Kirkwood Mountain Resort Guide
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Kirkwood Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe, California
Kirkwood Resort at Lake Tahoe is located at a base elevation of 7800 feet, higher than the other Tahoe ski areas, which is one reason for its generous annual snowfall, also it's geographical location catches the storms that miss other local resorts. This combined effect results in phenomenal snowfall and is dubbed by locals as "The K-Factor". In fact during the 2004/2005 winter season Kirkwood Mountain Resort received more than 65 feet of snow, more than any other Tahoe resort. The last three-year mid-mountain average for snow, is an amazing 725".
What's so great about Kirkwood? Here's an excerpt from Flowski's Accuweather Photo Gallery winter 2006:
"Kirkwood received 635 inches of snow as of 3/26/06 and just one month later, on 4/26/06 with just 3 days left until the close of the 2005/2006 winter season we have had exactly 850 inches of snow, that's over 70 feet of snow! Yepp, it's true we got 215 of fresh powder in 1 month. Can you Imagine? It was amazing. The settled snow base depth on top of Kirkwood Mountain on closing day was 350" (29 feet). One of the deepest snow bases in America! I know what your thinking, WOW the 2005/2006 was an epic year at Kirkwood Resort, the powder skiing was terrific, but how often do you get that much snow in a season? Actually Kirkwood averages 500" a year!
Ranked by SKI Magazine in the top 10 ski resorts across the Nation in three categories: Snow, Terrain Variety and Challenge, Kirkwood offers an unmatched experience. The resort ranked No. 13 in Value and continues to offer high caliber programs at affordable prices. Skiing Magazine recently named Kirkwood as one of the Top 15 resorts and one of the Top 5 for snow quality while Freeskier Magazine picked Kirkwood as a "Must Ski Resort" (Feb, 2005). Unparalleled expert terrain, yet on the other hand Kirkwood is a USA Today nationally recognized beginner area, and talk about no crowds, it's wonderful! It's just 177 miles from San Francisco via Highway 88 and about a 40 min. drive from South Lake Tahoe. Kirkwood is the ultimate winter destination.
Here's a link to some great Lake Tahoe photography, including scenic shots, action and portrait pictures from Kirkwood. Visit our Kirkwood gallery for a look at our cool ski photos from the mountain.Current Weather Conditions at Kirkwood, CA
Click on it for more detailed information and the forecast.
The Kirkwood Snow Report
Today's Kirkwood ski report!
Here is today's official snow report from Kirkwood Mountain Resort. Thanks to Kirkwood for providing the feed for this report.
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Kirkwood Mountain Resort Photo
Kirkwood Mountain Resort Statistics
The facts and nothing but the facts...
- Average Snowfall (10 year, mid-mountain average) 500 inches/1,270 centimeters
2004/05 Snowfall (mid-mountain) 722 inches/1,834 centimeters
2005/06 Snowfall 850" inches on top of the mountain. - Average Percentage Sunny Days 70%
- Average Length of Season November through April
- Skiable Acres/Hectares 2,300/930
- Trails 65+
- Vertical Rise 2,000 feet/610 meters
- Base Elevation 7,800 feet/2,377 meters
- Top Elevation 9,800 feet/2,987 meters
- Lifts 2 high speed quad chairs, 1 quad, 6 triples, 1 double, 2 surface lifts
- Uphill Capacity 17,905 skiers per hour
- Longest Run 2.5 miles/4 kilometers
- Terrain 15% beginner, 50% intermediate, 20% advanced, 15% expert
- Snowmaking Top to bottom coverage on four runs
- Hours Lifts Daily 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Lodge Daily 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- PHONE NUMBERS:
General Information (209) 258-6000
Group Sales (209) 258-SNOW
Lodging Reservations (800) 967-7500
Ski and Snowboard School (209) 258-7245
Kirkwood Real Estate (888) KWD-PROP
Toll Free Ski Report Hotline (877) KIRKWOOD
Kirkwood Fax Number (209) 258-8899
Internet Web Site http://kirkwood.com - E-mail Address info@kirkwood.com
Interesting Kirkwood Mountain Resort Links
Click on a link below for more information.
- Kirkwood Snow Report
- So, how's the skiing today at "The Wood"? This is a direct link to the official Kirkwood Report. Not only will you find out the current base depth, new snow received on top and mid-mountain, but also which runs have been groomed, ski slope surface conditions, weather and road conditions getting to the resort too!
