Kirkwood Ski Resort Guide
Kirkwood, United States
Rated: 3/5 (from 6 ratings) Write a Review
| Recommended For | Intermediates, Snowboarders, Snowfall and Apres-Ski! |
|---|---|
| Highest Lift | 2,990m |
| Resort Height | 2,380m |
| Nearest Airports | Reno Tahoe and Mammoth Yosemite |
Kirkwood
Kirkwood is a hidden gem in the Sierra Nevada, renowned for its deep snow and challenging terrain. It offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and diverse skiing experiences.
Summary
Nestled in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, Kirkwood boasts a reputation for exceptional snow conditions and varied terrain. With over 2,300 acres to explore, this resort caters to skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
The ski area of Kirkwood is at an altitude of 2,380m.
Kirkwood is part of the Lake Tahoe ski area with access to 259km of downhill skiing, with 84 marked pistes, served by a total of 29 ski lifts. In addition to the skiing in Kirkwood itself (65 pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Lake Tahoe ski resorts of Boreal, Diamond Peak, Donner Ski Ranch, Heavenly, Homewood, Mount Rose Ski Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Palisades Tahoe, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Sugar Bowl.
The ski resort itself is at 2,380m, so skiing or boarding back to the resort is usually possible. With ski lifts as high as 2,990m, skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season.
Notable Ski Runs
The longest possible descent in Kirkwood is 4km long and the most difficult run is the 'The Wall'.
Snow and Weather
Kirkwood enjoys a strong snow reliability, with an average snowfall of over 500 inches annually and consistent snow depth throughout the season. For the latest snow information, check J2Ski.
When will it snow in Kirkwood?
There is currently no significant snow in the 7-day forecast for Kirkwood.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update.
Snow this week
| Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ski Area Stats
Kirkwood Ski Area
| Black Pistes Expert Trails | 19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Red Pistes Intermediate Runs | 32 | |
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 16 | |
| Cross Country Total Length | 80km | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 12 | |
Lake Tahoe Ski Area
| Pistes Number of runs | 84 | |
|---|---|---|
| Downhill Total Length | 259km | |
| Cross Country Total Length | 100km | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 29 | |
Kirkwood Altitudes
| Highest Lift | 2,990m |
|---|---|
| Lowest Piste | 2,380m |
| Resort Altitude (Kirkwood) | 2,380m |
| Max Vertical | 610m |
Ratings & Suitability
| Expert Skiers | |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Skiers | |
| Snowboarding | |
| Snow | |
| Apres-Ski |
Skiing
Kirkwood features peaks that reach elevations of over 9,800 feet, with a vertical drop of 2,000 feet. The resort encompasses several areas, including the famous Cornice Express and the expert-friendly Wall Avenue, providing a mix of groomed trails and challenging runs.
Kirkwood offers good sking, particularly, for Expert and Intermediate skiers.
Snowboarding
Snowboarders will enjoy Kirkwood's terrain parks, such as the Lower Main Park and the more advanced Sidekick Park, offering a variety of jumps, rails, and boxes suitable for all skill levels.
Location and Map
Where is Kirkwood?
This ski resort is in Honolulu County, California, United States.
Map
Tap 
for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Kirkwood is Reno Tahoe, 88 minutes drive away.
Mammoth Yosemite airport is also within three hours drive.
Kirkwood is accessible via U.S. Highway 50 from major cities like Sacramento and San Francisco. The drive offers scenic views and is about a three-hour trip from the Bay Area.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The 12 ski lifts are able to uplift 16,300 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Season Dates
When is Kirkwood open?
We don't currently have confirmed season dates, but hope to soon.
Usual opening is late November, and usual closing is Early May (Open to end April or early May depending on conditions/dates).
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
Aprés Ski
After a day on the slopes, unwind at the lively Kirkwood Inn or enjoy a meal at the famous 7800 Bar & Grill. For those seeking nightlife, the resort's intimate taverns provide a cozy atmosphere.
