Mountain Layout—Skiing

Sierra-at-Tahoe spreads its terrain across two peaks. Sometimes it can be somewhat confusing trying to get back and forth, but eventually you'll get used to it. If all else fails, both peaks funnel traffic back down to the base area.

Here's a larger, more detailed trail map.

Expert, Advanced: Not too much an advanced skier cant handle here, although its wise to ask about current conditions and be confident on inbounds, ungroomed blacks before heading to Huckleberry. On Huckleberry, ask for directions to the Golf Course, where the Upper and Lower Nines have well-spaced trees and a less-intimidating pitch. Forget trails. Head for the trees, particularly on a powder day. In West Bowl, the trees between Horsetail and Clipper hold almost unlimited stashes. When you hit the lift line, don't bail. Head back into the trees on the other side for a secret area of more untracked, creamy powder. The terrain around the Grandview Express gets tracked quickly, but you can still find fun in the trees between Preacher's Passion and the Tahoe King lift. It's steep and littered with giant boulders that, when covered with 10 feet of snow, resemble giant gnomes. Consider it nature's terrain park. Higher up, dive into the trees before Upper Dynamite. An opening referred to as Daylight Chute isn't on the map. Five backcountry access gates were recently opened and this is still one of the resort's best-kept secrets. You can find fresh powder here a week after a storm. Access is free with the purchase of a lift ticket and guided tours are available daily. For advanced skiers, Sierra-at-Tahoe has a good collection of bumped-up black-diamond trails off the Grand View Express. Eastabout, Castle, Preacher's Passion and Dynamite all cascade roughly 1,300 vertical feet. Also try Clipper and Horsetail in the West Bowl. [TOP]

Intermediate: This is a wonderful area for intermediates. West Bowl will fast become the favorite area of the mountain for this level. Lower Main is a steep, groomed run that rises above the day lodge. It's gotta be the toughest blue run here. If you see this trail and gulp, don't worry. Fun awaits in West Bowl. The Backside is another good spot for intermediates looking to test their powder skills. Intermediates are in for a treat in West Bowl. Powderhorn is a leisurely carpet ride wrapping around the resort’s periphery. Pyramid parallels it. Both are wide, with plenty of space to negotiate steeper sections. Dogwood to Beaver wraps around the east side of the bowl. If you’re confident on these trails, consider Horsetail, if it’s groomed. It has the same fall line, but is narrower. Off Grandview, play on the trails in The Circuit—Coyote, mokey and Lobo, where most of the mountain’s terrain parks are located, or drop down Upper Snowshoe to Lower Snowshoe, Shortswing or Hemlock. [TOP]

Beginner, First-timer: Sugar 'n' Spice is a 2.5-mile, easy cruise from the summit. Ride the Grand View Express chair and take a moment to look at the view of the lake (much better on the roof deck of the Grand View Grill). As you descend Sugar 'n' Spice, stay a good distance from the snowbank on the left edge of the run, especially when it gets to be head-high. Hot shots like to shoot out of the trees between this run and Upper Snowshoe. Fortunately, Sugar 'n' Spice is plenty wide. Stay to the middle or the right and give the idiots some room. Upper Snowshoe is another good beginner run, but be sure to turn right at Marten to meet up with Sugar 'n' Spice, or you'll be on Lower Snowshoe, a blue run. Another chair that serves good beginner terrain is Rock Garden. This is a great learner's mountain. Sierra-at-Tahoe has a super learning slope called Broadway, right at the day lodge and served by its own quad chair. [TOP]