TRUCKEE CALIFORNIA SKI RESORTS
The Truckee area has a plethora of ski resorts, with six main ski areas nearby. Even the city of Truckee averages over 200 inches of snow annually, which makes it one of the snowiest cities in the US. The quaint town, with it’s happening restaurant and entertainment scene, makes a great base camp for visiting these superb Northern California ski resorts.
SKI RESORTS IN TRUCKEE & NORTH TAHOE
BOREAL MOUNTAIN
Just a 3 hour drive from San Francisco and 45 minutes from Reno, Boreal Mountain Resort is located along Interstate 80 with easy access from both Northern California and Nevada. Boreal is one of the first Lake Tahoe resorts to open each winter due to it’s snowmaking abilities. Though it is a smaller resort by major ski resort standards, with 34 trails across it’s 480 acres, it offers a variety of family friendly terrain and spectacular views of the Tahoe area. The resort averages 400 inches of snowfall per season.
Click here for the interactive Boreal Mountain trail map.
BOREAL MOUNTAIN STATS
| Vertical Drop: | 500 ft / 152 m |
| Base Elevation: | 7200 ft / 2195 m |
| Summit Elevation: | 7700 ft / 2347 m |
| Skiable Area: | 480 acres |
| Average Snowfall: | 400 in / 1016 cm |
| Total Trails: | 34 |
| Beginner: | 8 (24%) |
| Intermediate: | 11 (32%) |
| Advanced: | 15 (44%) |
| Expert: | 0 (0%) |
| Terrain Parks & Pipes: | 8 |
| Snow Cross: | No |
| Super Pipe: | Yes |
| Half Pipe: | Yes |
NORTHSTAR RESORT
Located just 15 minutes from Truckee, Northstar Resort is one of the most popular resorts in North Tahoe. The resort was recommended by Travel + Leisure as the “premier family destination”, and Northstar is continuously regarded as the mountain that makes guests from both near and far feel right at home. With 60% of Northstar 97 trails dedicated to intermediates, this resort is a great place for intermediate skiers to play and practice. For the advanced skiers and riders, the ski area also features 347 acres of gate-accessible advanced terrain.
Click here for the interactive Northstar trail map.
NORTHSTAR STATS
| Base Elevation: | 6,330 ft |
| Summit Elevation: | 8,610 ft |
| Total Acres of Skiable Terrain: | 3,170 |
| Vertical Rise: | 2,280 ft |
| Number of Trails: | 100 |
| Annual Snowfall: | 350 inches |
| Longest Run: | 1.4 miles |
| Terrain Parks: | 9 |
| Lifts: | 20 |
| Easiest: | 13% |
| Intermediate: | 60% |
| Advanced: | 27% |
SUGAR BOWL RESORT
Sugar Bowl is one of the oldest ski resorts in California, and has ties to Austrian ski culture and Hollywood. The resort was the first in California to have a chairlift, and also built the West’s first gondola.
Although it is smaller than some of the larger Tahoe area ski resorts, it offers terrain for those new to the sport as well as experts. Runs are spread across four peaks and 1500 acres, and served by 12 lifts. The incredible 500 inches of annual snowfall, and the fact that it is the closest ski resort to the Bay area, make it a popular choice in Northern California.
Click here for the interactive Sugar Bowl trail map.
SUGAR BOWL STATS
| Base Elevation: | 6,883 ft |
| Summit Elevation: | 8,383 ft |
| Total Acres of Skiable Terrain: | 1,650 |
| Vertical Rise: | 1,500 ft |
| Number of Trails: | 105 |
| Annual Snowfall: | 500 inches |
| Longest Run: | 3 miles |
| Lifts: | 12 |
| Easiest: | 15% |
| Intermediate: | 45% |
| Advanced: | 28% |
| Expert: | 12% |
Truckee & North Tahoe Skiing & Snowboarding FAQs
How much does it cost for ski rental in Truckee / North Lake Tahoe?
On average, the cost for a Performance Ski Package in Truckee, CA is $55 per day. Renting only the skis or a snowboard is less. Rates for Truckee ski rentals may vary for holiday weekends such as Presidents Day.
Get an exclusive 10% discount with Black Tie Ski Delivery when you book on TripOutside!
When can you ski in Truckee / North Lake Tahoe?
The ski season in Truckee starts in mid-November and continues up until the end of April. The best month to ski at Truckee’s ski resorts is typically in February when skiing conditions are good, and resorts get some serious fresh pow.
Which ski resort in Truckee/North Lake Tahoe is best for beginners?
Truckee CA skiing is great for beginners. There are many great beginner trails at all of the ski resorts near Truckee. These resorts have great amenities and a large amount of terrain for those new to skiing. Some of the top ski resorts in the Truckee area for beginners include:
| Resort | Beginner Acres | Beginner % |
| Squaw Valley | 1500 | 25% |
| Northstar California Resort | 412 | 13% |
| Mount Rose Ski Tahoe | 360 | 30% |
| Sugar Bowl | 248 | 15% |
| Boreal Mountain | 115 | 24% |
Is Lake Tahoe good for skiing?
Tucked in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range overlooking California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is home to 15 world-class ski resorts, with terrain for beginners through expert skiers and snowboarders. The highest summit at Lake Tahoe ski resorts is over 10,000 feet at Heavenly, with a 3500-foot vertical. The Tahoe ski resorts get up to 500 inches of snowfall annually. The biggest ski resort is Squaw Valley, with 6,000 acres of terrain and 245 runs.
How much does it cost to ski in Truckee / North Lake Tahoe?
The total daily cost to ski at the major resorts in Truckee / North Lake Tahoe, including ski rental, lift ticket, lunch and accommodation is as follows:
| Resort | Total Daily Cost | Ski Rental | Lift Ticket | Lunch | Accommodation |
| Squaw Valley | $330 | $45 | $159 | $15 | $111 |
| Northstar California Resort | $414 | $65 | $147 | $15 | $187 |
| Sugar Bowl | $253 | $45 | $118 | $17 | $73 |
HOW CAN I SAVE MONEY ON TRUCKEE SKI AND SNOWBOARD RENTALS?
Time is money, especially when you’re on vacation. Truckee Black Tie Skis offers the highest quality skis in the industry and delivers your gear right to your condo, hotel or home. They’ll even meet you slopeside for any adjustments or tuning. Book through TripOutside to receive an exclusive 10% discount on ski rental delivery.
Renting online in advance can save you money. Many outfitters offer online reservation rates that are better than walk-in rates. This helps the shops manage their inventory and plan in advance. It also guarantees the availability of equipment.
Here are some of the Ski Rental Discounts in Truckee that we can share with you.
You can get a 10% off discount from Black Tie Skis in Truckee, CA
Save 20% when booking 21 days in advance with Epic Mountain Rentals and an additional 20% off discount is applied if you’re an Epic Pass holder.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SKI RENTAL PACKAGES?
Demo (or premium) packages are for the advanced skier that wants a specific ski or snowboard rental to match their specific riding style or matching the skis to the terrain. These are high-end, high-performance skis and snowboards.
Performance packages are intended for intermediate to beginner levels, typically for groomed terrain and generally have a stiffer, more specialized flex pattern, and may be wider in the waist.
Sport packages are primarily for groomed runs and intended for more beginner level skiers or snowboarders.
**All packages include downhill skis or snowboard, bindings, boots and poles (ski).