- Kirkwood Live Webcam
- Check out the Kirkwood Conditions for yourself with our link to the Kirkwood live webcam. The webcam is at the base of Kirkwood and the chairlift on the right is Chair #6.
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort Ski Trail Map
- Kirkwood is known for it's challenging ski terrain and deep powder, however it's great for beginners too! Just look at this ski map and you'll see a few chairlifts with lots-n-lots of beginner runs.
- Sierra Avalanche Center
- The Sierra Avalanche Center is a not-for-profit organization run by volunteers who are dedicated to promoting safe backcountry travel.
The mission of the Sierra Avalanche Center includes disseminating current snow pack stability information to the general public; providing educational information, knowledge, and understanding of avalanches to recreational users and groups; and facilitating communication in the region to reduce the impact of avalanches on recreation, industry, and transportation through a partnership with the United States Forest Service. - Kirkwood Resort Expansion Plans
- As if Kirkwood wasn't good enough, mountain improvements are in the works. What exactly are they doing? Check out this photo I took of the Master Re-Development Plan hanging in the liftie locker room last April. You can see all the new lifts etc.
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort Slide Show
- We shot over 30,000 photos at Kirkwood last winter. I've put together a slide show for you of a few hundred shots to give you a feel for the resort. Make some popcorn and enjoy the show!
- Photos from the 2006 Subaru Extreme Freeride Championship World Tour Finals held at Kirkwood
- The Cirque, an area on Kirkwood Mountain that is so dangerous, that the resort opens it up only once a year for the extreme ski and snowboard competition. The Cirque is steep, rocky and avalanche prone, not a place for the average skier. In fact, last winter there was an avalanche during the competition! No one was skiing at the time, but it was an eye-opener for sure.
- Kirkwood Video and Photo Galleries
- Check out Kirkwood at the video and photo gallery. Scope out the Kirkwood photo of the day, resort pictures and on-mountain photos.
- Kirkwood Daily Video
- Kirkwood puts out a video everyday during the ski season, so you can see 1st hand the conditions on the hill. Check it out.
Recent Kirkwood Photos
The most recent photos from the Kirkwood Photo Gallery
We're on the mountain everyday, if the weather isn't too bad. Here's a feed of our 10 most recently uploaded ski pictures from Kirkwood, enjoy!
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The Cirque at Kirkwood
Kirkwood Powder Skiing Tips- Now, let's say you called the ski report and it snowed 20" last night, here's what to do.
Rise and shine, eat a good breakfast and get to Kirkwood early, early, early!
- Getting First Chair- The powder hounds get up, pretty early in the morning to shred Kirkwood's legendary powder. How early? The lifts are scheduled to open at 9am, you should be in the lift line at chair #6, Cornice Express, ready to go no later than 8:30am for a good chair. Goods not good enough? Wanna be on the first chair ride up? Try 7:30-7:45am on EPIC powder days!
- Run Selection- If your one of the first chairs up and don't feel like hucking your body off of a cliff, float self-indulgently from the top to bottom in fluffy Sierra powder on Look Out Janek or Olympic Runs. If you would rather fly (you can't get hurt in the air), Chamoix is an excellent choice.
- Your second Run (or if your late)- Check to see if Palisades is open yet. It is? Make tracks as fast as you can, freshies await!
- Now what?- Keep skiing and keep your eyes peeled to see if Chair #10, The Wall is opening yet. It takes ski patrol a while to perform their avalanche control work there. But when it opens it's powder bliss. You're going to do a few of these.
- Now Head to the Backside!- The snow is always deeper on the other side of the fence, I mean mountain. This is the stuff dreams are made of. My favorite way of getting to The Backbowl's at Kirkwood is via Eagle bowl to the bottom of Chair #2 Caples Crest. Now you may have to wait for ski patrol to open the pearly gates to powder heaven. Theres no telling when or if they'll open it. It's a huge area and lots of avalanche control work must be performed before it's safe for the public, but when it opens, it's a crazy race to see who can get to #4 Sunrise first, cause the first one down is, the first one up is, the first one down and that's a good thing!
- Sloppy Seconds- Now think to yourself, where was the best snow I've skied today? Probably Palisades, so take Thunder Saddle back to the front of the mountain and back over for some more hot skiing action!
