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Copyright 2023 Visit Truckee-Tahoe
As one of the largest ski resorts in the US and host of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games, Palisades Tahoe has established itself as one of the premier ski areas in North America and an internationally renowned winter destination. While the name has changed, Palisades Tahoe's world-class terrain continues to attract skiers and riders from across the country and the world. Learn about the new name.
The resort spans two mountains connected by the Base to Base Gondola which provides convenient access to Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows. Palisades Tahoe boasts 6,000 skiable acres with 42 lifts and more than 270 runs, including 65% beginner and intermediate terrain. Winter storms deliver an average of 400 inches of snowfall per season. Along with deep snow, Palisades Tahoe typically gets 300 sunny California days and boasts the longest ski and snowboard season in Truckee-Tahoe, typically staying open into early summer, sometimes as late as July 4th!
For operations status, bookmark these pages:
Not wanting to keep constant tabs on the website? Try these options.
Reserve N Ski for the 2024/25 winter season, a reservations-based parking plan for weekends and holiday periods. View details, read FAQs, and book reservations.
Key elements of the program include:
Advance Paid Parking: Reserve advance paid parking starting at $30/day. Weekend/holiday dates for the season are available for purchase at www.parkpalisadestahoe.com/parkingbasics
Free Reserved Parking: FREE parking reservations will be available each Tuesday at 12pm and 7pm for the following weekend.
The program looks to provide an improved on-mountain experience by reducing traffic congestion. The potential benefits of the program include a reduction in traffic, improved traffic flow, a better guest and employee experience, less impact on the community, and a reduction in carbon footprint.
Wanting to get dropped off at the front door of Palisades Tahoe for FREE?
Learn how to get to Palisades Tahoe for FREE with the Weekend Park & Ride Program!
Download the Palisades Tahoe App and follow Palisades Tahoe Mountain Operations on Twitter for live updates on parking locations and terrain status.
Its bustling European-style Village offers shopping, restaurants, and bars including Plump Jack Cafe, Tremigo Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, and Uncorked Wine Bar. After a day on the slopes, The Village’s inviting après scene is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy food and drinks with friends. Palisades Tahoe is located off of Hwy 89, south of Truckee.
Located south of Truckee, off of Hwy. 267 and close to the Truckee Tahoe Airport and Lake Tahoe, Northstar California Resort offers 3170 skiable acres with gorgeous views of Lake Tahoe and the Martis Valley. This includes 600+ acres of gladed tree skiing and 100 trails with 13% beginner terrain and 60% intermediate terrain. On average, Northstar California Resort receives 350 inches of annual snowfall.
Northstar is implementing a reservations-based parking system for the 2024/25 winter season which includes a combination of free and paid parking reservations options.
Key elements of the program include:
Want to skip the parking and get dropped off at Northstar California for FREE?
Learn how to get to Northstar California for FREE with the Weekend Park & Ride Program!
There’s plenty to do off the mountain at The Village at Northstar, a destination for mountain dining and shopping. You’ll find a variety of dining options from tasty pies at Rubicon Pizza Company to perfect pairings at Petra Restaurant and Wine Bar to fine dining at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. Along with dining, The Village has shops like Patagonia, The North Face, and True North, a movie theater, The Village Cinemas, and an ice rink with warming fire pits.
During the summer, Northstar California Resort transforms into a paradise for mountain biking, hiking, and golf. The Northstar Bike Park will get your heart racing with technical descents and big air but if that’s not quite your speed, there are scenic chairlift rides with access to hiking trails and a challenging, par-72 course.
Up on Donner Summit, along the Sierra Crest, Sugar Bowl Resort gets the most snow of all Truckee ski resorts, 500 inches annual snowfall on average. From Truckee, it’s a 20 minute drive west on Old Highway 40, a windy mountain road with breathtaking views of Donner Lake. During storm days, use Interstate 80 as an alternate route.
Sugar Bowl Resort has 1650 skiable acres, including 60% beginner and intermediate terrain. It allows uphill travel with an uphill pass and maintains an open boundary for experienced backcountry skiers and snowboarders to access to backcountry terrain in the Tahoe National Forest.
Along with great terrain, Sugar Bowl’s slopes are steeped in history. It’s home to the first chair lift in California, which was constructed and completed in time for the resort opening on December 15, 1939, and the first ski gondola on the west coast!
Mountain Collective passholders can now ski and ride at Sugar Bowl Resort, one of 25 world-class destinations in the collective along with Alta Ski Area, Big Sky Resort, Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Chamonix (France), Lake Louise (Canada), and Niseko United (Japan), and more.
