Palisades Tahoe, CA, is Every Skier’s or Snowboarder’s Dream Mountain

Lake Tahoe is a world-renowned ski region that has unbelievable terrain, breathtaking views, and some of the best snow conditions in the United States. There are plenty of ski resorts around Lake Tahoe which have great ski conditions and terrain but, those resorts just do not have the aura and vibe that surrounds one specific ski resort at Tahoe. There is one ski resort located in the Tahoe region that has the mystique, vibe, and aura that surrounds it which makes it a worldwide destination spot. 

Palisades Tahoe is located in California and is a world-known ski resort that any skier or snowboarder would love to visit. There are expectations of what a skier or snowboarder is looking for in a ski resort located in the Tahoe region. Palisades easily exceeds the standards of what someone would expect from a ski resort in the Sierra Nevada. It is less than an hour from the Reno International Airport and it offers a huge variety of trails and offers some of the most challenging and fun terrain in the United States.

Quick Facts and History: 

• Founded: 1949 (Formerly known as Squaw Valley) 
• Peak Elevation: 9,050′
• Base Elevation: 6,200′
• Total Trails: 170+
• Skiable Acres: 3,600
• Lodges: 3
• Lifts: 29
• Terrain Parks: 5
• Bowls: 16
• Beginner Trails: 25%
• Intermediate Trails: 45%
• Advanced Trails: 30%

Even though Palisades has over 3,600 acres of legendary terrain it does not mean that first-time or beginner skiers should shy away from visiting the mountain. The resort has a designated beginner-only area which is ideal for those skiers and riders looking to learn or hone their skills in a safe and friendly environment. The designated beginner area is located at the top of the Alpine Tram. It may be a little surprising to most beginners to be taking the tram to the top of the mountain, but rest assured, that there is a way down the mountain that is safe for all beginners. 

The intermediate and advanced trails and terrain at Palisades provide challenging steeps, chutes, bowls, and glades which are so much fun to hit! If you are a skier or rider who is searching for speed and steep verticals then The Slot is a great run to check out. It is a double diamond slope and is located off of the CII Ridge and can be accessed off of the Headwall Express Lift. There are plenty of bowls at Palisades that consist of expert-only level runs and are easily some of the most difficult terrain in the country.

I hit The Slot and after descending the slope a little bit, I ran into a little bit of difficulty that was partially another skier’s fault and also mine as well. I got into a situation where I had some trouble catching my breath and getting my legs under me to where I felt confident that I was not going to lose an edge. Perhaps it was the change in altitude, the jet lag, the time zone difference, or maybe it was just a sign for me to get to the gym and start working out! The Slot is steep and had some bumps on it, and I dropped into it pretty easily and was off to a good start when another skier lost their ski above me and I tried grabbing it for them before it slid down the slope.

That was the beginning of my demise as I got off-balanced trying to grab the ski and I slipped. I did not go down, but I got tangled up and had to pop out of my one binding to be able to get situated again. The slope is pretty steep at the top of The Slot and it was difficult for me to get back in. That is where I lost most of my breath and I began sucking up as much oxygen as possible. My legs were smoked from trying not to go down and also trying to get back into my binding on the steep terrain.

I cannot blame it on the conditions because the run was not icy, it was a bluebird day, and the slope had that soft-spring-snow feel to it. It was a very humbling experience, but it also made me think to myself if I should have even tried to help that other skier’s ski from going all the way down the mountain in the first place! Honestly, I would have helped that skier out again and I would also do it again for any other skier in the future. That is just what skiers do for each other on the mountain and that is what I would have wanted if the situation was reversed. I would not want to go down The Slot on one ski and I doubt any other skier does either!

I learned my lesson and as I was catching my breath I looked around the mountain and its vastness and how big it is. That is when I immediately knew why so many people are allured and hypnotized by what Palisades Tahoe is and why it has to be on any skier’s bucket list. The terrain, views, and atmosphere at Palisades are hard to explain to someone who has never been there before. It has over 170 trails and boasts 16 bowls at the resort which makes it almost impossible to hit every run or trail in just one day. Palisades is massive and the trail systems span across six mountain peaks that are accessed by 29 lifts which gives it an uphill capacity of 53,500 people per hour.

• Related Article: [VIDEO] Palisades Tahoe, CA, Remains Closed Today Due to Intense Snowfall and 190 MPH Winds

Palisades averages 400 inches of snow each year, but last year it received an astounding 723 inches of snow largely fueled by El Niño. This past weekend Lake Tahoe resorts were predicted to get anywhere from five to 12 feet of snow due to this early March snowstorm. It is not abnormal for Palisades to get a big storm in March which helps push its ski season to June. Last season Palisades saw the month of March get 191 inches of snow which is more than most East Coast resorts get in a whole year. That makes Palisades one of those resorts that attracts skiers and snowboarders from around the world to travel to.

The village at Palisades has everything that any guest is looking for when traveling to a ski resort. It has every amenity you could ask for with shops, restaurants, and bars all within walking distance from the slopes. It is what any skier or snowboarder expects from a West Coast ski resort and Palisades does not leave anyone disappointed. It has great après skiing with bars and live entertainment and terrain that is just spectacular. Palisades is a no-brainer for any serious skier or snowboarder to have on their list to visit.

My final thoughts on what makes Palisades Tahoe so appealing and draws so many visitors is its very long ski season, unbelievable snowpack, and great conditions. Palisades usually opens sometime in November and will run through May. This gives skiers and riders a big window of opportunity to check out Palisades anytime during the season. It also gives them the chance to visit the mountain when other ski resorts have not opened for the season or have already closed for the year. The snowpack and ski conditions are outstanding and are not easily duplicated. Palisades is blessed with being located in an area of the country that receives a ton of snow and Mother Nature keeps the temps cold enough that the snowpack is in great condition all season long.

It is easier to find so many reasons why someone should check out Palisades Tahoe than to find a reason not to visit. Yes, the prices of lift tickets are in the high range and there can be crowds at the resort. However, it is hard to complain when there are over 170 trails and so much diverse terrain to hit. There are also all the amenities, restaurants, bars, and top-notch après skiing. The mountain also handles the crowds very well and is spread out enough that the crowds are dispersed pretty evenly. The snowpack and conditions are hard to beat, the terrain is massive and wonderful, and the atmosphere is addicting. Palisades Tahoe is without a doubt a bucket list resort that should be checked off by any serious skier or snowboarder. 

For more information and trail maps visit Palisades’ website.