Kirkwood's only drawback is that it's 30 miles south of South Lake Tahoe; otherwise, it's one of the top ski areas in Tahoe, with lots of snow and excellent spring skiing. It has 2,300 skiable acres, 12 lifts, and 65 trails. Many programs cater to children, including child-care for the younger ones (ages 2-6). The High Alpine Adventure Center (tel. 209/258-7248) enables guests to snowshoe and cross-country ski directly from the resort; it offers lessons for all ages and spectacular scenery. Kirkwood is also ideal for summertime hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and rock climbing. A year-round zipline, Zip Tahoe (tel. 209/258-7330; www.ziptahoe.com), with nine tour options, suspension bridges, and a floating step, is a recent addition to the resort; most tours are 2 hours and an additional charge. With ample lodging (tel. 800/967-7500) and dining options, this is a great year-round destination. The shuttle service to South Lake Tahoe is $5 each way.