16 Epic Ski Resorts near Sacramento 2023 [+ Local Tips]

The Sierra Nevada Mountains outside of Sacramento are home to some of the best ski and snowboard resorts on the West Coast.

The biggest challenge of finding ski resorts close to Sacramento is deciding which one is right for your style and skill level.

Luckily, I have snowboarded several times at every ski resort in the region, so I included all the details you will need to help you plan your next trip to the snow.

16 Ski Resorts near Sacramento

The nearest ski resort from Sacramento is around 90 miles away, and all but one are in the Tahoe region. 

This list is arranged from the closest ski resort to Sacramento to the farthest.

While some resorts are small and cater more to beginners and families, there are plenty of ski resorts with insane trails for advanced and expert-level skiers as well. 

From gentle slopes on relatively flat terrain to heart-pounding vertical drops, these ski resorts have something for everyone at every skill level. Check out this map of ski resorts in Tahoe.

1. Soda Springs Mountain Resort

• Best For: Families and groups with beginner skiers or first trip out in the snow
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 89 miles, 1:30 hours
• Skill Level: All levels, though geared more toward beginners
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, cafes, retail shop

Soda Springs Mountain Resort is the closest ski resort to Sacramento and is known for being the longest-running ski resort in California. 

The resort is on the smaller side, offering only a few lifts that service its 15 runs and 70% of the resort’s terrain is graded beginner and intermediate-friendly. 

This family-friendly ski resort has really gone out of its way to ensure that they offer up a fun day on the snow for the entire family by offering several options to keep the kids entertained. 

Planet Kids snow playground is for children 7 years and under and offers a tubing carousel and ski and snowboard lessons. 

There is also Woodward Start Park, where kids can learn how to ski and snowboard using terrain-based learning. 

Then there is Tube Town which offers all-ages fun where you can tube its 10 runs and use its surface lift to get back to the top.

❄️ Local Tip: Soda Springs has some of the cheapest lift ticket prices in the region, and a family of four can ski for under $200.

2. Boreal Mountain Resort

• Best For: Experiencing night skiing in Tahoe
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 91 miles, 1:30 hours 
• Skill Level: All levels
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, retail shop

Two things skiers and snowboarders will rave about at Boreal Ski Resort are night skiing and epic park riding. 

Boreal is also famous for its relatively inexpensive lift tickets compared to other ski resorts, which makes this an accessible option in a sport that can be very pricy for a day on the snow.

The resort offers the best terrain parks in Tahoe with varying degrees of difficulty for all levels, including everything from a mini 16-foot halfpipe to an old-school jib park.

Boreal also is open till 8 pm, meaning that they turn on the lights so that you make some turns and hit some jumps when every other resort is closed.

Boreal Night passes are available for purchase so that you can enjoy unlimited skiing from 3 pm to 8 pm.

❄️ Local Tip: Lift tickets are cheaper online and during weekdays

3. Sugar Bowl Ski Resort

• Best For: Ski runs with panoramic views from four peaks
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 91 miles, 1:30 hours
• Skill Level: All levels though more on Intermediate and Advanced
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, shops, lodging available, gondola rides

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort is one of the oldest ski resorts in California and has been operational since 1939. 

Home of the state’s first chair lift and the West Coast’s first gondola, this ski resort close to Sacramento currently has 12 lifts that provide guests access to more than 103 trails, with 83% for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. 

Though most of the trails are graded for intermediate and more advanced skiers, its four iconic peaks – Mt. Judah, Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Disney, and Crow’s Nest Peak still have plenty of beginner-friendly runs. 

Enjoy tap beers and cocktails at the Belt Room Bar after a day on the slopes.

❄️ Local Tip: Since it’s close to San Francisco/Bay Area, it can get crowded on weekends, so make sure to arrive at the Mount Judah parking lot before 9 am to secure a spot.

Driving from San Francisco? Check out our road trip guide to Lake Tahoe from San Francisco.

4. Sierra at Tahoe Ski Resort

• Best For: Ski runs with fantastic Tahoe views
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 91 miles, 1:40 hours
• Skill Level: All levels
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, shops, gondola rides

Just off of Highway 50 and also considered the closest ski resort to Sacramento, Sierra at Tahoe is famous among local skiers and snowboarders who love its variety of well-groomed terrain, short tree runs, and diversity of its terrain. 

With over 14 lifts and 47 trails divided into 18 beginner-friendly, 18 intermediate, and 11 advanced, it provides a fun and challenging experience for all levels. 

Sierra at Tahoe is one of the best California ski resorts for beginners as they can take advantage of the best beginner run in the Tahoe area called Sugar and Spice. 

