The 5 Best Tahoe Ski Resorts for Beginners

Situated on the border between California and Nevada, the Lake Tahoe Basin and surrounding Northern Sierra mountains offer some of the best skiing on the West Coast. Visitors flock to Tahoe to ski with frequently fair weather and sunny skies. For skiers and riders starting out, these five resorts are great options that offer awesome beginner ski experiences. When making this list, factors considered were: the amount and quality of beginner terrain, the cost of the resort, and the crowds at each resort.

#5: Homewood, California

Homewood rises up above beautiful Lake Tahoe. Homewood has two beginner areas, one at the South Base and one at the North Lodge. When ready to load the lift, both the Quail and Ellis chairs give access to beginner runs. With top-to-bottom beginner runs, Homewood offers 1,650 vertical feet of green trails! A smaller mountain, Homewood offers a great learning environment on uncrowded slopes.

#4: Diamond Peak, Nevada

Located in Incline Village, NV, Diamond Peak offers some of the best views of Lake Tahoe for skiers and riders. Affordable and uncrowded, Diamond Peak is a welcoming place for learning to ski or ride. The Lodgepole Quad and Schoolhouse lifts offer beginner-only terrain, perfect for making those first turns. When ready, the Red Fox lift services some beginner terrain as well as intermediate terrain, perfect for those making the next step. A community-owned resort, Diamond Peak doesn’t attract the same crowds as bigger resorts, meaning you’ll spend more time skiing and less time waiting in line.

#3: Northstar, California

Want a beginner-friendly mountain and the experience of a larger resort? Northstar is for you! A bigger mountain, Northstar has two gondolas and over ten lifts. Beginners can take the Big Springs gondola and then work their way up from the Big Easy Express to Arrow Express to Vista Express, all lifts that offer green trails back to the base. When ready to move up, Northstar has a wide range of beloved intermediate runs. Each lift has an intermediate trail accessible from it, meaning that intermediate riders can explore the whole mountain.

The priciest option on this list, adult lift tickets range from $135 to $242 when bought online in advance. After skiing, the Northstar village offers options for slopeside dining and lodging. Meaning you don’t need to drive to get your apres started.

#2: Donner Ski Ranch, California

Donner Ski Ranch is a family-friendly gem of a resort and is one of the least crowded resorts in all of Tahoe. Beginner friendly, four out of the six lifts at Donner Ski Ranch have a green trail down. Beginner can start on the shorter Chair #6, and then take Chair #1 over to the backside to ski Chair #3. All with green runs suited for beginners! Adult lift ticket prices range from $59 midweek to $99 on weekends, making Donner Ski Ranch one of the few ski resorts never charging over $100 for a standard lift ticket. With a laid back vibe, Donner Ski Ranch is a perfect spot to learn how to ski or ride.

#1 Boreal Mountain, California

Located right off Highway 80 on Donner Summit, Boreal is one of the most accessible resorts in the Tahoe region. With two beginner-designated lifts, California Cruiser, and Castle Peak Quad, Boreal’s beginner area is made to learn to ski or ride. In addition, the Sunset Blvd trail is a green beginner run that starts at the top of the mountain and works its way back to the base. This means beginners can ride the lift to the summit of Boreal and comfortably follow a green trail down.

Boreal boasts the cheapest lift ticket in the Tahoe region with its $25 “Play Forever Fridays.” One Friday a month from December to April, Boreal lowers its lift ticket price to just $25. On a normal day, adult lift ticket prices range from $79 to $129. Open from 9 am to 9 pm, Boreal is the only resort in Tahoe with night skiing. This means skiers get more time on the hill for their money at Boreal.