Diamond Peak often is less crowded than the other large Tahoe areas and perfect for families.

Bigger is not always better, nor desirable. For skiers and snowboarders who don't want the expansive terrain of most Lake Tahoe resorts, let us recommend Diamond Peak Ski Resort, a medium-sized but exquisite jewel that destination vacationers too often overlook.

Diamond Peak often is less crowded than the other large Tahoe areas and perfect for families. Visitors repeatedly remark about that this is a very friendly area. Take a camera—the view is beautiful.

With runs knifing down through Ponderosa Pines along a long single ridge, Diamond Peak offers an excellent family mountain where all trails funnel to a single base area. The views down toward the lake are spectacular and the early-morning groomed corduroy alongside powder seems to drop right into the water.

The tougher trails drop from the crest of the ridge traced by Crystal Ridge and the intermediate trails are clustered within sight of the base lodge. Intermediates can't go too far wrong at this resort and advanced skiers will have a good time frolicking at the higher reaches of the resort.

Diamond Peak is only 27 miles from Reno, Nev. This very upscale community is the closest Lake Tahoe ski area to the gambling center. A Hyatt Regency hotel anchors what for the most part makes up the "resort." In reality, this is a small bedroom community with a collection of condos and one casino hotel and a very good mid-sized ski area with great views.

Don't expect to find wild nightlife outside of the Hyatt Casino. The village highlight after the recreation center seems to be the bowling alley with a virtual golf course. If you head further north to the Crystal Bay area or into Reno, you can find plenty of nightlife from playing slots to major floorshows.

The Ski Tahoe North Interchangeable ticket (1 877-949-3296) allows guests to ski/snowboard at Alpine Meadows, Diamond Peak, Homewood, Mt. Rose, Northstar, Squaw Valley and Sugar Bowl and accommodates those looking for the best conditions. There are wind holds on some mountains on some days and snow conditions vary from resort to resort. The ticket is $58 per person, per day for two-or-more-day tickets, is valid all season and doesn't need to be used on consecutive days. Tickets are two-for-one at Homewood and Diamond Peak.

Diamond Peak Ski Resort Facts:

Summit elevation: 8,540 feet
Vertical drop: 1,840 feet
Base elevation: 6,700 feet

Expert: +
Advanced: +++
Intermediate: ++++
Beginner: +++
First-timer: +++

Address: 1210 Ski Way,
Incline Village, NV 89451
Area code: 775
Ski area phone: 832-1177
Snow report: 831-3211
Toll-free reservations:
(800) 468-2463
Fax: 832-1281
E-mail: info@diamondpeak.com
Internet: www.diamondpeak.com

Number of lifts: 6—1 high-speed quad, 2 quads, 3 doubles
Snowmaking: 75 percent
Total acreage: 655 acres
Uphill capacity: 9,800 per hour
Parks & pipes: 1 park
Bed base: 6,000
Nearest lodging: About 1/4 mile away
Resort child care: Yes, 3 years and older
Adult ticket, per day: $48 (07/08)

North Lake Tahoe
Area Facts:

Toll-free reservations:
(888) 434-1262 (North Lake Tahoe);
(800) 468-2463 (Incline Village/Crystal Bay);
(888) 448-7366 (Reno)
Internet: www.mytahoevacation.com (North Lake Tahoe); www.renolaketahoe.com (Reno)
E-mail: info@mytahoevacation.com (North Lake Tahoe)
or info@renolaketahoe.com (Reno)

Dining: +++
Apres-ski/nightlife: ++ (near the lake), ++++ (Reno)
Other activities: +++