Mt. Rose
22222 Mt. Rose Highway, Reno, NV 89511; 775-849-0704
Internet: www.mtrose.com

SNOW REPORT | EVENTS & PROGRAMS

At the top of the mountain along the road from Reno to Lake Tahoe, sits one of America’s undiscovered gems, Mt. Rose. This area has long been the mountain of choice for Reno natives who can reach the slopes in abour a half hour. In the past, it was a collection of enjoyable cruising and beginner trails that caught the early-morning sun and then the last rays of the sun on the other side of the mountain. All of that still remains, but the super-steep north-facing chutes, which recently opened, have changed the reputation of this mountain. These chutes have put Mt. Rose on the map

Today Mt. Rose now has perhaps the largest selection of lift-served steep terrain in the country. This is the real thing, but with an escape valve. There are few places in the ski world where these kinds of steeps are side-by-side with rolling cruisers. From the top of the Northwest Magnum six-pax, skiers and riders have choices to drop into the steep and deep, head to the east or to the west.

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



Mountain layout
Expert Advanced: The opening of The Chutes in the 2003-04 season with their 40-55 degree pitches have put Mt. Rose on the map. These double-diamond steeps are long but most importantly, now accessible. The 16 chutes, which used to be out of bounds, all drop down to the Chuter quad, which then delivers skiers and riders to the the East Bowl where the Blazing Zephyr six-pax takes them back to the top where they can drop in again. Since they're north-facing, the chutes get no sun until spring so the snow hangs in there late in the season.

The Chutes are steepest on the eastern side. Start with Nightmare. If you can handle that move over to Chaos. El Cap and Jackpot are considered two of the toughest fall lines.If you ski the chutes when the gates are closed, you lose your ticket.

Intermediate: This is a wonderful area for intermediates. The Slide side (eastern side and named for a huge land slide in '82) of the mountain has delightfully long cruisers that inspire song. Though some of the trails are marked with diamonds, there is nothing here that will get any intermediate in trouble. Swing to the far eastern runs such as South Rim and Washoe Zephyr. Cruise down Big Bonanza and Bruce’s. Bash your way straight down the face along Silver Dollar. No matter what route you ski or ride, it will be about 1,500 feet of non-stop vertical.

Later in the day after the sun has softened up the eastern side, head to the west. Take the Kit Carson Traverse over to Ramsey’s and the Kit Carson Bowl. Any confident intermediate can drop into one of a half-dozen black-diamond trails. When groomed, they are smooth and easy, when bumped up, it will take a little more time to get down, but none are dangerous.

Beginner & First-timer: Beginners have a secluded area to the far west section (skier's left) of the resort. Take the Ponderosa lift then the Galena lift to a web of trails that serve as great learning terrain. North Rim, Galena, Bronco, Mustang and Ski Off are all good beginner trails. Nearby there are runs that go through the trees.Sky Tavern, a smaller day hill down the road from Mt. Rose, is owned by the city and is a great place for kids and other beginners to learn. It's quite a bit cheaper and frequented by the locals.

Ride Guide: The resort’s terrain features attract boarders at every skill level, from first-timers to the most advanced. This is an excellent resort for riders who are ready to test themselves in the Chutes.

Parks and pipes (click on the map to the left to enlarge)
There are two terrain parks. Double Down, a massive one on the east side under the Zephyr lift with many hits, spines and jumps. The second park, Badlands, is a smaller park on the Little Red Bowl off Fremont.

Lessons (07/08 prices)
Group lessons: Lessons are one hour and a half long. Cost is $39 (ski or snowboard). Sessions start at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m..

First-timer package: $49 includes equipment and lift ticket for the green runs. Lessons begin at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Arrive a good hour early to gear up. The one-stop setup is located on the lower level of the Main Lodge.

Private lessons: $59–$69 an hour, depending on the time you take your lesson. Each additional person costs $59.

KidStuff (06/07 prices)
Child care: There is no nursery program.

Children’s lessons: The Rosebuds Ski and Snowboard Camp teaches children how to turn the mountain into their playgrouns. Children ages 4–10 can take ski lessons and those ages 7–10 can take snowboard lessons.

A two-hour session costs $55 and a full day is $110. This includes lift ticket and rental equipment. Class levels range from turtles who have never skied or boarded, to squirrels who can stop, to foxes who can turn, to bears who are confident on all blue trails.

Private lessons cost $90 for an hour and $60 for each additional person or hour.

Lift tickets (07/08 prices)
Adult (18-59) Child (6–12) Young Adult (13-17)
Half day $48$17 $42
One day $62 $17 $42
Who skis free: Ages 5 and younger; Seniors 75 and older midweek non-holiday.
Who skis at a discount: Seniors (60–74) pay $42. Holiday rates are higher: 11/23/07 - 11/26/07; 12/26/07 - 01/01/08; 01/19/08 - 01/21/08; 02/16/08 - 02/18/08.

FOOD ON THE MOUNTAIN

Timbers bar in the Mt. Rose lodge serves typical pub fare. On special days, weekends and holidays, they open a taco bar where the favorites are carnitos, nachos grandes, chicken burritos and a design-your-own dish. The adjacent Lodge Pole Cafe serves cafeteria food - salads, sandwiches, soups and hot specials. There is also an espresso bar right indside the lodge door.

