TEG's Favorite Ski Trails
Ski season is almost upon us and we can't wait to hit our favorite trails. While there is a ton of terrain to explore and 16 mountains within the Tahoe Basin, we wanted to call out the classics that are near and dear to our hearts. See you on the slopes!
High T at Palisades Tahoe
Dave Gove is a big fan of High T at Palisades Tahoe (on the Alpine Meadows side) for the sense of adventure. It takes some grit to get out there but you can find powder stashes for days. Access this coveted zone from the top of Summit Express and ski pretty much anywhere it looks good, so long as terrain is safely opened as deemed by ski patrol. If you hike out far enough, you'll end up on the backside where you'll take up Sherwood Express to get in laps on the south facing bowls or head back over to the frontside to do it all over again. Don't forget to soak in the incredible views of Lake Tahoe along your hike out.
Tahoe Donner & Ellis Peak Backcountry
"I could go on with this and it’s a tie. My favorite is either right out my backyard in Tahoe Donner. A beautiful 60-acre meadow allows for a quick exercise on snowshoes or cross-country skis. Convenience has value. My other favorite is Ellis Peak at Alpine and it’s always been worth the hike for the steep untracked terrain." - Mark Lowenstern
Dead Garden at Palisades Tahoe
"Dead Garden, at Palisades Tahoe (Olympic Valley side). It’s a sleeper of a run, in between Dead Tree and Rock Garden. Technical and steep, and doesn’t get a lot of skier action." - Katie Benty
Shirley Lake at Palisades Tahoe
Shirley Lake is located on the backside of Palisades Tahoe (formerly known as Squaw Valley) and is a favorite of Sally Gardner's. It's a perfect area for groomed cruisers, tree skiing when it snows and the open bowl right underneath the chair can have exceptional wind buff if you hit it on the right day. This area is a classic at Palisades Tahoe if the skiing isn't great elsewhere -- you can always head to Shirley for great, consistent runs.