California/Nevada 1 Day Ski Trip From Sfo

[Baldrick]

Just a possibility at this stage. We will land at SFO March 29 mid afternoon, and could rent a car and drive east that day, staying 2 nights somewhere close to skiing. Any suggestions for resort and for a town to stay at? Or even stay at a resort?

Thanks

 

[jgiddyup]

Try Sugar Bowl as it's closer than most others and has received a good amount of snow this season. Go a little farther and stay in Truckee with Squaw/Alpine, Homewood, Northstar and Sugar Bowl within easy reach.

 

[Tricia]

Do you have a season pass anywhere that can be partnered with any of the Tahoe resorts?

 

[mdf]

Another possibility - one day bus trips.
https://www.bayareaskibus.com/index.cfm/one_day_trips.htm

I haven't used them (I am in Boston) but I have done several bus trips here and I am a big fan. It looks like that company has the absurdly early departures needed for a full ski day (that is a good thing).

 

[Baldrick]

Try Sugar Bowl as it's closer than most others and has received a good amount of snow this season. Go a little farther and stay in Truckee with Squaw/Alpine, Homewood, Northstar and Sugar Bowl within easy reach.

Thanks JG yes sugar bowl looks good. The trail map shows a mix of groomed and ungroomed - great!

Do you have a season pass anywhere that can be partnered with any of the Tahoe resorts?

Thanks Tricia. No we dont look likely to get anything like a season pass too uncertain where we will go once on the road.

Another possibility - one day bus trips.
https://www.bayareaskibus.com/index.cfm/one_day_trips.htm
I haven't used them (I am in Boston) but I have done several bus trips here and I am a big fan. It looks like that company has the absurdly early departures needed for a full ski day (that is a good thing).

Thanks mdf That looks like really good value if they are still running as late as March 29. I have sent an email enquiring. (published schedule ends march 20th)

 

[Tricia]

@Baldrick I wondered if you had a pass for somewhere else that ties in to one or more of the Tahoe resorts. For instance, you could have a pass at Afton Alps in MN, or Mt Brighton in MI that would work for other Vail holdings.

 

[Baldrick]

@Baldrick I wondered if you had a pass for somewhere else that ties in to one or more of the Tahoe resorts. For instance, you could have a pass at Afton Alps in MN, or Mt Brighton in MI that would work for other Vail holdings.

Hi Tricia

All our skiing will be up in BC Canada or Montana or Washington State, but we have not yet commited to any resort/area. We will follow whatever snow there is. We are then travelling to the Grand Canyon area to be traditional Tourists, and flying out of SFO. We have two nights at SFO so we can possibly use that time, maybe stay at Sacramento, and do a day trip to a Tahoe resort?

 

[peterm]

If you can handle driving just a little further than Sugar Bowl, one idea for finishing up your trip would be to ski a resort in Tahoe that has great views of the lake. Heavenly & Homewood are the main options:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Hea...iw=1366&bih=801#tbm=isch&q=Ski+Heavenly+views
https://www.google.com/search?q=ski...sMXKAhVB2mMKHfvRAPAQ_AUICCgC&biw=1366&bih=801

 

[Baldrick]

If you can handle driving just a little further than Sugar Bowl, one idea for finishing up your trip would be to ski a resort in Tahoe that has great views of the lake. Heavenly & Homewood are the main options:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Hea...iw=1366&bih=801#tbm=isch&q=Ski+Heavenly+views
https://www.google.com/search?q=ski...sMXKAhVB2mMKHfvRAPAQ_AUICCgC&biw=1366&bih=801

Great Photo collection! I just drooled over my keyboard and desk. If BC is unsatisfactory we might have to leave Canada early and head for the Sierras...

Thanks for posting Peter

Cheers

 

[Alexzn]

If you drive from SFO to Sugar Bowl, the distance between it and the rest of Tahoe resorts is insignificant (its 20 more minutes drive in good weather to Squaw or Alpine). it totally depends on what you prefer. If you want the biggest baddest skiing in the area, go to Squaw, if you want a good mix of groomers and bowl skiing, go to Alpine. I would not, repeat, not drive all the way from SFO to go to Homewood too small and too tame. Heavenly has stupendous views and fine groomers, but the rest of the skiing is a bit meh for my taste (it is really known for tree skiing, but my impression is that you need to know the mountain to get the best out of it). Sugar Bowl is a good mountain and has lost of snow, but you cannot see Lake Tahoe from there (or so I think.

 

[quant]

1) It is always much less expensive to stay in So. Lake Tahoe, particularly mid-week when you will be in CA. You might find rooms in casinos like Harvey's or Harrahs for less than $60 that are within walking distance to the Heavenly gondola (the prices now for your date is around $100 per night, but that could drop a few weeks before you will be there if the rooms aren't filled). Most of the motels are poor, so look around for reviews for the better ones. Some go for as low as $30 or less per night, but I wouldn't stay in them. It costs a lot more in Sacramento for a hotel, so you might as well go east.
2) There are usually no bus rides mid-week but check with the Bay Area Ski Bus to see.
3) The drive is easy when there is no traffic and the weather is good. Remember, rush hour sucks in the Bay area and around Sacramento.
4) Whether you take 50 to South Lake Tahoe or 80 to the north to Sugar Bowl, Squaw or wherever is up to you. There is plenty of snow and it will last through spring. Heavenly and Homewood have wonderful views of the lake.
5) There is a lot to do in the Bay area when coming back. Consider wine tasting, seeing a show, etc.
6) If you go to the southern part of Lake Tahoe (Heavenly or drive over to Kirkwood) consider visiting the wineries in Amador County on the way back to SF.