Current Radar Image for the Southwestern, USA
Click on it for moving radar image. Photo: Barley the Avalanche Rescue Dog
Flowski's Kirkwood Mountain Resort Flickr Photo Gallery
Check out these great pix shot at the resort from the 2005/2006 winter ski season at "The Wood".
As one of the on-mountain photographers at Kirkwood, I've got my camera with me all of the time, so I get some amazing shots and this is where I share them with the flickr community.
Jump For Joy
Snowslide At Kirkwoo...
Avalanche on 99 Step...
Halfpipe Snowcat Wor...
Howitzer Cannon Fire...
First Chair on an Ep...
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Most Popular Kirkwood Photos
These are the most popular photos at our Kirkwood photo gallery!
As voted on by gallery viewers, these are our most popular Kirkwood photos. You Wanna Rock The Vote? When viewing the photos at our Kirkwood Photo Gallery, click on the green "Thumbs Up" that appears in the upper right hand corner of the photo if you like it! Why, cause we live in a democracy, So Let Freedom Ring!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byKirkwood 2007 Extreme Skiing Video
Featuring the 2007 Freeride Championships.
Check-out this Kirkwood video, skiers and snowboards challenge The Cirque on Kirkwood Mountain at the Subaru World Freeride Championships.
Getting to Kirkwood
Getting there is half the fun!
From Reno/Tahoe International Airport:
U.S. 395 South to State Route 88 West
Exit the Airport on E. Plumb Ln (go 0.2 mi) to US Hwy 395 South (go 7.5 mi) Take exit 57B to remain on US 395 (go 35.2 mi) Turn right onto Hwy 88 (go 34 mi) about 90 min.
From South Lake Tahoe:
US 50 West to Hwy 89 South to Hwy 88 West.
Take US 50 West to where US 50 meets Hwy 89. Turn left at the Y onto Emerald Bay Rd. (go 4.9 mi) to Meyers. Turn left on Hwy 89 South (go 11.1 mi) Turn Right on Hwy 88 West (go 14.3 mi) about 35 min.
From North Lake Tahoe (east shore route):
Route 28 E to Hwy 50 W to Route 89 South to 88 West Take NV Route 28 East/South (go 13 mi). Turn Right onto US 50 West (go 17.4 mi) to Hwy 89. Turn left at the Y onto Hwy 89 (Emerald Bay Rd.) (go 4.9 mi) to Meyers. Turn left continuing on Hwy 89 South (go 11.1 mi.) Turn Right on Hwy 88 West, (go 14.3 mi) about 60 min.
From San Francisco Bay: Via Hwy 88 - If the Carson Spur on Hwy 88 is Open:
Interstate 580 East to Interstate 205 to Interstate 5 North to Route 4 East to Route 99 North to Route 88 East
Connect with Interstate 580 East from your area to Interstate 205 East (go 13.5 mi.) to Interstate 5 North (go 13.3 mi.) exit Downtown Stockton Hwy 4 East (go 3.4 mi.) to Hwy 99 North (go 1.8 mi) Exit CA Hwy 88 toward Jackson (go 97.4 mi) about 3.25 hrs.
Via Hwy 50 - If the Carson Spur on Hwy 88 is Closed:
Interstate 80 East to Hwy 50 East to Hwy 89 South to Hwy 88 East
Take Interstate 80 from your area to Sacramento where I-80 becomes US 50 East (go 93 mi. on US 50) Turn Right on CA Hwy 89 South (go 11.1 mi) Turn Right on Hwy 88 West (go 14.3 mi) about 3.5 hrs. from the Bay Bridge
From Sacramento Area:
Via Hwy 88 - CA Route 16 East to Hwy 49 South to Hwy 88 East Then take State Route 16 East (about 30 mi.) Turn Right onto CA Hwy 49 South (go 10.6 mi.) Turn Left onto CA Hwy 88 East through Jackson (go 55.4 mi) about 2 hrs.
Via Hwy 50 - US Hwy 50 East to Hwy 89 South to Hwy 88 West
From your area in Sacramento where I-80 becomes US 50 East Take US 50 East (go 93 mi.) Turn Right on CA Hwy 89 South (go 11.1 mi.) Turn Right on Hwy 88 West (go 14.3 mi) Turn Left onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive. about 2.25 hrs.
