Industry News
Report from Sunday, February 25, 2024
Lake Tahoe has some of the best ski resorts in the United States and is famous for providing the world’s best powder and snow conditions. There are plenty of big-time resorts surrounding Lake Tahoe that are bucket list material for any skier or rider. Those ski resorts may get more press and notoriety, however, there are ski resorts in the Tahoe area that are absolute gems if you have the chance to visit.
Mount Rose-Ski Tahoe is located in Nevada and has a base elevation of 8,260 feet, the highest in the Tahoe Basin. It is a resort that should be on any skier’s bucket list. The Sierra Nevada Mountains easily provide the terrain and snow conditions that every skier or rider would be looking for when choosing a mountain to visit. It is less than 25 minutes from Reno International Airport and is the closest Tahoe ski resort to the city of Reno. Mount Rose offers a wide variety of trails and terrain, which will ensure every skier or rider of any skill level will enjoy.
Quick Facts and History:Â
- Founded: 1964
- Base Elevation: 8,260′
- Summit Elevation: 9,700′
- Total Trails:Â 70+
- Skiable Acres: 1,200
- Lodges: 2
- Lifts:Â 7
- Terrain Parks: 2
- Beginner Trails: 20%
- Intermediate Trails: 30%
- Advanced Trails: 50%
Even though Mount Rose has 50% of its terrain classified for intermediate and advanced skiers or riders, it does not mean that first-time or beginner skiers should avoid visiting the mountain. The resort has beginner terrain ideal for those skiers and riders looking to learn or hone their skills in a safe and friendly environment. The beginner areas are located on the right side of the mountain as you look up and can be accessed off of the Galena lift. A fun and exciting lazy green run at Mount Rose is Around the World and can be accessed off the Lakeview lift directly in front of the Main Lodge. It is a great trail for any level of skier or snowboarder that is wide enough to allow a lot of room to maneuver in.
The intermediate and advanced trails and terrain at Mount Rose provide challenging steeps, chutes, bowls, and glades, which are so much fun to hit. If you are a skier or rider searching for speed and steep verticals, then the world-renowned Chutes are the place to go. It is expert terrain only and is located on the left as you look up the mountain. It can be accessed off of the Northwest Express and Zephyr lifts. They are steep and narrow and provide some of the most challenging terrain at Mount Rose.
Glade skiing at Mount Rose is amazing, and there is a ton of it to check out, with glades spread across the whole mountain. Every trail on the mountain seems to have access to the glades regardless of the skill level the trail is marked. Having the option to hit the glades off of almost any trail makes Mount Rose very appealing to any skier and snowboarder. Most glades at Mount Rose can be comfortably handled by intermediate skiers, which makes green trails a lot more fun for intermediate to advanced skiers who may be skiing in a group with beginners. Some caution should be considered because some glades can be deceiving and quickly go from being some fun turns in the trees to switching to very narrow, steep, and rocky terrain.
Mount Rose consists of primarily expert and intermediate-level runs and can be accessed off of the Northwest Express lift, which is located on the left side of the mountain as you are looking at it. The Northwest lift will take you to the top of the Bowl and gives access to wide-open terrain and also glade skiing. Guests can also access the bowl by taking the Chutter lift, which brings skiers out at the bottom.
There is a great vibe at Mount Rose that so many ski resorts today have lost due to larger conglomerates acquiring independently owned-resorts, and the locals at Mount Rose have everything to do with that. They are dedicated, loyal, and love to talk to, help, and show around first-time guests. It is a genuine love for their hometown mountain, and the locals do it in an honest, friendly, and caring way. They truly care about Mount Rose and want everyone who visits the mountain to feel welcome and have the best experience they can while visiting.
Mount Rose is not as big as some of the other ski resorts located in the Tahoe area but offers a wide variety of trails to hit. It can be a little overwhelming when someone goes to a ski resort they have never been to before and is searching for the best trails to check out that suit their skill level. The locals at Mount Rose will take the time to be your tour guide and ensure you are headed in the right direction. I have never skied Mount Rose, and I met multiple locals and staff members at the mountain who were very kind, friendly, and helpful during my visit.
