Ski & Snowboarding Resorts Within Two Hours of Sacramento

One of the best things about living in the greater Sacramento area is its proximity to outdoor recreation. Sacramento is just around two hours from both the beach and the mountains, making for an easy day trip in either direction. For winter sports enthusiasts, that means the world-class resorts of the Lake Tahoe area are just a short drive away! Whether you prefer skiing, snowboarding, sledding or just making snow angels with the kiddos, there are plenty of places to take in the splendor of winter. Best of all, many of the best ski resorts are just around a two-hour drive, so you can get up and back in a day or make a weekend of it! Following are some of the best ski and snowboarding resorts within two(ish) hours of Sacramento.

Soda Springs Mountain Resort

Photo courtesy Monica Toohey-Krause via Soda Springs Mountain Resort

Soda Springs Mountain Resort is an excellent option for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, but is particularly helpful for beginners. Whether you are cruising down the ski runs ranging in difficulty or spending an afternoon in the tubing area, Soda Springs will not disappoint. Plus, the passes are some of the most reasonably priced in the area! Check the current weather conditions at Soda Springs and plan your next visit to this renowned ski resort.

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort

Photo courtesy Zach Doleac via Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort

Having suffered in the 2021 Caldor Fire, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort has reopened numerous slopes and 200 acres of backcountry trails. The mountain offers pristine conditions for skiing and snowboarding in addition to great views of the surrounding mountains. They also offer lessons and a tubing area. Note that not all trails are yet re-opened, so be sure to check out the Sierra-at-Tahoe website for the latest updates.

Sugar Bowl Resort

Photo courtesy Cath Howard via Sugar Bowl Resort

Dating back to 1939, Sugar Bowl Resort has been a popular family-owned resort since the beginning. You’ll find restored historic charm mixed with modern updates, plus some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the area. The mountain at Sugar Bowl Resort contains four peaks, 98 trails and 1,650 skiable acres. Sugar Bowl has plenty of terrain to explore — whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced skier or boarder. Make a quick day trip to Sugar Bowl or prolong your stay at their cozy hotel on-site.

Boreal Mountain Resort

Photo courtesy Jake Pollock via Boreal Mountain Resort

Located just down the road from its sister resort, Soda Springs, Boreal Mountain Resort is an easily accessible resort from both Northern California and Nevada. Boreal boasts nearly 80 percent snowmaking coverage, so it is typically one of the first Lake Tahoe resorts to open each winter. It has a mixture of both family-friendly terrain and more advanced trails as well. The Terrain Park has handrails, boxes, a half-pipe and much more, making it a hotspot for “park” skiers and snowboarders. There is also an established tubing area.

Heavenly Ski Resort

Nestled above the striking blue waters of Lake Tahoe, Heavenly Ski Resort is one of the most unique snow sports destinations on the planet. Straddling the border between California and Nevada, this gorgeous resort offers 97 trails ranging from wide-open cruisers to plunging 1,600-foot chutes. Explore the 4,630 skiable acres, the most in Lake Tahoe, and reach heights of 10,067 feet in elevation, the highest in Lake Tahoe. Couple your thrilling skiing experience with the fine dining, shopping, nightclubs and casinos nearby, and you are in for an action-packed vacation at Heavenly Ski Resort.

Palisades Tahoe

Photo courtesy Palisades Tahoe (formerly Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows)

Palisades Tahoe, formerly known as Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, is an enormous ski resort just west of Lake Tahoe. Visitors enjoy access to two separate mountains, Palisades and Alpine, which are about a 15-minute drive from base to base. A lift ticket provides access to 6,000 acres of skiable land with 42 lifts, 16 bowls, 270 trails, and 450 inches of annual snowfall. Located just steps from the lifts, Palisades offers numerous restaurants, bars, lodging and other activities such as yoga and a museum.