Stay and Ski packages at nearby codos save families money (800–949–3296). Free shuttle buses connect skiers with lodings on the West and North Shores.
Priding itself on the longest ski season, Alpine is known for its laid-back, casual atmosphere. Intermediate and advanced ski runs have scary names like Chute That Seldom Slides, Promised Land, and Our Father.Kids are VIPs at Kid’s School and Ski Camp. On the Sun Kid beginner surface lift,children just step onto a slow conveyor
belt with their equipment on, avoiding the sometimes intimidating chair lift until they are ready for it. Designed for little shredders, the Tiegel Terrain Park features are modified versions of the main park, with rollers, banked turns and quarter pipes, mini table tops, and a Tuga Tunnel, accessed by a poma surface lift right at the base lodge. Programs for all ages are offered for racing, snowboarding, telemark, freestyle, and just plain skiing.
I've been skiing in northern California for 25 years and Alpine Meadows is one of my favorite Tahoe ski resorts. It has always been a great place for families. I loved visiting with my family growing up and now I love taking my husband and kids. I took advantage of the parent pass Alpine offers. You can buy one ticket and share it with someone else. I set up camp in the family area of the lodge (indoor play structure, play tables, cartoons on the tv) to watch my infant for the morning while my mom skiied. After lunch, I skiied while my mom watched the baby. We were there on a weekday and had the family area of the lodge pretty much to ourselves, so my little guy was even able to take naps in our Phil & Ted tent bed I set up for him in the corner. I like this option so much better than sticking him in daycare.