Accommodations–Mt. Rose

The hotel base for Mt. Rose is Reno, about a half hour drive away. Reno is no longer the half-awake cowboy gambler's town it used to be. It's also no longer considered as the quickie divorce capital of America, although you can still get a divorce here. During the 1990s, the city made renovations downtown to refurbish old buildings, add street artwork and develop recreational attractions and is still working on improvements. The town fathers took a train that went through the main section of downtown which stopped traffic causing long waits and put it under the streets. It has made a huge difference in traffic flow in the downtown sector.

During the winter, you can ice skate on a large outdoor rink, visit a world-class automobile museum and enjoy concerts and plays in a thriving arts community. Reno has chain motels, multistory casino-hotels and lots in between. Reno's airport has many nonstop and direct flights, and the city also is served by Amtrak's California Zephyr, which runs from the San Francisco Bay to Chicago.

Circus Circus (800-648-5010; 775-329-0711), Silver Legacy (800-687-8733; 775-325-7401) and El Dorado (800-6485966; 775-786-5700) are three casino resort hotels connected by an enclosed and connected shopping and restaurant mall. The mall forms a "T" shape, with Silver Legacy at the base of the T, Circus Circus to the left and El Dorado to the right. Any of these hotels is a good choice for a group that has some non-skiers, since there is so much to do without ever having to brave icy sidewalks. In the Silver Legacy's lobby, don't miss the ostentatious display of silver and crystal items once owned by Sam Fairchild, "the wealthiest silver baron Nevada has ever seen."

The Grand Sierra Resort & Casino (800-501-2651; 775-789-2000) used to be the Reno Hilton and is still so new, it retains some vestiges of the old hotel, such as the Reno Hilton evacuation notices on the backs of the doors and Hilton guest books on the coffee tables. The Grand Sierra is another great place to stay if not everyone in your group skis, because its enclosed shopping area has not only shops and eateries, but also a movie theater with four screens showing first-run movies, a bowling alley with 50 lanes, a ski shop, gym, spa and hair salon. The hotel has three outstanding fine-dining restaurants -- the Steak House, Asiana and Dolce - as well as more casual places to grab a bite. In the next two years the resort plans to add an indoor water park and an outdoor water fountain show like the one at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

The rooms at Grand Sierra are huge, with lots of floor space for ski and snowboard paraphernalia. The bathrooms are a little outdated, with shower heads at short-people height and faucet knobs that twist the opposite way you think they should. But during two visits in January, 2007, workers were busy all over the hotel with renovation projects, so those bathrooms may be soon brought up to speed.

Inspired by the old Italian city in Tuscany, Siena Hotel Spa Casino (877-743-6233; 775-327-4362) is Reno's only boutique hotel. It sits along the Truckee River in downtown Reno, a tranquil setting in an otherwise busy city. Thanks to the owner's love of art, you'll find interesting pieces scattered throughout the property. Flags of the Contrada (regions in Tuscany that participate in the famous horserace Il Palio) fly in the casino and adorn the walls of the elegantly understated room decor. Turn-down service includes different cordials and sweet treats each evening which are far beyond a piece of chocolate. Each room has free Internet connection, TV and a fridge. Siena has three restaurants—Lexie's on the River for fine dining, Contrada Cafe for casual fare - excellent breakfasts, and Enoteca, a sexy wine bar with live jazz. The award-winning Spa at Siena (775-321-5868) offers customized treatments from 9 am to 9 pm every day.

Silver Legacy Resort Casino (1-800-687-8733 or 775-325-7401) in the heart of downtown sports a lush Victorian theme. It has six restaurants of all levels and plenty of nightlife and entertainment as well.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget (800-648-1177) in Sparks, sits off by itself, but features a wonderful Basque restaurant, Orozko, as well as Trader Dick’s with a Polynesian theme.

Peppermill Casino (800-648-6992; 775-826-2121) is in the part of Reno closest to Mt. Rose and in the center of the city's shopping district. Starting as a coffee shop in 1971, it's now one of the largest family-owned hotel casinos in the country with more than 1,100 rooms and suites, eight restaurants, 14 themed bars and a waterfall pool.

Atlantis Casino (800-723-6500) has a spa, wonderful buffet restaurants, a great seafood place and wonderful sushi on the Sky Terrace.

While in Reno, check out the National Automobile Museum: The Harrah Collection, 10 S. Lake St. in Reno, has more than 200 classic and antique automobiles. It is considered to be one of the top auto museums in the United States and includes autos such as the 1907 Thomas Flyer, winner of the 22,000-mile 1908 New York-to-Paris race, the 1949 James Dean Mercury from the movie "Rebel Without A Cause" and Elvis Presley's 1973 Cadillac. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for ages 62 and older, $3 for ages 6 to 18, and free for ages 5 and younger.

All of these properties have ski and snowboard packages and all are served by a shuttle bus that brings skiers and riders to Mt. Rose. Lift and shuttle cost $63. Buses leave the major hotels to arrive at Mt. Rose at either 9 or 11 a.m. CHECK THE SCHEDULE.

CLICK HERE FOR LODGING SPECIALS

Dining and Nightlife

Dining in Reno ranges from the casino restaurants that are run by top chefs from around the country to traditional family-style Basque restaurants. Check out the Santa Fe (775-323-1891) and Louis’ Basque Corner (775-323-7203) for two of the most famous. We suggest lunch at Louis’ and dinner at the Santa Fe.