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 Kirkwood
Ski Resort is known as one of Lake Tahoe's premier ski resorts
and the locals' favorite. Kirkwood offers downhill skiing,
snowboarding, telemarking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Skiers who are looking for the challenge of steep chutes, powder-filled
open bowls and numerous runs with varying terrain call Kirkwood
their home. With 12 lifts, a 2,000 foot vertical descent and over
68 runs to choose from, Kirkwood offers the best of what skiers
of all ability levels look for in a ski resort. The 2,300 acres
of skiable terrain is 15% beginner, 50% intermediate, 20% advanced
and 15% expert. The longest run is 2.5 miles.
The base elevation of the mountain is 7,800 feet -- the highest
of -- the highest of any major Lake Tahoe resorts. This means
that Kirkwood receives the best each snow storm has to offer.
For the past four consecutive seasons Kirkwood has seen snow depths
greater than any other resort in North America. During the 1998-99
season, the midmountain snowfall was 591 inches. It is not unusual
for the snow base to reach depths of 20 feet at the bottom of
the mountain and 35 feet at the top elevation of 9,800 feet. In
addition, Kirkwood has the snowmaking capability for top-to-bottom
coverage on four runs.
Snowboarding
Kirkwood Ski Resort itself could
easily be considered the largest natural snowboard park in the
entire United States. With its chutes, wide-open bowls and long
gullies, the mountain provides an abundance of snowboarding
terrain. A man-made terrain park adds even more excitement for
snowboarders. Voted as one of the top terrain parks by TransWorld
readers poll. Our Ride Lake Tahoe.com Super Park has features
such as a quarterpipe, tabletop jumps, kickers and a variety
of rails. Kirkwood also has a Super Pipe which is 350 feet long
with 18 walls. It is located in front of the Village Plaza so
spectators can see pipe riders catch the big air. Off of Chair
5 is our Free Air Park for intermediate park riders featuring
a few hits, rails and fun boxes. Near our Timber Creek Lodge
we have Terrain Gardens and Adventure Land which has much smaller
features for the person just starting out. Kirkwood hosts a
variety of snowboarding events throughout the season.
Cross-Country
Skiing at Kirkwood Ski Resort
Kirkwood's cross-country trail system is nestled in a beautiful
Alpine valley high in the Sierra. The scenery is spectacular.
As skiers climb the higher trails to 9,000 feet they have
the sensation of being atop the Sierra. Huge 10,000 foot peaks
tower in the distance providing a true Alpine experience.
Flanked by several wilderness areas, the natural wonders of
the mountain have not been affected by man.
The snow at Kirkwood Ski Resort is consistently deeper and
drier than anywhere else in the Sierra. Each morning the trails
are meticulously machine groomed to provide easy, safe skiing
into the backcountry. The 80 kilometers of diverse skiable
terrain covers more than 4,000 acres, and is rated 20% beginner,
60% intermediate and 20% advanced. The trail system is divided
into three interconnected sections -- the Meadow System, the
Caples Creek System and the Schneider System. All of the trails
are double-tracked with skating lanes. Climb to ridge tops,
glide along the base of impressive lava cliffs and roll along
creeks through picturesque meadows.
Kirkwood combines your outdoor
adventure with environmental awareness and education. Many
trails feature interpretive signs providing for a more rounded
and meaningful visit. When you need to rest, you can sip hot
drinks by a wood-burning stove in the cozy day lodge or warm
up in one of the many trailside warming huts.
For cross-country skiing information, instruction and equipment
rentals, call the Cross-Country Center at 209 258-7248.
Snowshoeing
at Kirkwood Ski Resort
Snowshoeing is a great alternative to cross-county skiing.
It is a relaxing way to enjoy a winter outdoor adventure that
provides a means of traveling in the winter environment. You
can climb steep hillsides without the worry of sliding backwards
and you can get down hills easily without the learning process
necessary on skis. At Kirkwood, you can snowshoe on all 80
kilometers of the cross-country trail system.
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NEW!
Village Service Center
This brand new facility will enable
guests to purchase lift tickets, passes, lessons and rentals in
one convenient stop on the Village Plaza. The new Village Service
Center is located just steps from restaurants, shops and five
of the resort’s most popular lifts.
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NEW!
Magic Carpet & Expanded Children's Ski School
Located in the secluded gentle terrain
of Timber Creek and away from the bustle of the Village, Mighty
Mountain offers premier children’s learn-to-ski programs
in the perfect beginner environment. A new Magic Carpet will make
kids’ first few trips up the hill a breeze. New park specific
classes will focus on basic moves, as well as park etiquette and
safety.
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NEW!
Entrance to Mountain Village
Slopeside shuttle and family drop-off
zone make unloading easy; a new walkway leads guests directly
onto the Village Plaza, containing shops, restaurants, the Village
Ice Rink and all skier services.
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NEW!
Backcountry Awareness Courses
Renowned for its rugged terrain, Kirkwood’s
natural setting provides the perfect environment for adventure
seekers to learn the backcountry basics. New backcountry and survival
seminars and on-mountain clinics are designed to provide a general
understanding of safety practices and survival techniques. Kirkwood
will also offer advanced courses, including EMT and avalanche
certification, as well as firefighter and ropes training.
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NEW!
Powder Flash Alerts
Powder hounds can now subscribe to
receive online notification every time it snows a foot or more,
along with valuable resort-wide coupons that can be downloaded
and redeemed that day.
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Recreational
Racing at Kirkwood Ski Resort
Daily racing on slalom or giant slalom
courses is open to skiers and snowboarders. No previous race experience
is required. State-of-the-art timing equipment clocks you and
your time is announced at the end of each run. Faster, faster!