From Monterey Bay Area:
Hwy 156 East to 152 East to Interstate 5 North to Hwy 4 East to Route 99 North Hwy 88 East
Take Hwy 156 East to 152 East to Interstate 5 North, exit Downtown Stockton Hwy 4 East (go 3.4 mi.) to Hwy 99 North (go 1.8 mi) Exit CA Hwy 88 to
Book Your Kirkwood Weekend Getaway Now!
While your in the mood book a quick getaway to Kirkwood Mountain resort.
Why a Kirkwood Lake Tahoe getaway? Flying into Reno is a snap, then book a rental car and enjoy the scenic drive up to Lake Tahoe's Kirkwood Mountain Resort for a great last minute trip filled with fun and recreation, entertainment and adventure around every corner!
South Lake Tahoe Movie Listings
Here's whats playing in South Lake Tahoe today.
Anyway's here's a current list of the movies now playing in South Lake Tahoe, it's automatically updated daily so it should be accurate. Enjoy!
- Bruno
- Flamboyant Austrian fashionista Brüno takes his show to America.
- I Love You, Beth Cooper
- A high-school valedictorian proclaims his love for the hottest girl (Hayden Panettiere) in school.
- Blood: The Last Vampire - Opens Limited Fri., July 10
- A vampire is inserted in a military school to discover which one of her classmates is a demon.
- Humpday - Opens Limited Fri., July 10
- Two straight pals (Mark Duplass, Joshua Leonard) decide to sleep together and film the encounter.
- Soul Power - Opens Limited Fri., July 10
- The three-day music festival Zaire ‘74 is documented.
Kirkwood Reviews from Yelp, the Popular Review Site
Where's the best place to go out at night?
Here's what Yelpers have to say about Night Life in 96150
- Best Western Station House Inn (South Lake Tahoe)
- "Went on a last minute trip to SLT and decided to try this Best Western out. Very friendly staff, and incredible cheap price for a hotel a block away from..." more
- Whiskey Dick's Saloon (South Lake Tahoe)
- "i couldn't imagine a divier bar in tahoe. even in SF you struggle to find somewhere with this atmosphere.... we were there for a punk/ thrash music night,..." more
- Steamers Bar & Grill (South Lake Tahoe)
- "Best local's bar at south shore. Great happy hour. Taco night Saturday and Monday." more
- Brewery At Lake Tahoe (South Lake Tahoe)
- "The brewery is a great local place with great local beer. It is a perfect place to hang out and have some good food, good company, good vibe and great beer...." more
- The California Bar (South Lake Tahoe)
- "Great bar to visit at lunch time and after a long day on the mountain. You can catch all of the big games here. They have a live band on occasion on the..." more
- Apres Wine Company (South Lake Tahoe)
- "Great Wine and Food. The owner really thought this out well. They have at least 20 wines by the glass and you can purchase as little as 1oz to see if you..." more
- The Fresh Ketch (South Lake Tahoe)
- "I ordered the Cajun pasta which came with one, yes one, tiny piece of sausage. The sauce was bland and lifeless. My wife and aunt both ordered the fish..." more
- Turn 3 (South Lake Tahoe)
- "order a $1.50 PBR, grab some peanuts from the bin, throw the shells on the ground or use them to reserve your space at the pool table--then repeat...." more
- Lew Mar Nel's (South Lake Tahoe)
- "The concierge at our hotel was having trouble getting us reservations at the popular steakhouses at the casinos, so she recommended Lew Mar Nel's which she..." more
- Mulligans Irish Pub & Restaurant (South Lake Tahoe)
- "After a long day of skiing, or rather tumbling through moguls, our bodies are battered and bruised. We barely say a word to each other b/c we are so..." more
Kirkwood Mountain Resort Squidoo Poll
Quick Poll!
Blog Posts from Google
- Mountain Resort: Kirkwood Mountain Resort
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort. If you want to go right mountain resort for your holiday, you are in the best site now. The snow is disappearing and our mountain team is working to get ready for summer at Kirkwood. Join us for opening weekend ...
- Kirkwood Mountain Resort
- clemaire reviewed the Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
- Explore the Emigrant Trail July 13 with historian Frank Tortorich
- Local Tip: Part of the Emigrant Trail runs through the back side or Chair 4 of Kirkwood Mountain Resort and along the popular Squaw Ridge OHV trail above Silver Lake. The 4×4 section of the trail hosts high school students each summer ...
