Current Weather:
Sunny
weather 37°

Base Depth:
124-174"

24hr Snowfall:
0

Surface:
Powder

Kirkwood

1501 Kirkwood Meadows Drive, Kirkwood, 95646
Phone: 209-258-6000 Snow Report: 877-547-5966 (snow report)
Kirkwood Website

by Ann Marie Brown

At Kirkwood Ski Resort, the operative word is "snow," and it’s Tahoe’s deepest and driest. For most of the last decade, the resort has had the deepest snowpack of any ski area not just at Lake Tahoe, but anywhere in North America. Average annual snowfall is always more than 500 inches—some years more than 700 inches--and this is quality stuff, typically the driest snow in the entire Sierra Nevada. If Heavenly Ski Resort received a foot of snow overnight, Kirkwood probably got two or three.

Thus far this mountain has largely remained a secret powder stash for locals. Lift lines are nonexistent, even on weekends. Besides world-class snow, Kirkwood’s offerings include a host of snow-related activities like dog sled tours, evening snow cat tours, grooming cat rides, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at the Kirkwood Cross-Country Center.

The resort is in the midst of a 20-year expansion that will add eight more lifts and 800 dwelling units, restaurants, retail shops, and an ice-skating rink. Someday, sleepy little Kirkwood will be a destination resort with its own shopping and nightlife. Currently, ski-in/ski-out lodgings are available, but little else. If you require après-ski action, you’ll want to park yourself in South Lake Tahoe, about 45 minutes away. A shuttle bus runs to and from the resort a few times daily, so you don’t have to drive if you choose not to. The shuttle stops at all major casinos and hotels in South Lake Tahoe.

Kirkwood’s devout fans don’t notice its lack of amenities; this is the place where they come to ski, not to shop. Its alpine slopes feature steep chutes, big volcanic cliffs, sharp cornices, and five powder-filled open bowls. Each bowl has the expert runs at the top; these funnel into wider intermediate trails lower on the mountain.
Fourteen lifts serve nearly 70 runs, which are carved over 2,300 acres of skiable terrain. The longest vertical drop is a respectable 2,000 feet; the longest run is 2.5 miles. Kirkwood's base elevation is 7,800 feet, which is higher than all other Tahoe-area resorts except Mount Rose. Even at the bottom of the mountain, snow depths are generally more than 20 feet. The resort’s highest elevation is 9,800 feet.

For those who prefer fresh tracks, Kirkwood also has some of the best backcountry skiing—if you like extreme steeps--anywhere in the Tahoe basin. When the backcountry access gates are open, skiers can find great lines heading out of Kirkwood in all directions, and the mountain vistas are sublime. More than 1,000 acres are reachable by climbing or hiking over remote terrain that has a true wilderness feel. The resort capitalizes on this asset with Expedition Kirkwood, a school that teaches backcountry skills, including avalanche awareness and survival techniques. A special area called Beacon Basin is reserved as an avalanche transceiver training area.

Beginning skiers don't get left behind. Kirkwood's Timber Creek has been rated as one of the top learning areas in the country. This gentle, green-circle terrain is in a separate area of the mountain with its own lodge and three lifts. The Mighty Mountain Children's School teaches kids ages 4-12 how to ski and ages 5-12 how to snowboard.

Tricksters have plenty of cheer about at Kirkwood, too. The resort has three terrain parks, including a 350-foot-long superpipe with 18-foot walls.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Current Weather:
Sunny
weather 37°

Forecast:
Mostly Cloudy
weather 39°

SKI CONDITIONS

Latest Report: 20100311T04:50:00
24hr Snowfall:
0		 Last Snowfall:
Mar 10 - 2 4"		 Surface:
Powder
Base Depth:
124-174"		 Trails Open:
72		 Total Trails:
72
Percent Trails Open:
100%		 Lifts Open:
icon 11		 Total Lifts:
icon 12
Terrain Type:
Beginner:
N/A		 Intermediate:
N/A		 Advanced:
N/A		 Expert:
N/A
Elevation:
weather Peak Elevation:
9800 ft 2987 m Vertical:
2000 ft 609 m Base Elevation:
7800 ft 2377 m		 Total Acres:
2300 Total Miles:
60
Longest Run:
Thunder Saddle
2 5 miles		 Easiest Run:
Funny Bunny		 Steepest Run:
Chamoix
Best Bumps:
Olympic		 Best Trail Name:
Cold Shoulder		  
 

KIRKWOOD FROM A LOCAL'S PERSPECTIVE

Submitted by Wally Johnson on January 31, 2010.