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Ski
Instruction and Equipment Rentals
Kirkwood's offers a variety of development
programs for skiers and snowboarders, with a focus on fun and
fulfilling skills goals. The Learn-to-Ski and Learn-to-Snowboard
three-day programs guarantee that you will learn to ski or ride
on the first day. ProTurn Clinics replace the standard group lesson,
taking place at the skier's or snowboarder's choice of terrain.
Private, one-on-one instruction is available for all levels, for
all ages and for both skiers and snowboarders. Call 209-258-7245,
Skier Development. Equipment rentals are available at three rental
shops on-site.
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Women's
Workshops
Kirkwood's unique program for women
features workshops hosted by two-time Olympian and reigning World
Technical Champion, Eva Twardokens. These small workshops are
designed to improve technique, increase control and to help women
gain confidence on more challenging terrain with varied snow conditions.
Four-hour workshops are open to intermediate through expert skiers
providing women with the opportunity to elevate skills while enjoying
the companionship and camaraderie of peers. Call 209-258-7245,
Skier Development.
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Mountain
Lodges and Restaurants
Kirkwood has two day lodges, six bars & restaurants
and two cafeterias that offer guests easy and convenient access
to a variety of dining options.
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Mighty Mountain Children's Ski & Snowboard
School
School is in session for skiers ages
4-12 or snowboarders ages 7-12. Programs combine supervised fun
with skill development on the slopes as kids explore Kirkwood's
unique terrain with others of their own age. The customized program
features its own terrain garden, terrain parks and surface lifts.
Full-day programs include lunch.
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Kiddie's
Cross-Country Ski Loop
The Kiddie's Kilometer is a specially
designed one-kilometer loop trail that sits in a small meadow
adjacent to the day lodge. The meadow trail is groomed daily and
is just perfect for children. The trail features life-size outlines
of forest animals and flip-up signs which show an animal track
on the outside and a drawing of the animal when flipped up. Your
children will love it!
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Seawood Child Care Center
This fully self-contained, state-of-the-art
children's center is a state-licensed facility for children ages
2-6. The center features professional supervision and daily indoor
and outdoor activities. Full and half-day programs are offered.
For child care, call 209-258-7274. Licensed care for infants is
also available. For infant care, call 209-258-8783.
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During the winter, Kirkwood Ski
Resort also offers Dog Sled Rides. Please call 775-266-4720
for information and reservations..
After the snow season, come back and enjoy a Kirkwood Ski Resort
summer!
Visit the RECREATION menu
tab for information about other Kirkwood Ski Resort activities:
Bike Riding, Day Care, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Kids Camps, Mountain
Biking, Rock Climbing, Tennis.
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COOL
FACTS
| SKIING |
LIFTS |
12 |
RUNS |
68 |
ACRES |
2300 |
VERTICAL
DROP |
2000 |
SUMMIT
EL |
9800 |
BASE
EL |
7800 |
LONGEST
RUN |
2.5
mi |
| AVG
SNOWFALL |
550" |
MACHINE-MADE
SNOWFALL |
YES |
TERRAIN |
|
%
BEGINNER |
15% |
%
INTERMEDIATE |
50% |
%
ADV / EXPERT |
35% |
| |
|
| SNOWBOARDING |
PERMITTED |
YES |
| OPEN
MOUNTAIN |
YES |
RESTRICTED |
NO |
| SNOWPARKS
& TERRAIN PARKS |
YES |
| |
|
| CROSS-COUNTRY |
ACRES |
4000 |
| TRAILS |
3
sys |
KM
OF TRAILS |
80 |
| LONGEST
TRAIL |
41 |
KM
GROOMED |
80 |
| SKATING
LANE |
YES |
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 Main
Mountain Trail Map, Kirkwood Ski Resort
 Cross-Country
Trail Map
Hours
Once the lifts are running, Kirkwood
is open for downhill and cross-country skiing daily between
9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Ticket
Sales
For downhill and cross-country skiing,
tickets go on sale daily at 8:00 a.m. Half-day tickets go on
sale at 12:30 p.m.
Pricing
Kirkwood Ski Resort provides a wide
variety of ticket programs and options to fit your vacation
plans. There is sure to be a ticket option just right for you.
Skier Development
Information & Pricing
 209-258-7245
Cross Country Center
209-258-7248
24-hour Snow Phone
209-258-3000
877-547-5966
Equipment Rental
Ski Shuttle System
Kirkwood operates a daily $3 round-trip
shuttle service from most major South Lake Tahoe lodging properties
to the mountain. Advanced reservations are required.
Reservations
209-258-6000
Physical
Address
Kirkwood Ski & Summer Resort
SR 88 between Silver Lake and Caples Lake
P.O. Box 1
Kirkwood, CA 95646
Main Number
209-258-6000
Skier Development
Information & Pricing
209-258-7245
Cross-Country Center
209-258-7248
Directions
By Plane:
Frequent commercial service by most
major and regional carriers to
Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
All-Weather Highway
Access:
 From
Reno to South Lake Tahoe
U.S. HWY 395 south to U.S. HWY 50 west
58 miles, 1.25 hours
From
South Lake Tahoe
Take SR 89 south to SR 88 west
35 miles, .75 hours
From
San Francisco
I-80 east, SR 205 east, I-5 north, SR 4 east, SR 99 north, SR
88 east
185 miles, 3.25 hours
From
Sacramento
SR 16 east, SR 49 south, SR 88 east through Jackson
85 miles, 1.5 hours to Kirkwood Ski Resort
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