Half the skiers in northern California learned to ski at Donner Ski Ranch. While this is not a big mountain and you’re not going to find challenging terrain here, with great tubing and sledding options plus $10 all-day passes for kids 6 and under it’s an excellent place for families with young learners.

After a few bleak, snow-less years, Homewood returned to its former glory in 2016. This small, family-friendly resort is a great spot to teach kids to ski, and also offers the best Lake Tahoe views of any Tahoe resort. You want find the verticals or variety here to compare with the larger resorts, but the trade-off is short lift lines,...

Ask most Tahoe locals (especially on the Nevada side) where they take their families to ski and most will say Mount Rose. In addition to very family-friendly lift ticket prices in the winter (kids 5 and under are $15, and those 6-15 can ski and ride for just $29 a day), it’s a fantastic place to hike in summer as...

As North America’s largest cross-country ski resort, Royal Gorge boasts 330 km and 90 groomed trails, which vary from scenic and meandering to mountainous and difficult. It has been the site of the U.S. National Championships for cross-country skiing and is a world-renowned resort for cross-country enthusiasts. But you needn’t be an expert to enjoy Royal Gorge. In addition to several...

Nestled in the woods in South Lake Tahoe, this Olympic-size indoor ice arena is a great spot any time of year, whether you want some winter fun out on the rink or need to escape the summer heat. The snack bar serves up some pretty decent food, plus a couple of beers on tap. If you’re hoping to skate, just...

The resort that introduced the world to Lake Tahoe, during the 1960 Olympics, Squaw is still one of — if not the — top resorts in the area thanks to its steep mountains, long runs and number of lifts. It also remains a local favorite, despite some recent complaints over its proposal to dramatically expand its village, adding many more...