It runs from the top of the mountain, zig-zagging its way across the mountain all the way to the base.

Sierra always offers up some of the best park riding in the region, with terrain on both sides of the mountain.

❄️ Local Tip: If you’re just learning to snowboard or ski, their ski/snowboard lesson package is all-in and is over 2 hours longer than most lessons offered at other resorts.

READ MORE: One of the best ways to end a day of skiing is soaking in one of the best hot springs near Sacramento, CA.

5. Donner Ski Ranch

• Best For: Family and group ski trips
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 92 miles/1:30 hours
• Skill Level: All levels (more on Intermediate slopes)
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, retail shops

Coming up on Donner Ski Ranch, you’ll soon find that it’s larger than it first appears, as it is the second largest ski resort on Donner Summit. 

High base elevations and great high-mountain terrain on the resort’s backside provide an almost secluded area for more advanced skiers away from the crowd. 

In contrast, slopes and terrain out front provide a great opportunity to practice for beginner and intermediate skiers. 

However, this ski resort’s biggest draw, aside from its all-around good vibe, is that its ticket prices can go as much as 75% cheaper than other resorts in the area. 

❄️ Local Tip: Make sure to check out their “Old School Days Throwback Pricing” on Tuesdays through Thursdays.

6. Kirkwood Ski Resort

• Best For: Challenging ski runs with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 99 miles, 1:54 hours
• Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced; has trails for all levels
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, boutique shops, skating rink, and lodging available

Kirkwood Ski Resort, also known as the ‘Wood, is best known for the K-factor, which accounts for the lightest, driest, and most plentiful powder in the Tahoe region. 

This resort has over 2,300 skiable acres, with 15 lifts providing access to over 86 trails. 

Only 12% of the runs are for beginners, which means this is more of an intermediate to an expert ski resort. 

Kirkwood features runs like The Wall and several others with chutes that will challenge even the best riders and skiers. 

This is a serious ski resort near Sacramento that is perfect for those that want to push the boundaries of their abilities and want to experience terrain and powder unlike anywhere else in the region.

❄️ Local Tip: Dining here is limited, and it’s a little way out from nearby cities, so it’s best to bring your food. If you’re staying in Sacramento, the drive to Kirkwood can get very windy, so if you get car sick, make sure to take some motion sickness pills with you.

7. Tahoe Donner Ski Resort

• Best For: Skiing or riding on easy terrain
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 103.2 miles, 1:50 hours
• Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants

If you’re looking for extremely child and family-friendly skiing near Sacramento, look no further than Tahoe Donner Ski Resort. 

The resort has five ski lifts, including two chair lifts and three conveyor lifts. 

The mountains 14 trails offer mostly shallow accents ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers and riders. 

Children as young as three years old can start learning how to ski here, as trails running around the entire resort are on the easier side. 

For more advanced riders, make your way to the Eagle Rock Summit at 7,350 feet elevation using the quad chairlift. 

Here you will find at least five intermediate and three advanced runs that will test your skills.

❄️ Local Tip: End your ski day at the Ski Grill + Bar for some warm, soft pretzels for the kids and a full-service bar for the adults.

8. Heavenly Lake Tahoe

• Best For: Ski runs with the most picturesque views of Lake Tahoe
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 104 miles, 2 hours
• Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, boutique shops, lodging available, gondola rides

Straddling Lake Tahoe’s California and Nevada border, Heavenly Lake Tahoe is one of the best places to ski in California.

This ski resort has the highest ski elevation in Lake Tahoe at 10,067 feet and provides the unique experience of skiing in two states on the same day. 

The resort is huge and has every type of terrain you could want, from open powder bowls, narrow chutes, a wide variety of terrain parks, and low runs for cruising.

Ride up the gondola to the top of the mountain, where upper runs provide intermediate, advanced, and expert-level skiers with sweeping views of Lake Tahoe from many of the resort’s 97 trails. 

For families, this is also a great option as the Heavenly Village offers fun activities like ice skating, a movie theater, and shopping.

Heavenly Ski Resort is also a popular spot for “big kids” who like to party on and off the slopes, as the resort is also very close to the South Lake Tahoe casinos and nightlife.

❄️ Local Tip: You can ride their gondola up the mountain right from the Tahoe Strip, with its many neighboring hotels just steps away.

Read this guide on how to get to Lake Tahoe from Sacramento without a car.

9. Palisades Tahoe (Squaw Valley)

• Best For: Mountain top skiing with views of Lake Tahoe
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 109 miles, 2 hours
• Skill Level: All levels
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, boutique shops, lodging available, gondola rides

Palisades Tahoe is often called the best place for skiing near Sacramento for its epic terrain and its odd snow amenities.

