The Lake Tahoe ski season is just about to kick off, and Northstar California Resort is welcoming back friends and family to their favorite winter traditions starting with Opening Day on Saturday, Dec.
Earlier in November, a parade of storms dumped several feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada, but recent warmer temperatures have forced many resorts to delay their opening dates with a lack of snow coverage.
At Northstar, the team has been working around the clock, taking advantage of every weather window to make snow and get ready to open this season.
“While it’s taken us a little more time to get things started this season, we couldn't be more excited to welcome guests back to snow and kick off another magical winter season at Northstar,” said Tara Schoedinger, Vice President and General Manager of Northstar.
Northstar California is projected to open sometime in December, depending on weather conditions.
Read also: Winter Season at Stowe
Kirkwood Mountain Resort Set to Open
Kirkwood Mountain Resort is set to bring its big mountain adventure, no-frills-here-for-the-skiing vibe back starting this Friday, Dec. 5.
“Opening Day is one of those moments that truly highlights what makes Kirkwood so special,” said Ricky Newberry, Vice President & General Manager of Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
With deep freeride roots and a tight-knit community, Kirkwood delivers an authentic, no-frills ski and ride experience where the focus is always on the mountain. Skiers and riders flock here for the exceptional snow, reliable operations, and terrain that invites exploration at every turn. For those who value adventure over luxury and quiet over the hustle of Tahoe or the Bay, Kirkwood is a hidden gem that keeps skiers and riders returning year after year. With uncrowded slopes and minimal lift lines, every day offers the chance to lap the chairs from bell to bell. Simple, straightforward, and endlessly fun-this is Kirkwood at its best.
Heavenly Celebrates 70th Anniversary
Rounding things out for resorts on the Epic Pass in Lake Tahoe, Heavenly opened for skiing and riding on Nov.
This season, Heavenly is dialing the vibes way up for its 70th anniversary. With panoramic views everywhere you turn, and après opportunities galore both on the mountain and in South Lake Tahoe, round up your crew because every day is a chance to make your ski trip dreams a reality. Kick things off with Heavenly’s 70th Anniversary party on Dec. 20 and throw it back through the decades. From there, send it into the season in style with a lineup of buzzworthy events including, Toyota Air and Après, Brews and Views, Pond Skim, Gunbarrel 25, and live music and DJ sets featuring Foster the People, Vandelux, Dombresky, SkiiTour, and more this season.
Read also: Park City Mountain Resort Opening Day
Epic Pass Details
Dec. 4 is the last chance to lock in your Epic Pass before they go off sale for this season. Epic Pass unlocks access to Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe, plus some of the best mountain resorts in the world like Whistler Blackcomb, Vail Mountain, Breckenridge and more. With a variety of season-long and 1-7 Day Pass options available, Epic Pass offers the best value on skiing and riding in Tahoe and beyond.
Epic Pass Holders also get the best benefits including 20% off on-mountain food and beverage, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more with Epic Mountain Rewards. Plus, with new Epic Friends Tickets, it's easier than ever for season-long Epic Pass Holders to share the joy of the mountains with 50% off lift tickets for friends and family. Plus, what they pay can be applied as credit toward a 2026-27 Epic Pass, turning this year's gift into next year's adventure.
Rally your crew to Tahoe this winter and make it Epic.
With the My Epic app, your phone is now your access to the slopes with Mobile Pass and Lift Ticket technology.
Starting this weekend, Kirkwood and Northstar will now be open daily for skiing and riding, joining Heavenly.
Read also: Flagstaff in November: What to Expect
Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts Opening Dates
Here's a list of when all the major ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area are opening for the 2024-2025 ski season (all dates are weather permitting):
| Resort | Projected Opening Date |
|---|---|
| Mt. Rose | TBD |
| Boreal | Projected opening day Nov. 21 |
| Heavenly | Projected opening day Nov. 24 |
| Northstar California | Projected opening day TBD |
| Soda Springs | Projected opening day Nov. 28 |
| Sugar Bowl | Projected opening day Nov. 28 |
| Palisades Tahoe | Projected opening day TBD |
| Sierra at Tahoe | Projected opening day Nov. 28 |
| Kirkwood | Projected opening day Dec. 5 |
| Tahoe Donner Downhill | Projected opening day Dec. 19 |
| Diamond Peak | Projected opening day Dec. 4 |
| Homewood | Projected opening day Dec. |