Kirkwood Mountain Resort
South Tahoe's snowiest resort, beloved by locals for steep chutes, chair-served bowls, and an off-the-grid mountain feel.
Key Stats
Vertical Drop
610m (2,001ft)
The height difference between the top and bottom of the mountain
Summit Elevation
2,987m (9,800ft)
How high the highest lift or peak reaches
Base Elevation
2,377m (7,799ft)
Height of the main base village — higher means cooler, drier snow
Annual Snowfall
1,524cm (600in)
Average annual natural snowfall — higher is better for powder days
Trails
86
Total number of marked runs on the trail map
Lifts
14
Total number of lifts including chairlifts, gondolas, and t-bars
Resort Size
2,301 acres
Total groomed and patrolled terrain
Terrain Breakdown
The percentage of marked trails in each difficulty level. A higher beginner percentage means more terrain suitable for novices and families; a higher advanced percentage means more challenge for experts.
Beginner
15%
Intermediate
50%
Advanced
35%
Best For
Location
Kirkwood sits in the Sierra Nevada south of Lake Tahoe, in a high-alpine basin ringed by granite ridges and bowls. Its position near the Sierra crest in eastern California gives it a cold, high-mountain setting that holds snow well into spring.
Getting there
Moderate to reach
Fly into Reno/Tahoe (RNO), about 1.5 hours from the resort by road.
- Reno/Tahoe (RNO)1.5 hoursDirections
- Sacramento (SMF)2.5 hoursDirections
- San Francisco (SFO)4 hoursDirections
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