With the largest concentration of ski resorts in North America, Lake Tahoe is California's best skiing destination. The ski season typically lasts from November to May and frequently extends into the summer. Lift tickets last winter ranged from $44 to $75 per day for adults, and from free to $39 for children, with special rates for seniors. Ticket prices rise every year, but bargains are available, particularly midweek. Many resorts, hotels, and motels offer ski packages. Contact the visitor centers or visit the websites to look for these values. The resorts offer instruction for adults and children, equipment rental, special courses for snowboarding, and restaurants. Most have free shuttles.
Cross-Country Skiing -- In addition to the major resorts, here are some other excellent establishments: Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Resort, Soda Springs, near Sugar Bowl (tel. 800/500-3871 or 800/666-3871; www.royalgorge.com), is one of the largest and best cross-country resorts anywhere, with 90 trails, including 28 novice trails and four ski lifts. For North Shore visitors, Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area, 925 Country Club Dr., Tahoe City (tel. 866/SKI-TXCC or 530/583-5475; www.tahoexc.org), is a small (14 trails), full-service ski center run by a nonprofit community group. A quiet, full-service ski center off the beaten path, Spooner Lake Cross Country Ski Area, near the intersection of Highway 28 and U.S. 50 on the East Shore (tel. 775/749-5349; www.spoonerlake.com), offers some of the most scenic skiing at the lake.
