Stanford Sierra Conference Center closes for the winter, but our sister property, the Stanford Alpine Chalet, is situated in the ideal location for winter recreation. Surrounded by magnificent scenery, Lake Tahoe boasts a number of exceptional ski resorts, featuring a range of different qualities.
The Stanford Alpine Chalet is the closest lodging to Alpine Meadows Ski Resort. Alpine offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and often has live music and après-ski events. With seven powder bowls, summit to base groomed trails, and breathtaking scenery, skiers have ranked Alpine Meadows as one of North America's top ski resorts. An average annual snowfall of 362 inches and acclaimed terrain for beginner, intermediate, and expert skiers, Alpine Meadows is a favorite of locals and visitors from afar.
Also in North Lake Tahoe are Squaw Valley USA and Northstar-at-Tahoe Ski Resort. One of the largest ski areas in the country, Squaw Valley USA is world famous for hosting the 1960s Winter Olympics. With 4,000 skiable acres, Squaw has one of the most expansive lift networks in America to ensure visitors spend their time skiing not waiting in line. Located just six miles from Truckee and six miles from Lake Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe is home to 92 trails spread across 3,000 skiable acres. The resort offers alpine and telemark skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and seven award winning terrain parks. Describing themselves as “friendly and happy”, Northstar creates an inviting and friendly atmosphere and simply wants to make your experience as enjoyable as possible.
South Lake Tahoe is home to Heavenly Mountain, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Kirkwood Ski Resorts. Heavenly overlooks the sapphire blue waters of Lake Tahoe and offers 5,000 skiable acres. Skiers and riders can choose wide open, perfectly groomed corduroy runs, steep chutes, terrain parks with varied and huge features, or some of the best tree skiing in North America. Sierra-at-Tahoe is known for being well protected from the wind, its tree skiing, and wonderful family programs. With an average of 480 inches of snowfall per year, Sierra has no shortage of fresh powder. TransWorld SNOWboarding ranked Sierra-at-Tahoe as a Top 10 Overall Resort and one of the Top 10 Best Parks and Pipes in the Nation. Kirkwood Mountain Resort has the highest base elevation of all Northern California ski resorts at almost 8,000 feet and receives an annual average of 529 inches of snowfall, the deepest in the area. With the plentiful snow, a 2,000 foot vertical drop plus plenty of steep chutes and open bowls, Kirkwood is a favorite among locals. Also with excellent beginner terrain and lodging at the base of the lifts, Kirkwood is quickly becoming a family destination resort.
Lake Tahoe offers countless world-renowned ski resorts perfect to play at while staying at the cozy Stanford Alpine Chalet at the base of Alpine Meadows Ski Resort. No matter which one you choose, you will be sure to have a good time soaring down the slopes.