Home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, this ski resort offers beginner-friendly mountaintop slopes with breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and steep chutes and bowls that are challenging enough to train future Olympians. 

If you want to challenge your skills, the legendary K-22 lift offers access to deep powder for advanced skiers. 

This lift accesses terrain that boasts the longest skiing season in Tahoe, which extends well into spring. 

There is so much to do at this resort that you could easily spend several days taking in all the fun. 

You can compete with friends and family at the NASTAR racecourse, enjoy an intimate sunset happy hour at high camp, or have some family fun at Disco Tubing at night. 

Palisades is a great fun-for-all location on and off the slope.

❄️ Local Tip: If you plan to ski here more than once during the whole season, purchase the Tahoe Super 4-pack and save more; four days of access to slopes with no black-out dates, including weekends and holidays.

Learn how to safely adjust to Lake Tahoe’s altitude.

10. Northstar California Resort

• Best For: Beginner skiers looking to try more difficult terrain
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 109 miles, 2 hours
• Skill Level: All levels; more intermediate runs
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, boutique shops, skating rink, lodging available, gondola rides

Northstar California Resort has three gondolas that provide scenic rides to the top of the mountain and eight terrain parks with varying difficulty levels ranging from an extra small Burton Progression Park to the large Pipeline. 

With 20 lifts, there’s access to all 100 trails, with 60% marked blue for intermediate skiers. 

Most slopes are relatively easy for beginner skiers and snowboarders with enough seasons/practice under their belt. 

Northstar has a reputation for being flat, but “The Backside” and “Lookout Mountain” is available for more advanced skiers and riders that want more of a challenge or simply want to go fast. 

Northstar village offers plenty of things to do once you get off the slopes and onto flat ground, like ice skating, cross-country skiing, bars, and shopping, along with onsite accommodations. 

❄️ Local Tip: Arrive before 9 am to secure parking at the yellow lots in case you like to park closer, as the red lots are a little farther from the resort entrance.

Heading to Lake Tahoe? See the best cabins in Lake Tahoe with a hot tub.

11. Alpine Meadows

• Best For: Ski runs with beautiful Lake Tahoe views
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 112 miles, 2 hours
• Skill Level: All levels; more intermediate runs
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons

Alpine Meadows merged with Palisades Tahoe, formerly Squaw Valley, and is now considered the largest ski resort near Sacramento. 

Though they are considered one mega-resort, using the same pass and providing connecting shuttles and a future base-to-base Gondola, both resorts have retained a bit of their original character. 

Alpine has over 13 lifts providing access to 100 runs with 25% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 35% for advanced/expert. 

There are also six terrain parks for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. 

Continuous improvement is being made at the Alpine Lodge to improve services and increase capacity.

❄️ Local Tip: Either arrive early or after lunch for a half-day, especially during weekends, as it can get crowded from 9 am to noon.

12. Granlibakken Ski Area

• Best For: Short and easy ski sessions
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 114 miles, 2 hours
• Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, lodging available

The Granlibakken Ski Area is a modestly-sized ski hill where guests of the Granlibakken Resort can practically access the lifts and go sledding right from their doorstep. 

Two surface lifts cater to skiers and give them access to the beginner-friendly “bunny slope” via the rope tow and the more intermediate slope via the Poma button lift. 

This is not a typical ski resort with lots of tree-lined runs, this is more of a hill with an open glade for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding.

For its cheap price, this is can be a fun and affordable place to learn to ski or snowboard or just get a few turns in.

If you and your party are staying at the resort for a few days and you’ve had your fill of the ski and sled hill, there’s plenty of the Sierra terrain to explore via snowshoeing. 

❄️ Local Tip: No need to bring your sled here but make sure to book a stay over Saturday to enjoy Saturday Spicy Sledding, an after-dark sledding session on-site with lights, music, and food.

Do you want to see more snow? Read this post on the best places for snow in California.

13. Homewood Mountain Resort

• Best For: Killer trails with unobstructed views of Lake Tahoe
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 119 miles, 2 hours
• Skill Level: All levels; more intermediate and advanced trails
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, retail shop, lodging available

Homewood Mountain Resort is known for its unobstructed views of Lake Tahoe and its trademark hidden powder stashes that can be found by taking advantage of their snowcat skiing adventures.

All of its 67 runs have breathtaking views of the lake, which will keep you riding the lift up for more turns and scenic views. 

Although the mountain is mainly graded for intermediate to expert levels, they offer several beginner-friendly runs.

