boundaries, there are many other options that are attainable the old fashioned way: by earning your turns. Some objectives within Squaw Valley include Granite Chief Peak and the Palisades, Needle Peak, Lyon Peak or Nat Geo, just to name a few. If you begin from Alpine Meadow, consider Twin Peaks, Grouse Rock, and Stanford Rock. Sugar Bowl, on Tahoe’s northeast side, has great options too, especially off of Donner Peak.

The options in Tahoe are endless. Discover objectives in Truckee, Squaw Valley, the West and North Shores, Incline Village and South Lake Tahoe. Pick a direction, and find an objective just about anywhere.

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GUIDES WE RECOMMEND IN Lake Tahoe | California (2)

We pour over client testimonials, double-check permits and verify each guide’s training and certifications.

  • Alpenglow Expeditions, IFMGA/AMGA Certified Guides

    Alpenglow leads expeditions across the mountain ranges of the globe in all disciplines including mountaineering, skiing, ski mountaineering, and rock climbing.
    Listed on 7 57hours adventures

  • Alpine Skills International, IFMGA/AMGA Certified Guides

    ASI commitments to blend the best from American outdoor educational values with progressive techniques of climbing and high mountain skiing that are practiced by the most accomplished alpinists throughout the world.

More adventures...

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Activity

Backcountry Skiing

Date

Wednesday, June 3rd

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