Press Kit

Kirkwood Mountain Resort 2024- 2025 Winter Tip Sheet

Magical and raw, Kirkwood is a high-alpine playground for those seeking big-mountain adventure in Tahoe that’s off the beaten path. Tucked away 35 miles southwest of South Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood offers some of North America’s most diverse and challenging in-bounds terrain. Our unique location atop the Sierra Crest creates the K-Factor—a geographical predisposition to receive some of the lightest, driest, and most plentiful snow in the Tahoe region. With 2,000 feet of vertical drop and over 2,300 acres of terrain, from our dedicated beginner area to thrilling cornices, cliffs, and chutesthere’s something for everyone. The true magic though is Kirkwood's dedicated, tight-knit mountain community that fosters a culture of play, progression, and inclusivity, making it a truly special place for all. 

 

World-Class Terrain for All: Kirkwood is a freeride paradise, offering a wide variety of unparalleled advanced terrain, from cliffs to tree runs to incredibly steep in-bound pitches. This variety positions Kirkwood as a premier destination for big-mountain skiers and riders to test their skills, and for the next generation of those skiers and riders to get introduced to the sport and progress. Although Kirkwood is best known for its challenging terrain, our beginner and intermediate areas are among the best around. Timber Creek’s secluded location, kids' adventure area, slow zones, and dedicated chairlifts make it an ideal place to learn to ski and ride. The layout of Timber Creek naturally separates those just learning from more advanced skiers and riders, ensuring families and learners can easily rent gear, sign up for classes, and enjoy the mountain together. Whether you’re taking your first turns with our Ski and Ride School or hitting the chutes off Chair 10, you can come have fun, progress, and push your boundaries here. 

 

Dedicated Community: When you ski or ride at Kirkwood, you’re immediately part of a close-knit community. Generations of locals have called this mountain home, taught their kids to ski and ride here, and reveled in deep winters and powder. If you want to know where the best lines are, just ask. Pride of place runs deep, and the doors are always open to new folks who share that passion for Kirkwood 

 

Special Events 

Banked Slalom: Kirkwood's Banked Slalom is back! Held in Snow Snake Gully, this event is a beloved tradition for the community and is open to all skiers and riders. Sharpen your edges and come test your skills against the best. Not participating? Make sure to be at the finish line to cheer on your favorite competitor! 

 

New Year’s Eve Celebration: Ring in the New Year with an unforgettable evening at Kirkwood. Join us for a night of family fun, featuring our annual Torchlight Parade and fireworks display over the ridge. This event is a staple for Kirkwood, bringing the community together to celebrate the New Year at our beloved mountain. 

 

Slush Cup: Spring in Lake Tahoe is what California skiing is all about, and Kirkwood's Slush Cup is the springtime tradition you won't want to miss. Join us for this 2-day pond skim extravaganza, where you can test your skills and cheer on your favorite skiers and riders. 

 

*All planned opening dates are conditions-dependent. 

 

Kirkwood Fast Facts 

 
Elevation 

  • Base Elevation: 7,800 ft 
  • Summit Elevation: 9,805 ft. 
  • Vertical Rise: 2,005 ft. 

 

Avg. Annual Snowfall: 354 inches 

 

Acreage: Total Skiable Acres: 2,300 acres 

 

Trail Classification 

  • 20% Expert 
  • 38% Advanced 
  • 30% Intermediate 
  • 12% Beginner 
  • Conventional Trails: 86 

 

Lifts (13 Total) 

  • Quad chairs: 3 
  • Triples: 6 
  •  Double: 1 
  • Magic Carpet Surface Lifts: 2 
  • T-Bar: 1 

 

Fun Facts 

  • Kirkwood has some of the deepest powder in the entire world. 
  • The mountain provides access to the best learning terrain to explore with family and friends. 
  • It’s known for its steep chutes and awesome rock features. 
  • 8 – Easily accessible restaurants to grab a bite at. 
  • 5 – Lodges to enjoy your stay, relax, and cozy up at.  
  • Founded by Zachary Kirkwood, the Historic Kirkwood Inn was established in 1864. 
  • Kirkwood connects three different counties: Alpine, Amador, and El Dorado. 
  • Away from it all, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada, as far as you can see. 

 

Location: 33 miles from South Lake Tahoe off highway 88, away from crowds, where you can enjoy your connection with nature and the elements. 

News Alerts
Don't miss out on our updates. Enter your details below to keep up with our latest news.
* Required Fields
Global Resources Feature Box

Resources

If you are a member of the media and have an inquiry or information request, we encourage you to e-mail the Vail Resorts communications and media relations team.

Press Kit