How have I never reviewed this place? It's our home resort and we love going here so much. If you…read moreare mostly about the skiing, and then relaxing, this is the place for you. It has plenty of intermediate and advanced slopes, off-piste runs, long blues and wide bowls. I don't do them as much but my husband enjoys the powder and tree runs, and there are a couple terrain parks. For beginners it's mixed: there a two base areas, one that is better suited for absolute beginners (Timber Creek) that has a lodge, magic carpet, and 2 beginner lifts. The other base area (Kirkwood Village) is better for more advanced beginners and intermediates, but does have one beginner lift (Snowkirk). Just make sure there's enough snow that everything is running (e.g. maybe not right now as spring conditions mean snow is melting fast and things are closing.) There's a resort shuttle that runs around the valley between base areas and various accommodations. Who is Kirkwood NOT good for: nightlife enthusiasts, fashionistas, foodies who can't cook or didn't bring their own food. There is NO shopping (just one general store with high prices limited hours), limited dining options (mostly during the day), and not much nightlife (two bars during the day and one at night.) There are some dining options 10-20 minute drives away, including one very good restaurant with a view (Caples Lake Resort) but be prepared for crowds on busy nights. Generally we stay in our condo and cook (and bring all our own food due to lack of grocery shopping.) If you are prepared and are staying near/on the mountain (can't get closer than The Mountain Club! literally ski in/ski out), it's a great place to ski and stay. If you are looking for more shopping/nightlife/dining out, go fight the crowds in Tahoe. We love it here and recommend it fully!

My husband and I have boarded at Kirkwood many times over the years and always had a great…read moreexperience so now that our kids are older (13,9,7) we wanted to bring them with us to try snowboarding for the first time. My 13 year old daughter and 14 year old nephew went on the bunny hill with my husband and brother to learn and it was the perfect terrain for their level. I signed my 7 & 9 year old up for the ski school and their teacher was JEAN who was just AMAZING. She was so patient and kid and taught the kids skills and essentials to they easily mastered their first lesson and beyond exceeded my expectations! Customer service wise Kirkwood staff were all awesome. I wrongly thought they had tubing because or google but found out when I got there that was NOT true. They were able to squeeze my 2 little ones into lessons that afternoon from 1:15-3:45 and that included all the gear they needed, a lunch, access to the lifts, and that ran me $630 total for 2 kids. My adult and teen tickets I bought for my husband and brother and 2 older kids were over the phone and their customer service was also amazing. We were not able to make it on our reserved day and they let us change to the next day, no hassle. We just had to go in person to the ticket booth and tell them and they changed them for us. Parking situation. You have to reserve parking before had. We pre-paid $20 for the orange lot and we were able to park right by the entrance, and we got there around 11:30am. Right now the cabin/lounge area near those lifts is under construction but there is a free shuttle that comes every 15-minutes to drive you just 2 minutes up the road to the other location that has more ski lifts and lots of places to eat. Once here I got some hot chocolate and chicken chili nachos at THE WALL, and both of them were BOMB and I love going places to eat so I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food, and for only $18 the portions were huge and me & my sister shared and still couldn't finish. We wanted to go back and try more things but everything was closed by 4:00pm, so eat early or you have to drive a ways after do.

My family and I visited in late-February and this was my first time ever skiing and my first visit…read moreto Lake Tahoe, and overall I had a great experience at Sierra at Tahoe. Full disclaimer: as a complete beginner, I stayed on the Easy Rider lift and learning hill both days, so I can't speak to the more advanced runs. But as a place to learn, it felt like a great starting point. The scenery is beautiful, the mountain has a relaxed vibe, and most of the staff I interacted with were friendly and helpful. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is an incident at the lift. While I was waiting at the red line to load the chair, a skier sat down in the chair when he wasn't supposed to. The lift attendants didn't catch it in time, and when the chair came around I ended up sitting directly on top of him while trying to load. My skis got stuck and it created a pretty awkward situation. The lift was eventually stopped, but it felt like it took longer than it should have for the operators to notice. Thankfully no one was hurt, but it did seem like the lift attendants could have been paying closer attention during loading. Aside from that, it was a really fun first skiing experience and the resort itself is beautiful. I'd definitely come back next season and hopefully try more of the mountain beyond the beginner area.

Staff was friendly everywhere we went, from the shop to the ticket booth and even at the lifts…read more Everyone was helpful and welcoming, which really sets the tone for the day. Our family had a blast. The kids took snowboard lessons and had a great experience. I spent time teaching my wife on the bunny slopes and Sugar & Spice, which were perfect for learning and building confidence. Snow conditions were packed powder in the morning and got a bit icy toward late afternoon, which is pretty typical. Overall, a fun, well-run mountain with a great family vibe. We'll definitely be back.

