Best Ski Resorts for Families in Tahoe

The Tiegel Terrain Park at Lake Tahoe is designed for all those aspiring jibber athletes wanting to learn on small rails, fun boxes and hits, before heading to the more advanced parks. This is the perfect kids terrain park. Tiegel Park Features • 8' Flat Rail • 20' Flat Box • 16' Flat Rail • 3 Rollers. The Tiegel Park is great for getting comfortable catching a little air and slaying a fun box. Once you have Tiegel mastered, Ridge and Kangaroo will be waiting for you!Alpine Meadows offers a wide variety of half-day and full-day lesson options which is just right for kids ages 3-13. Little Mountaineers is a kid's camp for children ages 4-6. A safe, fun learning environment for young skiers, from the absolute beginner to the pint-sized "Hot Shot." Space is limited; advance reservations are required and may be made by calling 530-581-8240. Tahoe Adaptive Ski School has helped thousands of students, of all ages, learn to meet the challenge of skiing with a disability. They've also discovered they can have the time of their lives on the mountain. The Tahoe Adaptive Ski School, headquartered at Alpine Meadows, offers lessons and adaptive equipment rental by appointment only. Call (530) 581-4161.

The Boreal Kids Club is great fun and offers skiing and snowboarding options for all kids ages 4-10 (snowboarding options start at age 6). The Boreal Kids Club is designed for kids of all skiing and boarding abilities. Boreal uses the quick-skills method of teaching that incorporates fun & learning with state-of-the-art equipment. Kids are active, out on the mountain and riding the chairlift. Don't forget, you have the choice for kids ages 6 and over between skiing and snowboarding lessons! And, all children enrolled in Boreal's Kids Club are encouraged to keep their equipment after their program to show off what they've learned to the rest of the family. The equipment is your for the entire day! Reservations are recommended, call (530) 426-3666 ext. 188. Infant Care Center is a non-supervised area with play stations and changing tables and is perfect for moms or dads taking care of a little one. All with a great view of the mountain.

The Bee Ferrato Child Ski Center is for children ages 3-7. With a separate learning area, powerline lift and a low instructor to child ratio of 1:5, your child is sure to receive the attention they deserve in a non-crowded and fun environment. Group lessons are for children 4-7 only. 3 year olds are accepted in private lessons. Free lift tickets are included with all lessons.

Saucer down a machine-groomed snowplay area, perfect for children. Nearby take a high octane snowmobile adventure in the winter backcountry of the Sierra or Ice skate the night or day away at local rinks. Home Base's full, hot breakfast buffet is included with lodging. There's fun for everyone on-site: outdoor heated pool and hot tub, miles of hiking and biking trails (rentals available), and wildlife viewing. Nike Tennis Camp at Granlibakken combines skill development and a Lake Tahoe mountain vacation for juniors and adults - available with or without lodging. Ski School Rates Includes Lift Ticket • 1 Hour Lesson for Ski/Board is $50 for a group of up to 6 people. Private Lesson (1 person, any age) is $65. • Beginner Lesson Rates Includes all-day Lift Ticket and Equipment Rental • (Alpine skis, boots, poles and helmet or snowboard, boots and helmet) • Children under seven must be in a private lesson; four years old is the youngest allowed in a lesson.

Heavenly Village Heavenly Village, located off Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe, is filled with restaurants, shops, galleries and an ice rink. From the Village, you can take Heavenly Gondola up to the mid-station observation deck for a unique view of Lake Tahoe or on up to Tamarack Lodge and the slopes. Tamarack Lodge Located at the top of Heavenly Gondola, Tamarack Lodge is the perfect place to sit back and relax with a yummy cup of hot chocolate, including free refills. The 14,720-square-foot restaurant and lodge offers guests 484 indoor seats, 250 outdoor patio seats, and panoramic views of both the Nevada and California slopes of Heavenly in Lake Tahoe. Ripperoo Parades - January 7-March 24 Each Saturday, until March 24, Ripperoo, Heavenly's loveable mascot, will give children the chance to star in their own parade, as they play music, sing songs, and march through Heavenly Village. The Ripperoo Parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the base of the Gondola and will end with hot chocolate and photos with Ripperoo. Ski/Play Program The Heavenly Ski/Play program is perfect for kids ages 3-4 who are ready for an introduction to skiing. Children participate in a one-hour ski clinic at the "Enchanted Forest," where they will be put into groups of four led by a professional instructor. The remainder of the day will be spent partaking in indoor and outdoor play activities at the day care center. Advance reservations can save you up to $25 off the walk-in price and are encouraged as space is limited. Logon to skiheavenly.com or call 1.800.Heavenly to make a reservation.

