Planning a Ski Trip to Tahoe: 7 Must Knows

Planning a ski trip to Tahoe is usually on every skier and snowboarder’s bucket list. Home to some of the best skiing in the country, there is lodging that matches the hype. As you plan a trip to Tahoe, there are 7 things you should know before you go. Let’s jump into them.

Choosing the Best Resort in Tahoe:

Lake Tahoe is home to several ski resorts, each with its own unique atmosphere and terrain. Northstar has a really good terrain park and some of the most diverse terrain around the Tahoe area, with 100 trails across 3,000 acres that allow parties to curate an on-mountain adventure everyone will love. The famous Palisades Tahoe is also nearby.

Depending on how long you are in Tahoe, it doesn’t hurt to check out a few of the many ski resorts in the area. That is why having lodging near one of the resorts is crucial to a great experience at Tahoe, and Wander Tahoe Slopes is a true ski-in/ski-out with direct access to Northstar’s Timberline Triple Lift. But, more on that in a minute.

Book Your Lodging in Advance (Or Miss Out)

Tahoe is busy in the winter. As you’d expect, the prices increase a bit but that doesn’t stop the best lodging from being taken first. It is always the ones closest to the ski resorts that fill up first. The closer to the resort means more time on the slopes and being able to enjoy the atmosphere off the slopes.

Take Wander’s Tahoe Slopes property, it is perfectly located to be on Northstar’s slopes in minutes but you don’t feel the crowds once heading back to your accommodations. Properties like these around Tahoe tend to book up months in advance considering it can sleep up to 10 people and is a literal ski-in/ski-out home meaning you don’t need to worry about resort parking or hopping on a ski shuttle. 

Plan for Transportation:

If you're flying into Lake Tahoe, you'll need to arrange transportation from the airport to your accommodations. Two options are Uber and airport shuttles.

How Long to Stay?  (The Optimal Time at Tahoe) 

As we mentioned, there are plenty of resorts to ski in the Tahoe area, so how long should you stay?  For an ideal trip, to hit Northstar and a bit of Palisades, you are going to want at least a week. 

There is just so much terrain to ride, things to see and resorts to explore. Even after a week, you will probably be saying, “I wish I had more time”. That is the beauty that gets people coming back in the following years. 

Ski Group Size:

A key component of planning a Tahoe ski trip or any ski trip is the group size. Not only does it determine what type of lodging you can get but also the cost per person. The larger the group size and the price per head usually drops down dramatically.

There are many ways to put on a good ski trip to Tahoe. A group of friends, a family or even having two families share accommodations can lead to much more affordable trips. Generally, having a large group size means you’ll also be able to afford and stay in larger properties near the slopes. Luckily, Wander Tahoe Slopes can sleep up to 10 comfortably! 

Tips to Avoid Crowds at Tahoe: 

Similar to other big ski resorts, the ones in Tahoe see the major crowds on the weekends and holidays. To avoid the crowds, you’ll want to stay close to the resorts, get an early start and have your lift tickets in advance.

Palisades Tahoe can be a bit heavier on the crowds due to it’s fame but Northstar has just as good riding. Avoiding the crowds can come down to picking the right resort and a good week to go on.

Food Options at Tahoe: 

While the après-ski scene is lively in Tahoe, it isn’t the only food scene. One way to level up your ski trip vacation is to have a chef come over for a night. There are quite a few options like Crave Lake Tahoe and Abenteuer. To really cap off a luxury ski trip experience, sit back and relax while someone else does the cooking for your family or group.

Planning a Ski Trip to Tahoe: Finalizing Your Plans

Cross Tahoe off the bucket list or head back to one of the best skiing destinations in the U.S. While there will be snow on the mountains, there won’t always be great accommodations. Book early to Tahoe so you can have a ski vacation of a lifetime!