Kirkwood is goin’ off!!! If you have the opportunity to go right now, do it. When the conditions are what they are now, soft winter powder on the whole mountain, with a big base of snow, Kirkwood Mountain resort is one of the best in the Lake Tahoe area. It also can have the biggest base, since storms seem to also hit and sit on Kirkwood’s striking peaks and valley.
When you drive into Kirkwood valley from Hwy. 88, you’ll first find the Timber Creek base area…terrain mainly for beginners and intermediates. Chair 7 from this base, will also take you to Chairs 6 and 5, where the main Mountain Village and Plaza are located.
Chair 5 has mostly intermediate runs and trails: however...(for more visit laketahoehouses.wordpress.com

Kirkwood is goin’ off!!! If you have the opportunity to go right now, do it. When the conditions are what they are now, soft winter powder on the whole mountain, with a big base of snow, Kirkwood Mountain resort is one of the best in the Lake Tahoe area. It also can have the biggest base, since storms seem to also hit and sit on Kirkwood’s striking peaks and valley.
When you drive into Kirkwood valley from Hwy. 88, you’ll first find the Timber Creek base area…terrain mainly for beginners and intermediates. Chair 7 from this base, will also take you to Chairs 6 and 5, where the main Mountain Village and Plaza are located.
Chair 5 has mostly intermediate runs and trails: however...(for more visit laketahoehouses.wordpress.com)

Focused on happy families, not just real estate. I’ll help you find your jewel in the pines.
Wally Johnson
CA Buyers Specialist
CA License # 01848595
Deb Howard & CO
530-277-5687 Cell
530-542-2912 Office
530-542-8657 Fax
realtordeb.com

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Air Travel

Kirkwood and Lake Tahoe are conveniently located to four major international airports...Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) is the closest, followed by Sacramento International (SMF), Oakland International (OAK) and San Francisco International (SFO).  Follow the driving directions below to get to Kirkwood from any of the four...

Driving Directions

From Reno/Tahoe International Airport:

U.S. 395 South to State Route 88 West
Exit the Airport on E. Plumb Ln. (go 0.2 mi.) to US Hwy 395 South (go 7.5 mi.)
Take exit 57B to remain on US 395 (go 35.2 mi.)
Turn right onto Hwy 88 (go 34 mi.)
Turn left onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive. (approx. 90 min.)

From S. Lake Tahoe: 

US 50 West to Hwy 89 South to Hwy 88 West
Take US 50 (Lake Tahoe Blvd.) West to "the Y" intersection where US 50 meets Hwy 89.
Turn left at the Y onto Emerald Bay Rd. (the combined road US 50 West / Hwy 89 South) (go 4.9 mi.) to Meyers.
Turn left to continue on Hwy 89 South (go 11.1 mi.) Turn Right on Hwy 88 West (go 14.3 mi.)
Turn Left onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive. (approx. 35 min.)

From N. Lake Tahoe via the East Shore: 

Route 28 E to Hwy 50 W to Route 89 South to 88 West
Take NV Route 28 East/South ( go 13 mi. from Incline Village).
Turn Right onto US 50 West (go 17.4 mi.) to "the Y" intersection where US 50 meets Hwy 89.
Turn left at the Y onto Emerald Bay Rd. (the combined road US 50 West / Hwy 89 South) (go 4.9 mi.) to Meyers.
Turn left to continue on Hwy 89 South (go 11.1 mi.)
Turn Right on Hwy 88 West (go 14.3 mi.)
Turn Left onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive. (approx. 60 min.)

From the Bay Area: 

Via Hwy 88 - If the Carson Spur on Hwy 88 is Open:
Interstate 580 East to Interstate 205 to Interstate 5 North to Route 4 East to Route 99 North to Route 88 East
Connect with Interstate 580 East from your area (about 44 miles from the Bay Bridge) to Interstate 205 East (go 13.5 mi.) to Interstate 5 North (go 13.3 mi.)
Exit Downtown Stockton Hwy 4 East (go 3.4 mi.) to Hwy 99 North (go 1.8 mi.)
Exit CA Hwy 88 toward Jackson (go 97.4 mi.) - (Be sure follow signs to Stay on Hwy 88 after Clements and in downtown Jackson)
Turn Right onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive. (approx. 3.25 hrs.)

Via Hwy 50 (if Hwy 88 is closed): 

Interstate 80 East to Hwy 50 East to Hwy 89 South to Hwy 88 West
Take Interstate 80 from your area to Sacramento where I-80 becomes US 50 East (go 93 mi. on US 50) Turn Right on CA Hwy 89 South (go 11.1 mi.)
Turn Right on Hwy 88 West (go 14.3 mi.)
Turn Left onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive. (approx. 3.5 hrs. from the Bay Bridge)