OPENING DAY - NOVEMBER 21, 2012

Discover One Of Earth’s Rare Places…
About 35 miles from South Lake Tahoe, on a two-lane road that weaves over two mountain passes, lies Kirkwood Mountain Resort. It may be remote, but in this solitary horseshoe canyon, climate and geography conspire to create one of the purest, most authentic, big-mountain ski experiences in North America. Kirkwood is the siren's call for those whose middle name is "adventure." Those who prefer their snow deep and their terrain steep.

Home to the World Freeskiing Tour, Kirkwood features some of North America's fiercest inbounds terrain. The names alone are enough to quicken the pulse: Heart Chute. Patrolman's. Hospital Air. Once is Enough Chute. From cornices and couloirs, to wide open bowls, to chutes too tight to turn a ski in, Kirkwood is 2,300 acres of mountain that will challenge expert skiers from first chair to last.

And you want snow? Prolific, majestic, magical snow? For Kirkwood, it's that rare case of quantity AND quality. Kirkwood AVERAGES over 600 inches of snowfall per year. They coined the phrase "we measure snow in feet, not inches." And for that much snow to be that dry almost doesn't seem fair. But try telling that to the guy getting face shot after exhilarating face shot.

 

So if your idea of extreme includes ripping down the face of a Class A avalanche zone, your own sympathy slide nipping at your heels, grab your backpack. Strap on a shovel. Bring a probe and a beacon. There's a legend out there waiting to be made.

 

Kirkwood Mountain Stats - Winter

Annual Avg Snowfall  600 inches
Trails  72+
Skiable Acres  2,300
Vertical Rise  2,000 feet
Base Elevation  7,800 feet
Top Elevation  9,800 feet
Number of Lifts  15
Types of Lifts
 3 surface lifts, 1 double chair, 6 triple chairs, 1 fixed grip quad,
 2 high speed quads, 2 magic carpets
Uphill Capacity  19,905 skiers per hour
Longest Run  2.5 miles
Terrain  15% beginner, 50% intermediate, 20% advanced, 15% expert
Snowmaking  Top to bottom coverage on four runs
Parks & Pipes  3 terrain parks

 

 Kirkwood Mountain Stats - Summer  

Trails 18 trails in the valley, 11 in lift accessed mountain bike park, 11.5 miles of single track
Vertical Rise  2,000 feet
Base Elevation  7,800 feet
Top Elevation  9,800 feet
Lifts  Chairs 1 & 2 operate on weekends during the summer months
Mountain Bike Terrain  10% beginner, 50% intermediate, 30% advanced, 10% expert
Bike Park Features  Features included log rides, pump track and other terrain park features.