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Kirkwood

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Elevations:

Top:
 2987 meters
 9800 feet
Base:
 2377 meters
 7799 feet
Vertical:
 610 meters
 2001 feet
Average Annual Snow Fall:
 1270 cm
 508 inches

Number of Lifts:

12 lifts:
  2 quad chair(s)
  7 triple chair(s)
  1 double chair(s)
  2 surface lift(s)

Contact details:

Ph: +1 209 258-6000
Snow Ph: +1 209 258-6000
Email: Click here
Website: Click here

 

Resort Rundown

Kirkwood is probably the most secluded Title of all the resort in the Lake Tahoe area. Located well away from the Lake and south of South Lake Tahoe, the drive the Kirkwood is well worth it. When the resorts around Lake Tahoe like Squaw and Heavenly are teaming with people, Kirkwood's uncrowded slopes provide a very attractive alternative.

Kirkwood hosts a leg of the US Extremes Snowboard Tour and thus has a reputation of being an extreme rider's mountain. Although Kirkwood does have some seriously steep stuff it also has a ton of intermediate and cruisy terrain.

Unlike some of the Tahoe resorts which have seriously upgraded their lift systems, Kirkwood's lift system is nearly all fixed grip and this relatively slow.

Hint: On the drive to Kirkwood make sure you keep an eye out for the numerous road gaps that are possible.

Terrain:

The terrain at Kirkwood is spread across a long ridgeline. Most of the faces have been gladed making for excellent tree riding.

Click here for the Kirkwood Trail Map

Freeriding:

The freeriding at Kirkwood is extremely varied - trees, steeps, bumps, cruisers, rock and drops. You name it and Kirkwood seems to have a bit of everything. If you are after some open tree riding then head to Larry's Lip. In this area you will find some nice steep sections known as the Sisters. This area is reached by the Wagon Wheel Chair lift.

Kirkwood is blessed with good snowfalls with over 4 metres of snow falling each year. The smaller crowds mean you get more powder turns for your dime.

Freestyle:

The variability of the terrain at Kirkwood makes it perfect for all round freestyling. The natural gullies and the collision of ridgelines are perfect places to find natural hits. If you after some jibbing and head into the trees. There is plenty of natural stuff to play with here. One of the best runs on the mountain for jibs is Snowsnake Gully.

In terms of parks and pipes Kirkwood is not as advanced as other resorts in the Tahoe area. There is a small park located off Caple's Crest Chair lift.

Snow and Weather Conditions

Kirkwood is situated south of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range.  Throughout winter, the resort gets bombarded with Pacific storms that dump some 400+ inches of snow per season.

Click here for the latest snow and weather conditions at Kirkwood

Accommodation

There is accommodation located right at the base of Kirkwood but it doesn't come cheap. If your budget is a bid tighter the best bet is to stay in South Lake Tahoe. There are plenty of low budget motel here. South Lake Tahoe is located about 18 kms from Kirkwood.

Check out our Lake Tahoe page for more info on accommodations around Lake Tahoe.

Night Life

For nightlife you are best off heading to the casinos in South Lake Tahoe.

Getting There

By Air: The easiest way to get to Kirkwood is to fly into Reno and then hire a car and drive the 112 kms to Kirkwood.

By Car: Once you are at Truckee in Lake Tahoe, follow the signs Heavenly Valley and South Lake Tahoe. From South Lake Tahoe take Hwys 88 and 89 to Kirkwood.

Thanks

Thanks to all the staff at South Lake Tahoe.

Last updated on 05 November 2004.

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Kirkwood

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