Great staff, and wanted to call out 1 gentleman in particular who went the extra mile on opening…read moreday. Mike Berberich in rentals helped my son with his ski boots which we didn't even rent at Heavenly! He treated him like his customer even though he wasn't, getting on his knees to squeeze my son's foot into a tight boot that we had struggled with for almost an hour before seeking help from staff. Would give Heavenly 5 stars, but a pet peeve of mine is there are boarders who play their music loudly on speakers while riding the slopes. I've also smelled weed and saw vaping on the mountain as well. This was on opening day, which might attract a certain crowd. Other days seemed a bit better (saw more ski patrol) Wish Heavenly staff would police all this more. Or even charge more for Epic passes (don't hate me) to cater to a more family-friendly crowd. I would categorize Heavenly as a resort for young people, which is not the Heavenly I remember before Vail took it over. But great staff like Mike make it worthwhile!

2 of 2 Yelp Reviews…read more We were Heavenly customers before Vail Resorts bought them in March of 2002. Our season pass also applies to Northstar, acquired in October 2010, and Kirkwood, acquired in April 2012. I am very happy with all the acquisitions; I feel I am getting a better value from my season pass. But now that I am a loyal Mt Rose customer, it gets harder and harder to come to the Vail/Epic resorts... Quality/Quantity - My favorite lifts and runs are at Heavenly Ski Resort. And more specifically, at the Stagecoach lift!! Long lift, long run, less people. Too bad the season is over and the NV side is closed. And due to the poor season and lack of snow, we needed to shuttle from the Sky/Canyon lift to the Gondola chairs (Dipper and Comet lifts)?!?! Lastly, the Tamarack lift opened half an hour late, not until 9:30am! Today was my worst day at Heavenly EVER!! Two seasons ago, I broke my vertical record with my daughter!! And on a Sunday! Ambiance - See above. Public paid parking lots. But today, my wife dropped me off and went to the lake house to relax. Well to check on the property. Open 7 days a week from 9am to 4pm. Service - Plenty of employees today, thank you. Price - I have a season pass. But due to the poor season and me being too lazy to drive an hour to ski, I have only used it once. This was one expensive day! I will probably not renew my pass for next season... Sadly. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your successes with your 42 resorts in 3 countries. Look forward to skiing as many of your properties as possible.

We had a gala of time over 3 days. First day was Snow tubing…read more(they were not open for sledding)... while it was crowded being the 2nd day after the first snowfall of hte season, it was fine. The kicker was that they gave a 50% off Learn to Ski package (cross-country skiing) which saved us several $$$ the next few days. Not only did cross-country skiing was fun (first time for us), the instructors were very patient and effective. The 2nd day I went (on a Monday morning), my group lesson became Private lesson as I was the only on in the class. Even more savings :-) The Warming Hut cafe is a great touch after doing some trails. The food was great here. The tracks for cross-country skiing was kept up. Our entire group (multiple kids and adults) had a great time. Weather was good as well as a bonus.

It was a toss up between BV or Leland's...after reading the reviews for Leland's, I opted for BV…read more It was my kids first time in the snow and I didn't want them to have a horrible crowded first experience. We had to leave early because I wanted to be there close to opening time if 9am, we got there around 10am and there were plenty of parking spots and tubes for the kids to ride. For 6 people, 4 tube rentals for 2hrs it cost me $160. At Leland's I would've paid $240. It was a pleasant experience. The staff was very friendly and seemed genuinely happy doing their job. We had so much fun, the kids were whooped after the two hrs. At first I don't think that two hrs would be enough, but it was perfect. It's an honor system for the amount of time you use the tubes, don't be the one who tries to use them all day. There are a lot of people coming into the park at all times of the mid morning. 2 1/2hes is more than plenty to wear the little ones out. We will definitely be back and would recommend Bear Valley Adventure Co to anyone who has kids.

I've been to the Village for tubing and snow play, this was my first time at the resort because my…read morekids were taking snowboarding lessons. The cost for lessons is comparable to other places, and somewhat of a good deal as it also includes a lift ticket. The lesson itself was less than two hours, so I wish they had a half-day lesson for this age group (13+). That being said, after the first lesson my kids were able to get on a lift for the easiest run and practice on their own. The process for parking, checking in, and rentals was STRESSFUL. Get there early!! The resort itself is kind of MEH. We came during one of the holiday dates (literally when else do folks come as we all have work and school) and it was over-crowded and kind of gross. Food was tragic, and over-priced. Leave food in your car and go eat in your car, it's that bad. I'd come again for my kids, but would arrive as early as possible with a big breakfast.

