Resort Overview
One of Lake Tahoe’s off-piste gold mines, Alpine Meadows is a local’s favorite alternative to it’s more well known neighbor Squaw Valley. It’s all about the terrain here, especially for those willing to traverse or hike a little bit. You won’t find the kind of lodges, restaurants and other frills like seen at the big resorts around the lake, but you will find powder stashes that sticking around here when other resorts have nothing left but tracks. Alpine has an open boundary, which is not commonly found in the States.
The lines are shorter, the terrain bigger and the fun unlimited at Alpine Meadows, especially mid week when you won’t have to worry about any kind of crowds. It’s hard to beat if freeriding, tree riding and great terrain is what you are after.
Trail Details
Beginner Runs: 25%
Intermediate Runs: 40%
Advanced Runs: 35%
Expert Runs: 0%
Longest Run: 3.0 miles
Terrain Details
Elevation
Highest Point: 8,637 ft
Vertical Drop: 1,802 ft
Lowest Point: 6,835 ft
Skiable Terrain: 2400 acres
Backcountry/Off-Piste: Yes
Tree Runs: Yes
Lift Info
Total Number of Lifts: 12
Gondolas & Trams: 0
High Speed Sixes: 1
High Speed Quads: 2
Quad Chairs: 0
Triple Chairs: 3
Double Chairs: 4
Surface Lifts: 2
Lift Hours of Operation
Monday: 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Tuesday: 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Thursday: 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Friday: 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Saturday: 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Sunday: 09:00 AM – 04:00 PM
Night Skiing: No
Lift Tickets
Adult Single Day: $71+
Teen Single Day: $54+
Child Single Day: $15+
>View Deals on Alpine Meadows Lift Tickets
>Also see our guides to deals on: Tahoe Lift Tickets and Sierra at Tahoe Lift Tickets
Snowfall
Average Annual Snowfall: 365 inches
Snow Making Capability: 800 acres
Terrain Park
Halfpipe: Yes – 1
Terrain Park: Yes – 1
Ski/Snowboard School
Beginner lessons are available for skiing and snowboarding, including daily lessons, multi-day camps and specialty clinics. Instruction for advanced skill levels is also available through their “Steep Camp” program which teaches avalanche safety, tips on terrain and conditions, and steeps skiing/snowboarding.
Important Dates
Ski Season Dates: Typically November to May
On and Off-Mountain Services
Alpine Meadows is a no-frills resort. It’s all about the terrain here, so don’t expect as much as the bigger resorts offer. With that said, on-mountain amenities include a car park, restaurants and lodges. Off-mountain services are available in nearby Tahoe City or other North Lake Tahoe cities.
Lodging Info
There isn’t much available at Alpine Meadows in terms of slopeside accommodation. The best bet can be found in and around nearby Tahoe City (6 miles away), which has a large number of options for lodging (as well as restaurants. ski shops and the typical tourist shopping and souvenir shops).
Transportation Info
Driving Directions:
Coming in from Reno, take highway 80 west to Truckee (about 45 miles). Then take route 89
South (about 10 miles), and finally turn right onto Alpine Meadows Road (3 miles). Total travel time is
about 1.5 hours.
Coming in from San Francisco take highway 80 all the way to Truckee. Then take route 89
South (about 10 miles), and finally turn right onto Alpine Meadows Road (3 miles). Total travel time is
about 4 hours.
Flying:
The closest large airport is Reno International. Shuttles to North Lake Tahoe cities have a transfer
time of around 1 hr or sometimes less. Shuttles are available with drop off at the resort area as well.
Bus/Coach:
Busses are available from Reno with travel time of about 1 hour. Busses are available from San
Francisco with a travel time of about 5 hours to Tahoe City. Snow busses are also available to take you
from bay area cities directly to and from Alpine Meadows for day trips.
Other Activities
Heliskiing: Not Available
Snowmobiles: Yes
Tubing: Yes
Snowboarding Access
Snowboarding is permitted on all ski lifts.
History
Alpine Meadows was founded in 1961 by John Riley. The genesis of the idea was born, some say, when a group of avid skiers were visiting the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympic Games. They saw the neighboring mountains, and decided to form an alternative to the bustling Squaw Resort. Alpine opened for the 1961-1962 season with 3 lifts and slowly expanded from there.
Summer Activities
The ski resort is closed during the summer, however the Tahoe National Forest is open for mountain biking, hiking and other outdoor activities.
Contact Info
Alpine Meadows Ski Resort
PO Box 5279
2600 Alpine Meadows Road
Tahoe City, CA 96145
Tel: 530.583.4232
Fax:530-583-0963
Snow phone: 530.581.8374
Other Information
Snowboard Leashes Required: Yes
Common misspellings: Alpine Medows, Alpine-Meadows, Alpinemeadow, Alpinemeadows, Alpinemedows, Apline-Meadow