- Gold Country Luxury Cabin
- Gold Creek Cabin is 38 miles downhill from Kirkwood Mountain Resort and just 16 miles uphill from Sutter Creek, one of the most popular and well-preserved Gold Rush towns, offering a variety of nice restaurants, antique stores, ...
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Sierra Mountain and Lake Tahoe Photography
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I'm Brandon aka "flowski" a Lake Tahoe photographer with a digital photography website. Take a photo tour of the Lake Tahoe and surrounding mountains with me! Love the Sierra Mountains? The classic old trees growing out of rock, fields of w...
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Lake Tahoe Photographer
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Documenting your life! Are you looking for a Lake Tahoe Photographer? "flowski" aka Brandon has worked in the photography industry as a professional photographer for many years, at a number of Americas top resorts. He's in his 7th year serving the Lak...
Kirkwood Mountain Resort Squidoo Guestbook
We enjoy hearing from our visitors!
Please leave a blurb.
avocado47 wrote...
Awesome lens and great photos! I LOVE skiing. I live in New England, but would love to hit the slopes out west at some point.
~Stacy
Posted February 06, 2009
clouda9 wrote...
I am so a snowbunny and do my best in the lodge with a warm hot drinkie :) Beautiful lens...especially your photography!
Posted December 05, 2008
mannie wrote
kirkwood 08/09 unlimited (ie. no black out days) season passes for only $399. If you buy direct from kirkwood, the same pass currently costs $529. The pass pays off in 6 visits to kirkwood. If you're interested, it's super easy.
just grab your plastic and go to:
http://www.kirkwood.com/networkpass
or
https://skikirkwood.com/e-commerce/grpLogin2.aspx
and enter:
login = epa
password = kirkwood
do it by:
$399 is good until September 15th (11:59pm)
$429 from September 16th until October 15th (11:59pm)
$459 from October 16th until November 15th (11:59pm)
$499 from November 16th until sale ends at 11:59pm on December 15th
Posted August 25, 2008
GlobalOpps wrote...
Great lens! Welcome to theBest Places to Visit in California group. Be sure to drop by ourSan Diego Coastal Homestays lens as well.
Posted March 08, 2008
Vonpeter wrote...
Congratulations on a great lens. Visit my lens, Does Timeshare Work? If you want to visit ski resorts all year round and pay less than the annual timeshare maintenance fee, you just have to read this.
Posted January 26, 2008
Kirkwood News
Here's the latest from Kirkwood Resort.
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Freelance Jobs
Photography Jobs- Immediate Openings for Photograp more...1 point
Submit Your Photography Website Link-Add Your URL
Add your photography website URL to our links dire more...1 point
Expensive Luxury Gift Ideas
Luxury gifts don't necessarily need be expensive, more...1 point
Digital Photography
Do you like to take pictures? Digital Photography more...0 points
Lake Tahoe Directory- Tahoe Businesses, Submit Your Web Site, Add URL
Lake Tahoe activities and information directory- P more...0 points
SkiCentral
The #1 Search Site for Skiing and Snowboarding, fe more...0 points
Easy Appointment Scheduling
Scheduling appointments online for service oriente more...0 points
Top 10 Eco-Friendly Green Gifts
Looking for Eco-friendly gift ideas? You've come t more...0 points
Top Best Gift Ideas 2008
What are the best gifts 2008? Put in your 2 cents more...0 points
Warrior Lacrosse Equipment Reviews
These are my personal experiences with using Warri more...0 points
Cascade Lacrosse Helmets Reviews
For years Cascade Lacrosse Helmets have been the l more...0 points
Lacrosse Blog
A great blog with info about lacrosse0 points
Salmon Fishing
The Alaska Rainbow Lodge specializes in Alaska Fly more...0 points
flowski's twitter!
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- mikejoy
- RT @flowski: Today is the only day in our lifetime where the time will read 12:34:56 07/08/09 (via @jedijunkie)
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- flowski
- It's #winsday for all of you Hogwarts fans! RT to win a Harry Potter Boxed Set http://bit.ly/VlGKI Winner announced 6PM EST(via @Overstock)
© 2008 Flowski. All rights Reserved. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Commercial reproduction of this Kirkwood Resort Squidoo Lens in part, or in whole without written permission is prohibited by law.
by flowski
Hi, I'm "flowski" aka Brandon. I'm a professional photographer from Lake Tahoe. I enjoy digital photography, hiking, capturin... (more)