You can tell that Bear Valley is a ski area that time has left behind. It's not on any major ski…read morepass systems, and the day lodge is dated and run down. Flashiness is not their thing - The entrance to the lodge from parking looked like the back door to a grade school, so for a minute we were worried we had gone the wrong way. It didn't help that the info on the website was so poor we knew nothing about the lodge - like if they had food (they did), or lockers, or a store, etc. (Turns out they do have lockers but they no longer work). The only "modern" touch since my last visit (15 years ago) was the addition of RFID lift tickets (used on the main lifts at the bottom). The vibe here during our Friday visit was: small town; locals and families. There had been 6 inches of overnight snow (with more still falling), so several groups had come up for the day from nearby towns in the Central Valley. There was also a lift ticket deal that day ($30 off when you buy two), but it was not advertised on the website, nor at the ticket area (just some unexplained jargon on a sign near rentals). My friend N and I were on different morning routines so we bought our tickets at separate times and missed out on the deal. We only found out later - Very annoying. Apparently we had to be "in the know" to take advantage. On the plus side, each adult lift ticket was pretty inexpensive for the Sierras ($135 in Spring 2024). The food situation here was the worst I've ever seen at any ski area, anywhere. We had intentionally returned very late to the day lodge to miss the main lunch crowd (Note: It's the only place with food on the mountain). But there was still an incredibly long, slow line to order. The offerings were meager (mostly fried-up frozen food), and they were under-staffed by a sullen crew who were cooking most items to order, one burger and chicken sandwich at a time. Just stupid. When we saw this, my friend and I opted for a yogurt, a bag of chips, and a bag of cookies to tide us over. I also had a snack bar in my pocket - But god forbid that they find me with outside food; there were signs everywhere stating this was verboten. (Note: If I'm ever at BV again, my future self will be putting a sandwich in my pack and eating it off-piste in some secret alcove). Other oddness. All lodging, including a ski lodge/hotel, is on the opposite side of the mountain and only available by shuttle. A few ski runs went down that way, but there were no lifts to get back. Turned out we were staying in that lodging area, but we didn't know exactly where the runs terminated; the map was too vague. Again, it appears you have to be in the know. In short, I found Bear Valley to be a below-average (a.k.a. 2-star) ski area. But it turns out they're in luck, because the snow on that day was so fluffy and fun that - despite all the negatives - I had one of the best ski days I've had in awhile. So I'll level-up for that.

Amazing lessons for first time adult skiers! Decided to try to learn how to ski after all these…read moreyears, the beginner group lesson at dodge was my 1st lesson, and since having taken more classes at other resorts, I can say it was the most informative lesson(and least expensive) I had. It gave me the confidence, tips and tricks to pick skiing up at my first lesson! I am not athletic by any means, but learning at dodge has now provided me with a hobby I have loved for 8 years now-I still repeat tricks they taught me, and have been enjoying skiing tremendously since my very 1st lesson there. For adults and children alike-it's the best place to learn for beginners, not too challenging and has amazing instructors.

Snowboard or ski, Dodge Ridge will not only lift you up the hill but your spirits will be as high…read moreas ever! Located just an hour or two away from the bay and Tahoe, Dodge Ridge was the perfect winter getaway for the family. Operating in a cellular service black hole, your focus will be solely on the slopes and the amazing village they've built up. Before you come, be sure to make your reservations for the lifts in addition to any lessons you plan on taking. As part of the package, you'll get your choice of skis and poles or snowboard (you can switch out during your stay if you want), helmets, and boots. We decided to skip the lessons this time around but based on our impression of the lessons we observed, the staff seem proficient in skill and patience for people of all ages. After making your way up the windy road, you'll come across some parking along the side of the road. You can park there, but it's kind of a hike so you may want to consider continuing your way up where there will be a lot with reserved parking, day parking ($40 at the time), and some free parking further up. We decided to pay for parking since we planned on snacking on food that we brought and wanted our gear closer (especially for the little ones). Hopefully you came early enough to snag some convenient spots and make the most of your day. As we made our way to the lodge buildings, we first made a visit to the ticket office to redeem our lift tickets (that were reserved online). This is also where you could buy day of tickets as well but there's always a chance they get sold out depending on the season. They do have a nice bistro upstairs and restrooms in this office. Then we walked across the aisle to the equipment building where we were fitted with our gear. They lent out snowboard/ski boots and helmets (recommended) as well as did a quick measurement and adjusted bindings for our snowboards/skis. Once suited up, we ventured out to the lifts! On the far left and right were the beginner slopes where we stayed for the whole day. The lift lines were makeshift with some tape and cones to keep some order and as you made your way to the front of the line, you scan your lift tickets to open the gates to allow you to enter the lifts. During our day in the snow, the last building was a great place to recluse and recover. Inside and outside, there were plenty of seats and tables for meals which are served here at the cafe in addition to the bistro in the ticket office. For those looking to cozy up, they also have a fire pit for getting nice and toasty. Although we didn't get a taste, the food looked spectacular and reasonably priced for where you are. Throughout the establishment, the staff were super friendly and welcoming. When we had called earlier to inquire about their lessons and prices, the staff were very upfront and helpful. When we got here, we noticed they had a good number of folks working all the different stations and from what I could tell, they were constantly busy. Kudos to the training staff for preparing everyone for those mad rushes at open and close and everything in between! Overall, Dodge Ridge is a fantastic stop for those looking for the thrill of the snowy slopes! The amenities, the quality of equipment, availability of staff, and price makes this place a family favorite for us and we can't wait to come back!