Children 10 years and under ski free! Snow Rangers (ages 4-12) In the Snow Rangers Academy your child will have the opportunity to learn new techniques and advance at a comfortable pace. The Snow Rangers program teaches skiing to children aged 4 through 12, and snowboarding to children aged 7 through 12. Reservations can be made by calling direct to: 530-525-2992 x 102 from 8am to 4pm. PRICES • 5 Star VIP All Day (10:00 - 3:00) 3.5 hours on snow training. This new program is for beginner students that excel in a smaller group setting. 5 students per instructor. Available on weekend and holiday periods by reservation only. $140, • All Day (10:00 - 3:00) 3.5 hours on snow training $110 • Half Day (10:00-12:00 or 1:00-3:00) 1.75 hours on snow training $80 • Lunch with all day package

Small Fry Program (2-4 years) Introduce your child to skiing or snowboarding with this 2 hour parent and me program. Mini Rippers (ages 3-4) The Mini Rippers ski/snowplay program is designed specifically to be a fun introduction to the sport for first time skiers and those still refining their beginning skills. Little Rippers (ages 5-6) This program is designed specifically for 5 - 6 year old skiers, providing a fun, safe learning environment for first timers through those wanting to take on all of Kirkwood's legendary terrain. Mountain Explorers (ages 7-12) This program was designed for skiers of this specific age group to help them progress quickly, while staying safe and having fun. Snowboarders - The Burton Groms (ages 5-6) The grom program is set up for the youngest of riders to help them start ripping at an early age. Mountain Explorers (ages 7-12) This program was designed for riders ages 7-12 years old to help them progress quickly, while staying safe and having fun. Are your kids tearing up the whole mountain?? Then the three hour Junior Expedition "All Stars" - skiers & boarders clinic is for you.

At Rosebuds Children's Ski and Snowboard Center the best professional instructors use the latest techniques in a fun, controlled environment. We've also centralized registration, rentals, classroom activities and mountain access on the lower level, Main Lodge. For ages 4-10, snowboarding for ages 7-10. Private lessons available. Helmets provided for all children. Classes filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Subject to Sellout / Availability.

Grab the kids for Northstar’s Family Afternoon Snowshoe Tours this winter season. These tours are a wonderful way to introduce your little ones to the great outdoors in a fun, unintimidating, friendly atmosphere. The tours are open to all ages and will be an easy snowshoe for the whole family. • Northstar has put in two runs full of fun in its Jib and Mineshaft Adventure Parks. • Jib here, jib there, jib everywhere. Jib through this park filled with mini log slides and jibable natural obstacles. Ride the Big Springs Gondola Express or Village Express up to mid-mountain, Arrow Express and Comstock Express or Rendezvous to the Summit of Mt. Pluto. Travel down East Ride to either Powder Bowl or The Flume. The entrance of the Jib Park is immediately to the right after The Flume Trail and Powder Bowl merge. • Ride the Big Springs Gondola Express or Village Express up to mid-mountain. Start at the top of Village Run and travel down Village Run. Look for the Upper Mine Shaft entrance on the right side of Village Run and just before sliding down the second hill. • Northstar California offers Minors' Camp licensed childcare and outdoor play for non-skiing children ages 2 - 6. Don't worry about your child being potty-trained because at Minor's Camp, they don't need to be. Minors' Camp will keep the little ones busy all day long with lots of fun activities, so they won't miss their parents for a second. • For little skiers and snowboarders, explore our variety of award-winning children's learning programs for kids ages 3+ offered by the Northstar Ski + Snowboard School.

Resort at Squaw Creek will once again offer a package popular with families traveling to Lake Tahoe during winter. For travel dates between January 8 and April 12, 2012, the ski-in, ski-out resort is releasing the “Kid’s Ski, Skate and Sled Free” package offering up to two children 12-and-under per guest room or suite a daily free lift ticket to Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, free skate rentals and ice skating on the resort’s ice rink, free sledding on the resort’s groomed sled hill, and a children’s welcome amenity.

Sierra-at-Tahoe® Resort's on-mountain themed adventure zones feature terrain elements such as rollers, mini jumps and banked turns that keep children entertained, while signage and animated characters educate them on local history and animal species. • The Bear Cave - Our native Black Bear, Bigler, hibernates here during the winter. Be careful not to wake him up or you'll hear a fierce roar! • Gold Rush - See the mineshaft full of gold! Be careful to avoid the shooting bandits as you make your way around the banked turns and through the old town. Black Bart is on the loose, can you help us find him? • Pony Express - Little riders will love galloping over the rollers, past horses and riders carrying the mail, to the Pony Express station. Sound effects make you feel like you’re on the Pony Express trail. Kids in lessons can even use the Pony Express to send themselves a postcard! • Teepee Town - Located at the base of Grandview Express, Teepee Town’s trails wind through the trees and past Native American teepees. Sound effects and smoke signals enhance the experience.

Lift tickets include access to all lifts, snowtubing tows, snowshoeing trails, and sledding area. Note: 2 hour tubing ticket is only valid on tubing tows. Two lifts access several flumes and loads of tubing fun for the entire family. On the Tube Express gear up for an action packed ride through twists and banked turns on one of four flumes. Or take it easy on the new Little Dipper where children and families enjoy slower paced tubing excitement. Children are welcome on tubing tows at a minimum of 3 years and/or 42" tall. Please call in advance.

Squaw Valley offers full day group kids lessons for all abilities ages 3 to 13. For the 3 and 4 year-olds, Squaw offers a morning session too. Squaw also offer children's private lessons. Squaw Kids Local Mountain Camp focuses on All Mountain Skiing in a safe and fun environment. Ages 4-12 year old from 9am to 2:30pm. There are just as many things to to keep the grown ups and kids busy off the mountain as there are on the mountain. This year, Squaw introduces the new SnoVentures center featuring new and expanded activities for kids and families. The SnoVentures center will offer new mini snowmobiles for kids and enhanced snow tubing, all conveniently located at the base of the Lake Tahoe resort. In addition, SnoVentures will offer dog sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for guests of all ages.