https://www.kirkwood.com/#main_nav__dropdown__2A dream of mine, not only for skiing, but for life in general, is to go out west. California, Colorado, Utah, you name it. All of these locations are none for their natural beauty, and with that, comes mountains (perfect for skiing). For this passion blog, I want to focus on one specific resort, Kirkwood just forty minutes south of Lake Tahoe. 

I have a friend from San Francisco who raved about her experience at Kirkwood. From vast terrain, heavy powder snowfall, and beautiful views, Kirkwood sounds like a perfect spot for me. Having 2,000ft of a vertical drop, Kirkwood is not the highest mountain on Lake Tahoe, but has by far the most snow. And to me, what this means is new trails every single day! With so much snow, you can even make your own path into a trail, it doesn’t even have to be groomed! 

Not only is the snowfall primal, but 60% of the terrain is expert level! I think I would really love challenging myself within these trials, as New England mountains and conditions aren’t quite as difficult. There are even fresh powder access trails in the Palisades area, but it is only hike-to terrain, so you have to be up for a work out!

Kirkwood, being forty minutes south of the lake, faces little to no crowds, if you get there at the right time. Although from Lake Tahoe you need to drive through two narrow passes, I’ve heard the drive is least of your worries, as no other skiing will compare. With a lack of people and mass dumps of powder, it’s almost an endless mountain for skiers. So, leave at the crack of dawn! You will not regret it.

My dad used to travel out West a lot and would ski while out visiting. I remember he would tell me stories of his experiences on the mountains, and how surreal they were. His stories made me dream of wanting to go out west, but there is one in particular that always stood out to me. I can’t remember where or which mountain it was, but it was for sure not in New England. He told me how he was skiing down the trail with his best friend, when he noticed there were no trees in sight. Confused, he looked to his friend, and asked what happened to all the trees. But, what he didn’t realize was that he was skiing on top of them. That’s right, on top of the trees. Just the tip of pine peaked out from under the snow. That is just how much snow the mountains get out west. 

With my dad’s memory in mind, Kirkwood is somewhere I hope to visit someday in my life, as the conditions will no doubt put me on cloud nine. I hope to ski all the mountains of Lake Tahoe, and enjoy the west conditions as much as possible, because being a New Englander, I know that conditions don’t even compare. 

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