Note to self - NO more pictures, hitting the Yelp limit. LOL…read more Quality/Quantity - Still my favorite local ski resort. And this year, snow tubing, too bad I was not able to coordinate with my nephew and niece this year... Local community, very few people on the mountain on weekdays. Plenty of parking which are very close to the lifts (weekdays). And even weekends are not too bad, especially compared to my Epic pass - Northstar, Heavenly, and Kirkwood. Good job grooming. Good terrain variety. Ambiance - Higher elevation = More and better snow. Base elevation = 8260'. 1200 acres, 1800 vertical feet. 20% Beginner Green 30% Intermediate Blue 40% Advanced Black 10% Expert Double Black Longest Run: 2.5 miles Total Trails: 60+ Timbers Bar - Spending more and more time here, lol. See pictures. 431 Sports gift & apparel shop. Service - Self service. Most people are friendly and manage the chairs. Many types of lessons/clinics; see their website or my pictures. Price - Season pass renewal = $425. Current season pass promotion = Double down; see their website. Normal Season Pass costs approximately $895 each. Off Peak = $675. Discounts with season pass for food, bar, gift shop, repair shop, etc. They also have many promotions. Ticket + rental package discounts. Half day tickets for both the morning or afternoon. 4 daily specials; see their website for specifics. Buddy tickets = $40 off for adults, $20 off for children. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success since the 1930s.

Great place for beginner ski lessons especially since they have a magic carpet for all the bunny…read moreslows so the kids can easily practice without being afraid of the lift. The instructors are pretty nice and both of my kids learned how to make turns and comfortable stop. The group lessons were for 3 hours though... so they were so tired and hungry afterwards! The restaurants nearby are a bit pricey but decent especially after a long day of skiing.

This place was amazing the cream foam matcha was so good and the Dubai cookie is a must try.read more

It was so much fun. And the owner it's such a sweetheart 5 we stayed for an hr and it's more than…read moreenough to have fun.

out of all the years I've been snowboarding heavenly I never managed to stop at this observation…read moredeck. I've been missing out. This is really nice Do you have a place called Café blue up here but it may not always be open. Probably just opened on weekends and other busy ski days. What's nice is that you can bring a little lunch up here even if you're not gonna ride or ski and just hang out in the sun and look at the mountains. Bring binoculars, a picnic and maybe a telephone lens if you want to get some nifty shots. note that the photos of the EV charging are way over near California Lodge access via saddle Road.

1 of 2 Yelp Reviews…read more We were Heavenly customers before Vail Resorts bought them in March of 2002. Our season pass also applies to Northstar, acquired in October 2010, and Kirkwood, acquired in April 2012. I am very happy with all the acquisitions; I feel I am getting a better value from my season pass. But now that I am a loyal Mt Rose customer, it gets harder and harder to come to the Vail/Epic resorts... Quality/Quantity - My favorite lifts and runs are at Heavenly Ski Resort. And more specifically, at the Stagecoach lift!! Long lift, long run, less people. Too bad the season is over and the NV side is closed. And due to the poor season and lack of snow, we needed to shuttle from the Sky/Canyon lift to the Gondola chairs (Dipper and Comet lifts)?!?! Lastly, the Tamarack lift opened half an hour late, not until 9:30am! Today was my worst day at Heavenly EVER!! Two seasons ago, I broke my vertical record with my daughter!! And on a Sunday! Ambiance - See above. Public paid parking lots. But today, my wife dropped me off and went to the lake house to relax. Well to check on the property. Open 7 days a week from 9am to 4pm. Service - Plenty of employees today, thank you. Price - I have a season pass. But due to the poor season and me being too lazy to drive an hour to ski, I have only used it once. This was one expensive day! I will probably not renew my pass for next season... Sadly. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your successes with your 42 resorts in 3 countries. Look forward to skiing as many of your properties as possible.