Ski Resorts in Nevada
Nevada is home to just a handful of ski resorts. It might not have the same big-name ski resorts as its neighbor California but there are two resorts sitting in the Lake Tahoe region that stands out: Mount Rose Ski Tahoe and Diamond Peak.
Pros
- Mount Rose Ski Tahoe is a hidden gem amongst Lake Tahoe ski resorts
- Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Nevada is close to many ski resorts including Mount Rose Ski Tahoe (30 minutes drive), Diamond Peak (45 minutes drive) and others over in California
Cons
- Only four ski resorts in the state
- Small ski areas and limited vertical compared to ski resorts in California
Getting there
- Fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport for Mount Rose Ski Tahoe or Diamond Peak. For Lee Canyon, fly into McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.
- Best way to resorts from Reno-Tahoe International Airport is to drive or take a shuttle for Mount Rose Ski Tahoe; the drive takes 30 minutes. If you’re not driving to Diamond Peak from Reno-Tahoe International Airport then take the North Lake Tahoe Express airport shuttle to Incline Village where there are free ski shuttles to the ski resort. The drive from Reno-Tahoe International to Diamond Peak takes 45 minutes.
- The best way from McCarran International Airport to Lee Canyon is to drive as public transport is limited. Using ride-sharing services from Las Vegas is also not recommended as Lee Canyon is out of range meaning you won’t be able to return back using the same service. You’ve been warned. The drive takes an hour.
The closest ski resort to Reno, Mount Rose Ski Tahoe has the highest base elevation and most efficient lift layout in the Lake Tahoe region. With the base starting at 8,260 ft, the snow stays in good condition and a couple of “Sick Pack” high-speed chairlifts takes skiers to most of the terrain here. There are over 1,200 ac to explore but the highlight would have to be the Chutes area, it’s steep with pitches ranging from 40-55 degrees!
The only thing stopping Mount Rose from being one of the best ski resorts in Lake Tahoe is its small size and short vertical compared to the bigger names such as Squaw Alpine and Heavenly.
Also in Lake Tahoe, Diamond Peak is distinctly different from some of the more corporate ski resorts in the region. The community-owned resort sits above Incline Village and offers family-friendly vibes and uncrowded slopes. It also has the 4th longest vertical drop in Lake Tahoe at 1,840 ft along with its 30 runs across 655 ac of terrain.
Lee Canyon is the only ski area near Las Vegas and offers 24 trails across its 455 ac of terrain. It has an average annual snowfall of 161 in although there are 51% of snowmaking capabilities.
Elko SnoBowl is a small non-profit ski area with just 10 trails across its 60 ac of terrain. Opened on weekends, it’s the only ski area in eastern Nevada and is a great and very affordable choice for locals.
| Stat | Resorts |
|---|---|
| Best for Beginners | Diamond Peak |
| Best for Intermediates | Diamond Peak |
| Best for Advanced and Experts | Mount Rose Ski Tahoe |
| Best for All-rounder | Mount Rose Ski Tahoe |
| Highest Summit Elevation | Lee Canyon |
| Highest number of runs | Mount Rose Ski Tahoe |
| Largest ski area | Mount Rose Ski Tahoe |
| Highest number of lists | Mount Rose Ski Tahoe |