Peak Pledge is Sugar Bowl's commitment to community and the natural environment. As stewards of 800 acres of forestland, they're tackling energy & emissions, forest health, waste reduction, and participating in a national Climate Challenge to inventory emissions and set reduction goals. Learn more
A family favorite, Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Resort is known for it’s friendly slopes and approachable terrain. It’s dubbed “the best place to begin,” offering an affordable ski experience with lessons for kids as young as 3 years old. Here, you’ll find wide-open bowls, uncrowded slopes, gentle beginner terrain, and excellent grooming.
Conveniently located right off of Interstate 80, and just 10 miles from Truckee, Boreal Mountain California is an easy access ski area, especially for those driving in from Sacramento or the San Francisco Bay Area. Traveling in an electric vehicle? Boreal has free charging stations in the west end of their facility.
With almost 80% snowmaking coverage, Boreal is one of the earliest ski areas to open in Truckee-Tahoe each year. Six lifts and two magic carpets service 41 trails of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain, and eight terrain parks provide endless fun for skiers and riders of all abilities.
Skiing and riding under the stars? Heck yeah! Boreal offers the only night-skiing in Truckee-Tahoe under well-lit slopes that stay open until 9pm.
Learn about Play Forever, Boreal Mountain California's commitment to protect the environment and support our community. It includes their Tahoe Solar project which offsets 250 tons of carbon emissions annually and produces 65% of the energy used in their base area facilities.
Truckee and North Lake Tahoe are home to several world class nordic centers for skate and classic cross country skiing, including North America's largest cross-country resort! Learn more about cross country skiing and snowshoeing in Truckee-Tahoe.
Truckee-Tahoe offers endless backcountry skiing and riding, with terrain options ranging from beginner to expert. Legendary snow, easy access, and fun ski touring routes make it the perfect place to explore.
Specific skills, knowledge, and gear are required to manage the unique hazards of the backcountry. Go on a guided ski tour with local guides who understand Truckee-Tahoe's snowpack and terrain, and sign up for an avalanche education course to get the necessary training. Be sure to shop local in Truckee for skis, boards, gear and apparel for all your backcountry needs!
Microtransit for backcountry skiers and riders! This FREE backcountry shuttle will pick you up at your Truckee lodging and drop you off for your own tour at backcountry trailheads in Truckee and North Lake Tahoe from Mt. Rose to Jake's to Castle Peak.
Dates: TBD for 2024/2025 Season
North Shore High Sierra Shuttle: 530-550-5300
Get around Truckee using TART Connect, a FREE on-demand shuttle that runs seven days a week. The shuttle works like other ridesharing programs such as Uber and Lyft. Download the TART Connect APP on Android or Apple, order a ride, and get picked up in as little as 15 minutes. Pet-friendly and all shuttles are equipped with ski racks.
TART Connect serves Tahoe Donner downhill and cross country ski areas. TART Connect does not go to/from Palisades Tahoe, Northstar California, or Sugar Bowl Resort but can be used as a connection to a TART fixed route bus stop.
This interactive TART map can help you plan your ride to ski areas. See routes and schedule for buses that connect to Palisades Tahoe and Northstar California. Thank you for using Truckee's FREE public transportation which helps reduce vehicle congestion on our roads and highways. Plus, you won't have to worry about finding a parking spot or parking reservations!
TART's Winter Park and Ride is operating on weekends to Palisades Tahoe and Northstar California this winter. On weekends, you can take advantage of this FREE service and get dropped at the front door of your favorite resort! Park and ride at any of the locations below.
Dates: TBD
Palisades Tahoe Lot Locations: Truckee & Tahoe City
From Truckee: Located between the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District office and the KidZone Museum, at 11603 Donner Pass Rd.
From Tahoe City: Located at the Tahoe City Transit Center with additional overflow parking in the adjacent 64-Acres lot, at 165 West Lake Blvd. Tahoe City, CA 96145.
View and Download the Palisades Tahoe Schedule
Northstar California Lot location: Truckee
From Truckee: Located at the Lift Workspace parking lot next to Enterprise Rent a Car, located at 10266 Truckee Airport Rd.
View and Download the Northstar California Schedule
The Park and Ride program is designed to offer a hassle-free transportation solution, allowing guests to focus on enjoying their time on the slopes. By choosing the Park and Ride option, you can avoid making a parking reservation, cut down on fuel emissions, and save some money at the gas pump.
Mountain safety is a partnership, so Ski California is putting safety in your hands this winter. Find everything you need to stay safe while skiing and riding -- from what to do before skiing or riding to how to load and ride lifts, how to understand trail signage and navigate potential hazards, and deep snow and avalanche awareness. Read up at safety.skicalifornia.org and test your knowledge.
Along with North Lake Tahoe-Truckee ski resorts, there are several ski areas near the south shores of Lake Tahoe that can be accessed as a day trip from Truckee.
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Copyright 2023 Visit Truckee-Tahoe