The Ultimate Ski/Ride Day at Palisades Tahoe

Experience the ultimate ski/ride day at Palisades Tahoe with this comprehensive itinerary, designed for all skill levels and optimized for convenience. Whether you’re a first-timer or an expert, this guide ensures you make the most of your day on the slopes.

7:00 AM – Rise and Shine, Up and Out!

  • Stay in Style: Opt for a ski-in/ski-out experience at one of our vacation rentals at Everline Resort or Palisades Tahoe Lodge. These accommodations offer direct slope access, allowing you to park your car and forget it for the duration of your stay.  Guests staying at properties not slopeside but in Olympic Valley or Alpine Meadows can access these respective base facilities using the Mountaineer Shuttle.   Guests staying in properties outside “the valleys” can refer to our notes about parking & transportation at the end of the itinerary.
  • Ski Rentals: Visit The Inn Shop or Ski Butlers for top-quality gear rentals. Both offer convenient services to get you equipped and ready to hit the slopes.  We recommend getting your kit set the day prior to your first day on the hill.

8:00 AM – Breakfast

  • Wildflour Café: Located in Olympic Valley, this café is perfect for a hearty breakfast before your day on the mountain.
  • Crest Café: Situated in Alpine Meadows, offering a cozy atmosphere and delicious breakfast options.  Grab and go for a quick option.

9:00 AM – Morning Mountain Session-Mountain maps included here for your convenience

Palisades Tahoe – Olympic Valley Trail Map

Palisades Tahoe – Alpine Meadows Frontside Map

Palisades Tahoe – Alpine Meadows Backside Map

For Beginners

  • Olympic Valley Base: On the lower mountain, begin with some laps on First Venture lift.  Take the short shuttle bus to the other side of the Olympic Valley Base.  Take the Aerial Tram to High Camp.  There is a vast mountain top beginner area at High Camp.  Beginner lifts here include:  Bailey’s Beach, Mountain Meadow and Belmont.  Once you are feeling a little more comfortable, head over to Big Blue. For beginner skiers/riders, we suggest taking the Aerial Tram or Funitel Gondola back down to the base
  • Alpine Meadows Base: Begin at Subway Chair or Meadow Chair for easy access to beginner-friendly terrain.
  • For first timer skiers/riders, we suggest enrolling in the Learn to Ski & Ride program. For just $198, you’ll get everything you need to feel confident on beginner terrain. Choose from a morning or afternoon session, available Opening Day–December 15 and January 5–March 31 (holiday blackouts apply).

For Intermediates

  • Olympic Valley Base: Take the Funitel Gondola to the Gold Coast.  There are many intermediate options accessible from the Gold Coast Lodge, including Gold Coast Express, Shirley Lake Express, Siberia Express, Emigrant and Big Blue Express.  To get back to the base, either take the Mountain Run (for stronger intermediates) or download on the Funitel Gondola.  At the lower mountain, good stronger intermediate terrain can be found on the Red Dog Express, Exhibition, Far East Express and Resort Chairs.   
  • Alpine Meadows Base: Lower intermediate terrain can be found on Treeline Cirque Chair (offload at the mid-station).. higher intermediate terrain is plentiful at Alpine Meadows, and can be found on Summit, Roundhouse, Lakeview, Yellow and Sherwood chairs.

For Advanced/Experts

  • Olympic Valley Base: Olympic Valley is well-known for its steep terrain!  Challenging steeps and glades can be found off the Red Dog and Resort Chairs on the Lower mountain.  Also on the lower mountain is world-famous KT22 Express chair, serving some of the most challenging advanced/expert terrain in North America.  The upper mountain features world-class lift-served and hike-to steeps on Headwall Express, Siberia Express (hike to the iconic Palisades), Emigrant (hike to Mainline Pocket), Broken Arrow, Silverado and Granite Chief (hike to Granite Chief Peak)
  • Alpine Meadows Base: While not as celebrated as their neighbor, Alpine Meadows features expansive advanced/expert terrain.  Summit Express Alpine Bowl, Treeline Cirque, Scott and Sherwood Chairs all feature advance/expert terrain right off the chair, and countless hike-to options (which Alpine is famous for!).

11:30 AM – Early Lunch (to avoid the crowds)

  • Olympic Valley Base:  Several on-mountain and base area options exist.  Some of our favorite options are:
  • Alpine Meadows Base
    • The Chalet – Bavarian-style beer garden with alpine inspired food.

🛷 12:30 PM – Afternoon Mountain Session

After lunch, utilize the Base-to-Base Gondola to transition between Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows. This convenient link allows you to explore both sides of the resort without the hassle of driving and features incredible views of the Sierra crest and Lake Tahoe.  Hit all the lifts you didn’t during the morning session!

🍺 3:30 PM – Après-Ski

  • Olympic Valley Base:
  • Alpine Meadows Base:
    • Alpine Bar Enjoy live music, sports on the big screen and ski/snowboard videos while you recount your epic day.

5:00 PM – Relaxation.  Wind down from your big day on the hill

Return to your accommodation and enjoy the private or communal hot tub available at properties like Palisades Tahoe Lodge. Soak away the day’s exertions and prepare for a restful evening.

7:00 PM – Dinner-These are some of our favorites, but there are so many others.  We are happy to make recommendations based on individual desires.

  • Olympic Valley:
  • Alpine Meadows:
    • River Ranch: Enjoy riverside dining with a diverse menu to satisfy your appetite.
  • Tahoe City:
    • Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique High-end destination for sophisticated, seasonal Californian cuisine, plus Lake Tahoe views.
    • Christy Hill Lake Tahoe Elegant bistro garners raves for its French-inspired California cuisine & lakefront patio seating.
    • Za’s Lakefront American & Italian fare like pizza, pasta & burgers served in a relaxed space with a lakefront deck.
  • West Shore
    • Shadyside Trendy spot serving up tacos, nachos, burritos and margaritas, plus beers and cocktails.
    • Swiss Lakewood French onion soup and other classics served in an upscale European restaurant that’s been around for 100 years.
  • Truckee
    • Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats Local, seasonal New American fare & wines on tap are the draw at this comfy bistro with live music.
    • Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar Popular standby housed in a historic ski lodge boasts eclectic meals & deck seating with city views.
    • Pianeta Cozy eatery serving hearty Northern Italian meals, as well as offering a full bar & large wine list.

9:00 PM – Wind Down…Rest and repeat!

Conclude your day by unwinding in the comfort of your accommodation. Whether you choose to relax by the fire, enjoy a nightcap, or simply rest, ensure you’re rejuvenated for another day on the slopes.

Parking & Transportation Tips

  • Parking Reservations: If you’re driving, note that parking reservations are required on weekends and peak holiday periods. Free reservations are released each Tuesday at 12 PM and 7 PM for the upcoming weekend. Advance paid reservations are available for $30 per day. To learn more, visit the Park Palisades Tahoe website here. 
  • Mountaineer Shuttle: For those staying in accommodations that aren’t ski-in/ski-out, the Mountaineer provides free, on-demand transportation within Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows during the winter. This app-based service offers a convenient way to get around without the need for a car.

Lift Pass Discounts

For guests without an Ikon Pass, Tahoe Vacation Rentals offers proprietary exclusive lift ticket deals. Booking a group lesson can unlock additional savings, and discounted lift ticket and rental packages are available.