This includes the ability to connect Rainbow Ridge to Homeward Bound, which will take riders from the top of the mountain all the way to the South Base.

The resort’s longest run, “Rainbow Ridge” happens to be part of that small percentage that are for beginners.

Its eight lifts rarely experience windhold as the resort is well-sheltered by Ellis Peak, making this the go-to spot when strong winds pick up in Tahoe.

❄️ Local Tip: Make sure to observe the trail map as the resort splits into two, and some runs might take you where you need to take a shuttle to get back to the base. 

14. Diamond Peak Ski Resort

• Best For: Gladed tree runs with views of Lake Tahoe
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 121 miles, 2:10 hours
• Skill Level: All levels
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, retail shop

Located just above the Incline Village, Diamond Peak Ski Resort is Lake Tahoe’s only community-owned resort and is prized for its striking lake views and not having lift lines. 

This resort also has the fourth most rideable vertical in all of the Tahoe region which includes 13 glade zones of pure tree skiing fun that overlook Lake Tahoe. 

This resort is really best suited for intermediate to expert riders, with plenty of open bowls, glades, and tree skiing for more advanced skiers that like to get off the groomers and hit the powder.

Beginners are limited to just a few runs that are all near the base of the mountain, but this is still a good resort to take your first lesson.

❄️ Local Tip: Purchase lift tickets online to save as much as $10 per ticket.

15. Mt. Rose Ski Resort

• Best For: Full-on ski vacation on and off the slopes
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 128 miles, 2:20 hours
• Skill Level: All levels
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants, boutique shops, and lodging available nearby

Also known as “The Biggest Little Mountain”, Mt. Rose has Tahoe’s highest base elevation at 8,260’, which means it gets a lot of great snow even during the spring. 

Its eight lifts, which include 2-high speed six packs, are easily accessible from the slope-side parking lots, which makes access to its wide variety of terrain a lot more convenient. 

There are over 60+ trails in the resort, with about 50% beginner green and intermediate blue, while 50% are advanced black and double black. 

This provides great distribution for all levels, with each difficulty naturally segmented into its own part of the mountain, which makes connecting runs easier. 

As this is the closest ski resort to Reno, there are plenty of other activities nearby to satisfy the appetites of kids and adults alike, such as casinos and craft breweries for post-skiing fun.

Use this road trip guide for your drive to Reno from Sacramento to find the best stops along the way.

❄️ Local Tip: Book your accommodations in Reno rather than Tahoe if you want to save some money.

This ski resort is only a 20-minute drive from Steamboat Hot Springs, one of the best hot springs in Lake Tahoe.

16. Skyline Bear Valley Resort

• Best For: Uncrowded ski experience with 360-degree views of the Sierra
• Distance / Drive time from Sacramento: 127 miles, 2:30 hours
• Skill Level: All levels; more advanced and expert trails
• Amenities: equipment rentals, lessons, restaurants nearby, boutique shops nearby, lodging available nearby

Skyline Bear Valley Resort is situated between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite in the high Sierra. 

Unlike its Lake Tahoe resort neighbors, this ski resort is relatively uncrowded, as access to the area’s lodging and shops is limited to snowmobiles during the winter. 

Its relative seclusion makes it an ideal skiing getaway for those who want to escape the crowds. 

The resort has two terrain parks that are constantly developing and evolving each season, as well as nine lifts servicing 58 trails. 

Most of the mountain is graded for advanced for expert skiers and riders on single and double black diamonds, but there are still plenty of beginner runs. 

❄️ Local Tip: The lower part of the mountain has a great bowl, especially on cold powder days or when there’s really good snow. 

Ski Resorts near Sacramento Map

Why not grab a cup of coffee from one of the best coffee shops in Sacramento before heading out to the slopes?

FAQs

How far is Sacramento from skiing?

Sacramento is about 90 miles from the closest ski resorts. The closest ski resorts are Soda Springs off highway 80 and Sierra at Tahoe off highway 50.

What is the closest ski resort to Sacramento?

The closest ski resorts to Sacramento are Soda Springs off I-80 and Sierra at Tahoe, right off Highway 50. The drive time in clear conditions can take as little as 1 hour and 50 minutes.

What is the best ski resort for beginners?

Sierra at Tahoe is the best ski resort for beginners as they have several green beginner runs, including ‘Sugar and Spice’, which runs from the top of the mountain to the base lodge.

Wrap-Up: Ski Resorts near Sacramento

Whether you’re taking up skiing or snowboarding for the first time, a green beginner, a blue intermediate, a black advanced, or a double black expert skier, there are plenty of ski resorts near Sacramento that can surely satisfy your need for slopes.