What To Expect At Tahoe Ski Resorts For The 2025/26 Winter Season
By: Sam Pinsky
By: Sam Pinsky
Winter is never far away when you’re high up in the Sierra Nevada, and our resorts are bringing the fun back with expanded services and shorter wait times.
If you’ve been dreaming about snagging first-chair on a powder day or plan to head out with the family for a vacation that makes you wonder if you are in a real-life Hallmark movie, there’s no destination quite like South Lake Tahoe. Find out what’s new and what to expect at Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts this upcoming 2025/2026 season.
Friday, November 21st is the target Opening Day at Heavenly Ski Resort, marking the beginning of the 2025-2026 Lake Tahoe ski and ride season!
This is the 70th anniversary season at Heavenly. Upcoming events include The Toyota Air and Après event, tentatively scheduled for February 28 – March 2, promises an action-packed experience. The resort will construct an impressive 45-foot jump at the base of a World Cup trail. Expect professional athletes to astound with their gravity-defying tricks under the mountain’s illuminated night sky. The Celebrity Banked Slalom, tentatively scheduled for Easter Sunday, April 5.
Coming back for the 2025/26 season is a membership program called “My Epic Gear,” which provides access to high-quality ski and snowboard equipment and premium valet services. They are also adding a new nine-week Adult Development Team program aims to connect intermediate and advanced skiers while refining their skills.
This season, the Ski & Ride School will offer lessons in ten languages, and a new restaurant concept, Golden State Kitchen, will feature healthier menu options.
Introducing Epic Friend Tickets for season-long passholders that provide 50 percent off lift tickets.
Beyond that, Heavenly is committed to sustainability. It participated in a local ban on single-use plastic bottles and is transitioning to aluminum for all Pepsi products.
For those seeking a different experience, Brews and Views will offer monthly gatherings beginning in December at Lakeview Lodge. These events will feature breathtaking Lake Tahoe vistas, culinary delights, music, and beer tastings from local breweries.
Heavenly Resort will continue with a reservation-based parking system for winter 2025/2026. Click this link for more details.
If you are new to Heavenly, it can seem daunting to navigate the four base lodges, with two in California and two in Nevada. Click here for the basics, including where to park, shuttle bus services, and how to access the mountain.
Events and freeride competitions return this season including the Winter Solstice Kickoff Party, New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, Women’s Weekend, Proud to Be Me Week, Banked Slalom, Slush Cup, IFSA competitions, and the Freeride World Qualifier 2.
Kirkwood is continuing their reservations-based parking program to improve guest arrival and reduce congestion on weekends and peak days. This initiative will feature free, paid, and complimentary carpool parking options until noon.
Sustainability remains a priority, with plans to enhance food waste digesters, improve waste sorting, and implement automated dumpster sensors to minimize landfill contributions.
Kirkwood is known for deep powder and runs for even the most avid enthusiast to test their mettle.
Clear your calendar, call your friends, shout it from the mountain tops: Opening Day is officially Friday, November 28, 2025! Conditions permitting. Temps are dropping and it’s time to start digging out your gear because winter is just around the corner.
Sierra-at-Tahoe has harnessed the power of nature, reshaping the mountain to introduce expansive bowl skiing. Last year, they joined the Ikon Pass. In addition, they’ve got great terrain for beginners, making it a perfect spot, whether you’re new to the sport or bringing along a friend who’s ready to see what it’s all about.
Two new trails will open in West Bowl this season, plus more learning terrain off Easy Rider Express and expanded terrain park zones in The Aspens and Upper Main.
Sierra’s newest Avalanche Dog, Yuki, joins the resort’s skier safety efforts, and weekly live music returns in the Sierra Pub, along with signature events including Subaru Winterfest, Vans Methodology, the Sierra Playgrounds Party and more.
Two new TechnoAlpin snowmaking fan guns will aid early-season snow coverage on Easy Rider and snowmaking in the Aspen Terrain Park pod throughout the season.
Click here for Heavenly lift tickets
Plan your trip to Kirkwood here
Get your lift tickets to Sierra-at-Tahoe here
Stay a While
Lodging in Lake Tahoe