Shredding the Slopes: An Epic Family Ski Trip in Lake Tahoe with Teens

The sunrise view from our rental in Tahoe City. It was magical.

Ryan and I have skied Tahoe a handful of times, so our boys have always wanted to go because of how often we talked about it! This year, we finally packed our gear and hit the slopes. Traveling with teenagers can be a blast, and I knew the breathtaking mountains and exciting ski runs would spark their enthusiasm. Join me as I share our memorable skiing experience in Lake Tahoe and all the family fun we had along the way!

Ryan in the Chicken Bowl!

Why Lake Tahoe?

Lake Tahoe is a top destination for snow lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Tucked in the Sierra Nevada mountains, this area features stunning landscapes, modern ski resorts, and countless activities. We chose Palisades Tahoe because it offers a good variety and magnificent scenery, making it perfect for our seasoned thrill-seeker family. It's also on the IKON pass and rated the #3 largest ski resort in North America according to skimag.com.

The beauty of Lake Tahoe is captivating. Imagine snow-covered pines and the striking turquoise lake sparkling beneath the sun – it provided the perfect backdrop for our family getaway. You can admire the lake as you are skiing down certain runs. It is incredible.

Walking along the shore of the lake, our youngest said, "I've never walked in sand in my snow boots before".

The view at the top of the Treeline lift on the Alpine Meadows side. Unbelievable!

Setting the Scene

Arriving at Palisades Tahoe, the vibrant atmosphere was infectious. Families buzzing with excitement, warm fire pits, and the crunch of snow underfoot created an energizing scene.

Once we suited up, I noticed the emotions on my teens’ faces as they strapped on their skis and boards. They could not wait to get on the slopes and find the best, most challenging runs. They love the black diamonds, tree runs, and terrain park. I love shared experiences that create lasting memories! This is one activity that we love to do together, making it a win-win.

Two of the teens stopping for a selfie

Exploring the Slopes

Since Ryan and I had been to Palisades before, we had a good idea on where to start. We like to start our ski trips with some warm-up blue, and I wanted to make sure our boys were noticing the beautiful backdrop of Lake Tahoe and the mountains. The thrill of gliding through fresh powder and speeding down the hills was exhilarating!

At times, I paused to admire the breathtaking views. Overlooking Lake Tahoe from the top of the mountain was unforgettable. You can see the lake from the Palisade and Alpine side. I filled my phone with breathtaking photos of these memories when I could, but we were pretty busy packing in as many runs as we could.

My sister's family joined us a few of the days, so my niece and nephew skied with our boys, and the adults got some time to ski together. We would meet up for lunch at High Camp, ski the rest of the day, and then always ended our day back at our rental house in Tahoe City for dinner, games, and swapping stories about our skiing adventures each day.

Palisades is not for beginners. My sister feels the most comfortable on greens, and you had to take blue runs to get to the handful of greens and then blue runs to get back down to the base unless you took the tram up and down to High Camp. Palisades connects to Alpine Meadows via a base to base gondola (or you can take a shuttle or drive). Alpine had a handful of greens that were easier to get to.

Lunch on the balcony at High Camp looking at the lake. The view cannot be beat!

Tips for Traveling To Tahoe:

Reflecting on our trip, I want to share some helpful tips for families planning a ski vacation in Lake Tahoe:

• Take a look at the trail map: Ensuring your family feels confident with what the mountain has to offer. It is important that everyone is skiing at their level. This help to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves and keeps everyone safe.

  
  

• Dress in Layers: Ski weather anywhere can change quickly. Layering keeps everyone warm while allowing flexibility. Don't forget your sunscreen.

  
  

• Check weather: Before you head out, check weather. We had one day that was so winding, several lifts were shut down. This helped us adjust our expectations. The next day we had gotten six inches of snow the night before and it was epic skiing!

• Leave early and book parking: we aimed to leave each morning at 8:15am. This gave us time to get to our pre-reserved parking and beat the traffic. One day we left a little later and it took us three times as long to get there because of traffic! Also, slopes close at 4pm, so we always tried to be done by 3pm to beat the traffic out.

  
  

By following these simple tips, families can make the most of their skiing adventures!

Wonderful Memories Await

Our ski trip to Lake Tahoe was truly unforgettable. It symbolized adventure, beauty, and quality time together. Traveling with teens can be a blast, and the slopes helped create an atmosphere of laughter and memories. It was hard for them not to notice the incredible beauty Tahoe has to offer.

If you're thinking about a ski trip with your family, Lake Tahoe should be at the top of your list. With its stunning scenery, fantastic skiing, and precious moments, you'll leave feeling fulfilled and uplifted. Prepare those ski outfits—it's time to hit the mountains!

Whether you're going with the intentions to get in as much skiing as possible or to create long lasting memories, Lake Tahoe offers the opportunity for both. We can't wait to go back!