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Mount Rose is special and unique compared to other ski resorts throughout the country because of its location in a city and an international airport. It is 25 minutes away from Reno and the airport and is easily accessible from the highway without having the hassle of driving down back country roads for an hour to get to the ski resort. This also gives guests the great option of staying in Reno and still being close enough to ski at Mount Rose with a short drive.
There are great advantages of staying in Reno, like having multiple lodging, dining, and apres skiing options that most resorts cannot compete with. There are great hotels, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife that makes Reno an easy choice for any skier. The Renaissance Hotel is in downtown Reno and has so many great amenities, restaurants, and activities to choose from, and they are all located within the hotel. They have a huge Bocce Ball area, spa, pool, hot tub, gym, and also home to one of the best restaurants in the city.
The Shore Restaurant is led by Executive Chef Sean Munshaw, whose vision is to create a menu that is driven by chef-inspired dishes that are focused on what he likes to eat himself. “My biggest inspiration has been Southeast Asian, Mexican, American Barbecue Flavors and brought together by utilizing classic French cooking techniques,” Munshaw said. Combining all those different flavors and cuisines creates dishes that have bold flavors but that are evenly balanced out as well. There are small plate options that can be shared on the menu, which gives guests more options and insight into what Chef Munshaw is creating.
Chef Munshaw ensures that the menu is seasonally driven and brings in the ingredients and products that reflect each season accordingly. Produce and fruit is what changes the most throughout the seasons and it is reflected on the menu at The Shore Restaurant. Although the menu changes with the seasons, staples such as the lamp lollipops, charred-grilled octopus, flat-iron steaks, and the burger at The Shore will remain on the menu throughout the year.
The Shore Restaurant focuses on making everything from scratch, is locally sourced, and creates the best experience for its guests. There are dishes on the menu that might be a little different from what guests are used to seeing on a menu when going out to eat. However, the Shore Restaurant is all about creating plates that express who the restaurant is and allowing people to taste flavors that are not as common but are balanced and focused. “First and foremost, we are a true chef-driven restaurant from the top down, and we are passionate, creative, disciplined, detailed, and we love what we are doing,” Munsaw told me. Reno’s culinary scene is growing and is attracting chefs from outside of the region, which makes a very contemporary and exciting atmosphere for anyone out there who is a foodie.
The number of good ski resorts throughout the world that are located within 25 minutes of a major city with access to an international airport could probably be counted on one hand. Mount Rose and Reno form that special bond that can attract skiers and tourists from all over the world to check out the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. Mount Rose is a hidden gem with its terrain, snow, and amazing base of locals, which makes the mountain a very special place.
Folding the city of Reno into the mix makes it an absolute destination spot that can boast having great hotels, a great culinary scene, and access to the arts and entertainment industries. It is hard to beat having access to a top-notch ski resort that is 25 minutes away from a city that is growing and the ease and comfort of having an international airport close by as well. If you are looking for a ski resort and city that may be flying a little under the radar for now, Mount Rose and Reno are two places that pair perfectly with each other.
Mt. Rose is a fantastic ski resort and should be on your list to check out if you have the opportunity to visit the Lake Tahoe region. The mountain has a wide variety of terrain options that will fit any skier or rider’s skill level. The team at Mt. Rose is knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate. They are true professionals! Mt. Rose has the vibe and feel of a small ski resort with the bonus of having some big-time terrain that is filled with chutes, glades, and lazy greens. The locals at Mt. Rose are truly a gem! They are unbelievably friendly, sincere, and great ambassadors of their hometown mountain. Mt. Rose is one of the resorts that everyone should visit and is one of Lake Tahoe’s best ski resorts!
For more information visit Mount Rose’s website and Visit Reno Tahoe’s website.Â
