Located above Incline Village, Nevada, Diamond Peak Ski Resort offers breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and a unique skiing experience. As a community-owned resort, it prides itself on providing a welcoming and uncrowded environment for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. With easy access from the parking lot to the slopes, a dedicated learning area for children, and affordable prices, Diamond Peak stands out as Tahoe’s best value, year after year.
Diamond Peak Ski Resort overlooking Lake Tahoe.
A Brief History
The story of Diamond Peak began in 1966 when two Incline Village residents, Art Wood and Harold Tiller, envisioned a year-round resort community. Their dream included Ski Incline, a ski resort located directly within the Incline Village Community.
Construction on the mountain started in August 1966. Oklahoman entrepreneur Art Wood and his associate Harold Tiller envisioned the idea for the resort which was then known as "Ski Incline", and was developed to reality in 1966 by Luggi Foeger, an Austrian ski resort consultant whom Wood hired to design and build the resort.
In 1987, Ski Resort Manager Jurgen Wetzstein led the development of the upper mountain and the addition of the mile-long Crystal Quad chairlift to reach the top of the peak. This expansion doubled the resort’s skiable acreage and added more advanced terrain.
Read also: Performance Analysis: Black Diamond Ski Pants
In 2003, Diamond Peak replaced its old Crystal Quad with the high-speed detachable Crystal Express quad to the top of the mountain.
Because its skiing terrain changed so dramatically with the addition of mostly advanced runs on the upper mountain, the resort's name was changed to "Diamond Peak at Ski Incline," alluding to the industry's "black diamond" symbol for advanced ski terrain. As time passed, the name "Diamond Peak" stuck and "Ski Incline" was retired to the history books.
During the 2025-26 ski season the resort will celebrate its 60th season of operations - our "Diamond" anniversary - with a winter full of fun events and nostalgic remembrances from the early days of Ski Incline to the present day.
Diamond Peak Trail Map.
Terrain and Features
With 655 acres spread out over 1,840 vertical feet (561 m) of incredible terrain, Diamond Peak offers something for everyone.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Diamond Peak Lessons
Its summit elevation is 8,540 feet (2,603 m) above sea level, yielding a vertical drop of 1,840 feet (561 m), sixth among the ski areas surrounding Lake Tahoe. Its season ranges from December to April, and its longest run is 2.5 miles (4.0 km).
Diamond Peak now offers backcountry skiers and snowboarders access to the backcountry surrounding the resort via a dedicated backcountry access gate located near the top of the Crystal Express Chairlift.
Terrain park skiers and riders, as well as those new to terrain park features, will enjoy the Village Terrain Park (VTP) experience at Diamond Peak. Diamond Peak’s terrain park crew will be offering a great selection of jumps, jibs, rails and boxes for all ability levels.
Key Features:
- Vertical Drop: 1,840 feet (561 m)
- Longest Run: 2.5 miles (4.0 km)
- Skiable Area: 655 acres
Snowmaking Capabilities
Diamond Peak was the first resort on the West Coast to invest in a snowmaking system.
With the installation of snowmaking technology, Ski Incline became the first resort in the West to employ this insurance policy against Mother Nature's stinginess. Time and again, during drought and late-snow years, these systems have enabled the resort to create a top-quality ski experience.
Read also: Skiing, Mentorship, and Community
In 2002, it again expanded and improved the snowmaking system to permit snowmaking capabilities on 75 percent of developed terrain. In the summer of 2009, Diamond Peak rebuilt its snowmaking system to allow for more efficient snow production.
Lessons and Programs
Take a lesson with our professional instructors to learn or improve your skiing or snowboarding skills. Diamond Peak offers great terrain for all levels of skiers and riders, whether this is your first day on the slopes, or you’re looking to find powder stashes in the trees.
- Summit Seekers Ski Clinics: Designed for low-intermediate to advanced skiers, this program offers the perfect blend...
- Progression Clinics: Feature Diamond Peak’s most experienced instructors and focus on...
Amenities and Services
Diamond Peak is committed to the safety of its guests, staff, neighbors, and environment.
- Getting Here: Detailed driving directions and a map can be found on the Getting Here page.
- Free Shuttle: We offer a free shuttle that services the Incline Village area, picking up once on weekday mornings, and two times during peak periods and on weekends. Our shuttle also picks up daily at the Hyatt.
- Transportation: Transportation to Incline Village from the Reno Airport is available through the North Lake Tahoe Express.
- Parking: Most of our parking is free but we do offer paid premium slope-side parking during busy weekends and peak periods, while supplies last.
Dining: Hours vary. daily Dec. Holidays and weekends can be busy. Please arrive two hours early if you are coming during these peak periods. to pick up your tickets ahead of time.
Diamond Peak does not accept cash. If you don’t want to carry your credit card on the slopes you can purchase gift cards online, at the ticket windows, or load funds onto your season pass or lift ticket.
Tips for Visitors
- Purchase in Advance: We strongly encourage that all skiers purchase their lift tickets*, lessons, equipment rentals, and season passes online through our e-commerce store. Lessons must be purchased in advance. * IVGID lift tickets are currently not available online.
- Upgrade Tickets: Yes, you can upgrade your beginner lift ticket to an all-mountain ticket anytime during your ski day at the ticket windows. You may upgrade your single-day ticket or flex pass to a season pass, but you must do so at the ticket windows on the same day of your ticket.
- Private Lessons: Fill out the Private Lesson Request form to request a private lesson. It is recommended that you fill out your request at least 72 hours in advance. It could take up to 48 hours for our agents to respond.
- Group Lessons: Group lessons should be booked online at least two days in advance.
- Pass Office: The Pass Office is open with limited hours during the fall. Reach out if you need assistance purchasing online or have questions about your pass.
Off-Season Activities
Diamond Peak Ski Resort is currently closed during the off-season, with no services or facilities available; however, the public is welcome to enjoy a hike or mountain bike ride to Snowflake Lodge via the fire road from the Base Area.
Incline Village has a movie theater, bowling alley, recreation center with a swimming pool and European sauna, and many stores for shopping. There are also several restaurants and bars with kid-friendly areas and games.