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Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
North Lake Tahoe
The
Lake Tahoe region may have the greatest concentration of large cross-country
ski areas in the U.S., with more than 800 km of groomed trails. We have
listed the bigger operations; local tourist offices can direct you to
smaller centers or non-commercial places to ski or snowshoe. Many of
the ones we list here also have full-moon tours and snowshoe rentals
and tours, so call for information.
The xc ski areas
in the Tahoe area include Royal Gorge, Northstar, Spooner Lake, Squaw
Creek, Tahoe Donner, and Tahoe Cross-Country. The North Lake Tahoe Resort
Association, (888-434-1262 or 530-583-3494) has more info about the
region. In 2005, the Tahoe region has been voted by TravelZoo (global
Internet company) as the number one ski 5 destination in North America.
The largest private
trail system in North America is in California at Royal Gorge
(530-426-3871; 800-500-3871; www.royalgorge.com) just off I-80, west
of Donner Summit at the Soda Springs exit. Royal Gorge has 9,172 acres
of terrain, and more than 330 km of trails (90 km groomed) with a skating
lane inside the tracks. They also make snow on some trails and use a
fleet of snowcats. Adult trail fees are the highest in North America
but the resort and scale are the grandest. There are discounts for midweek,
multiday tickets, and skiers 65 and older. Ages 12 and younger ski free.
Royal Gorge has four surface lifts to help skiers up the tougher inclines. It is a full-service ski area, with rental equipment, ski school, ten warming huts, four cafes and a full-time ski patrol. Trailside lodging is at Rainbow Lodge, an historic 1920s B&B. Book through the ski area. For a full page of info about Royal Gorge XC Ski Resort click here. CCSAA member
Tahoe Donner
XC (530-587-9484; www.tdxc.com) also is off I-80 at the Donner State
Park exit. For a full page of info click Tahoe
Donner. This area on association property of 6,000 acres has 115
km of trails, all double-tracked with wide skating lanes, and a day
lodge with cafe. Tahoe Donner has California's only lighted night cross-country
skiing, Wednesdays. Those younger than 12 and older than 69 ski free.
Cross-country gear, snowshoes, and pulk sleds are available for rental.
CCSAA member
Tahoe
Cross-Country Ski Area (530-583-5475; www.tahoexc.org), two miles
east of Tahoe City, is a non-profit ski foundation within a neighborhood
iwth great views of Lake Tahoe from the trails. For a full page of info
click Tahoe XC.It has 65 km of groomed
skating lanes and tracks, a day lodge, cafe, lessons, and rentals. Those
older than 69 and younger than 10 ski free; Dogs welcome. Snowshoes
and pulk sleds also are available for rent. CCSAA member
Northstar-at-Tahoe
Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Center (530-562-2475; www.northstarattahoe.com)
has 50 km of groomed and marked trails. Take the gondola or quad chairlift
to the xc trails. XC ski equipment rentals are available, as are snowshoe
rentals. All are near the day lodge and Alpine area slopes. There are
scenic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountain peaks. The alpine
ski area lift ticket is exchangeable for xc ski trails. Warming huts
and picnic tables along the trails. CCSAA member
Squaw Creek Cross-Country
Ski Center (530-583-6300) is a small area at the Resort at Squaw
Creek, which has rentals and lessons. Trails cover 18 km, are groomed
daily, and range from beginner to expert. The Resort is a top notch
facility and it has a ski lift to access the Squaw Valley Ski Area..
www.squawcreek.com
Spooner Lake Cross-Country (775-887-8844, recording; 775-749-5349, live voice; www.spoonerlake.com) on Hwy 28, about a half-mile north of Hwy 50, has more than 80 km of trails, nearly all of which are machine groomed, with one 19 km backcountry trail. For a full page of info click Spooner Lake XC. Lessons and xc ski gear, snowshoe and pulk sled rentals are available; you also can rent a backcountry cabin. Visit Spooner Lake from the north or south as it is on the east side (Nevada) of Lake Tahoe. CCSAA member
