Tahoe Ski Resorts

Without gloating too much (training for the Powder-8's at Tahoe in a week) and sounding like a ass, here are my Tahoe ski resort rankings.

1. Alpine Meadows - Nestled on Tahoe's north shore, this local favorite isn't as well known as Squaw but provides everything Squaw can offer but without the pomp and fanfare. Basically the accommodations are less luxurious, but the snow is better.

2. Kirkwood - While Alpine is situated north of the lake and attracts more people from the SF Bay area, Kirkwood sits to the South and is a little more remote and less populated. Like Alpine, this is a local favorite that eschews the gltiz of Squaw and Heavenly. #1 and #2 on my list are a cut above #3 and #4 in terms of crowds, price and snow.

3. Squaw - The Winter Olympics were held here in 1960, and therefore carries a more expensive lift ticket. At Squaw you take a gondola almost to the top and ski down from there. The snow is very good, but the crowds and price keep this below neighboring Alpine Meadows in the rankings.

4. Heavenly - Located on the South Shore, Heavenly straddles California and Nevada. One of the biggest resorts in North America, Heavenly has become more about the nightlife and accomodations than the actual skiing. Still, one of the biggest and best in Tahoe with majestic views of the lake.

5. Northstar - Alpine and Kirkwood are local favorites. Squaw and Heavenly are tourist destinations with decent snow. Northstar is neither. It's not quite big enough to be a mega tourist place and isn't quite small enough to feel like a local place. Still, the snow is good and makes my top-5.