Top 3 Ski Resorts in Lake Tahoe for Beginners

This video highlights and ranks the top 3 ski areas in the lake tahoe region for beginners. Ski Travel Guide Galen Bradford, a 6+ year ski patroller at Palisades Tahoe walks you through his opinion on which resorts to choose and shortlist for your next trip if you are a beginner skier or snowboarder and skiing in the lake tahoe region.

Top 3 Resorts in Lake Tahoe: Ranked

Northstar California Resort, Truckee:

Reasons:
- Northstar is well-known for its top-notch ski school and expansive beginner terrain. The resort offers a variety of green runs that are groomed to perfection. The "Magic Carpet" surface lifts are great for first-timers, allowing them to practice without the intimidation of larger lifts.
- Northstar is not just about the skiing, it is about the full experience of being in the mountains at a luxury resort. The amenities at Northstar are top notch, it is a mini version of Whistler in the sense that there is a central village and you can walk to shopping, restaurants, ice-skating and all sorts of Apres. There is a lot more happening at Northstar than just learning to ski, and if you take in the whole experience it sets up the newbie skiers for a successful trip.

Boreal Mountain Resort, Soda Springs:

Reasons:
- Boreal has a dedicated beginner area with easy-to-use lifts. It is much smaller than Northstar and does not have a village. On the top of Donner Pass, Boreal is an easy drive from Truckee or from Sacramento and the bay area. It is possible to do a day trip here rather than staying overnight in the Tahoe basin.
- The resort often has promotions and deals specifically for beginners, making it an affordable option for those just starting out. Their "Take 3, Ride FREE" program is designed to help beginners progress over multiple visits.
- Night skiing and Riding, Boreal is one of the only resorts with lights, allowing for more hours to practice!

Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley:

Reasons:
- Though renowned for its advanced and expert terrain, Palisades also boasts excellent beginner areas. The ski school is comprehensive, and there are several gentle slopes at the base of the mountain perfect for novices.
- There is a village area and great food and Apres
- The beginner area is actually world class in the sense that it is separate from all the other runs. Palisades has a tram that accesses multiple beginner only terrain at the top of the mountain. The elevation is high and the snow is usually better than other resorts where the beginner areas are at the bottom. At Palisades, the majority of the beginner terrain is at the upper mountain.