Description:
"A Rare Place on Earth" sums up Kirkwood. I'd say it is friendly, unpretentious and one of the best value resorts in the region. And it's one of Vail Resorts stable so there is probably the best value season passes around. See the Tahoe Pass for one price that covers Kirkwood + Heavenly (1 hour away) + Northstar, or look for the Epicpass for tthose 3 resorts + Vail Resort's Colorado resorts like Vail, Breckenridge, and Keystone.
In the Resort review (in German) is a link to Google Maps Streetview -of Kirkwood's ski runs
Google Youtube Kirkwood Mountain Resort for videos or see their Facebook Page under "Kirkwood Mountain Resort".
Kirkwood really suits the family of mixed abilities with mellow green runs, cruisy blue runs, and jaw dropping black diamond runs. Best of all, most runs meet up at a cafe or the Village so a group can ski the terrain they want, and meet somewhere for lunch.
Kirkwood is renown for being in "the spot" which gets great snow.
NO HOSTEL: ROCKSTAR LODGE CLOSED AT XMAS 2012: see below for more about accommodation in and around Kirkwood. .
As Kirkwood is under an hour's drive from South Lake Tahoe/Heavenly, and also runs shuttles from SLT (and from Reno and the Bay), you can also stay at SLT in all manner of lodgings. Below a few nearby towns are mentioned as those towns also have lodgings. Or click the links (at the top of this review) ) to be taken to the resort's central reservation service.
US Airbag: Kirkwood is purchasing a US Airbag so go practice some big air: practice your big air tricks and land in the massive "marshmallow".
Want cat-skiing? They've got it.
International College Students: Ask if you are eligible for the College Season Pass. William Angliss Institute in China, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Vanuatu was eligible college through its resorts management programs division: your college may also be eligible.
Want to see 7 resorts around Lake Tahoe for a reasonable price? See www.skilaketahoe.com from April to September for the '6 pak'. In 2012/13 the 6 pak averaged $55 per day. At least 2 tickets in the 6 pak are good for Kirkwood, other vouchers are good at neighbouring resorts around the lake.
Unsure about the snow? Have no fear: Kirkwood's snowmaking, in my opinion, is on par with the best snowmaking resorts around Lake Tahoe.
Do you want bowls, cruisers, steeps and tree-skiing: it's all here. Kirkwood is a standout in terms of natural beauty and terrain variety, with everything from the greenest greens to hair-raising chutes and cornices. There's a reason why Daron Rahlves' "Banzai" event is held here: google Rahlves Banzai at Beaver Bowl and you'll see Kirkwood's black diamond run. On holiday weekends, it's a non-stop floor show at the top of The Wall, with skiers and riders of all abilities peering over and dropping in. Kirkwood has something for all abilities, including sheltered greens and a ski school.
Do you want some apres-skiing on a snow cat? See their website if the Midweek Evening Snow Cat Rides are running! Board the Expedition Snow Cat from the plaza daily @ 4:30 to experience a tour of our Mountain like no other. Expedition includes Hot Coco and snacks to make this a perfect Après Ski adventure for the family.
Tel: 209.258.7293 or visit the Lodge Front Desk
Events: http://www.kirkwood.com/site/events-activities/events-calendar/2011-06
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.)
Turn left onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive. (approx. 90 min.)
From South Lake Tahoe:
US 50 West to Hwy 89 South to Hwy 88 West
Take US 50 West to "the Y" intersection where US 50 meets Hwy 89.
Turn left at the Y onto Emerald Bay Road (go 4.9 mi.) to Meyers.
Turn left to continue on Hwy 89 South (go 11.1 mi.)
Turn Right on Hwy 88 West (go 14.3 mi.)
Turn Left onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive. (approx. 35 min.)
From North Lake Tahoe via the East Shore:
Route 28 E to Hwy 50 W to Route 89 South to 88 West
Take NV Route 28 East/South ( go 13 mi. from Incline Village)
Turn Right onto US 50 West (go 17.4 mi.)
Turn left at the Y onto Emerald Bay Road (go 4.9 mi.)
Turn left to continue on Hwy 89 South (go 11.1 mi.)
Turn Right on Hwy 88 West (go 14.3 mi.)
Turn Left onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive (approx. 60 min.)
From Highway 50 in Sacramento:
Depending on your location along Highway 50, you may exit in three locations.
Exit South Bound Watt Avenue, or Sunrise Boulevard, or El Dorado Hills Boulevard.
Head South until you hit Highway 16 (The Jackson Highway): Approximately 1.5 mi on Watt Ave, or 7.3 mi on Sunrise, or 17 mi on El Dorado Hills Blvd/Latrobe Road
Turn Left onto the Jackson Highway: Approximately 28.1 mi from entry off Watt Avenue, or 17.7 mi from entry off Sunrise Ave, or 2.7 mi from entry off El Dorado Hills/Latrobe
Turn Right at the Intersection for Highway 49, taking you towards Jackson and Sutter Creek (go 6.8 mi)
Before you get to Jackson, turn Left onto Ridge Road (go 8.3 mi)
(Note: if you get to Jackson and miss Ridge Road, don't worry - you can turn directly onto Highway 88 East Bound in the town of Jackson just past the historic Main Street district.)
Turn Left onto Highway 88 East (go 48.8 mi)
Turn Right onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive (appox. 1.5 to 2 hours from most Sacramento starting locations)
From The 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 (about 44 miles from the Bay Bridge) 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.)
(Be sure follow signs to Stay on Hwy 88 after Clements and in downtown Jackson)
Turn Right onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive. (approx. 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 West
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.)
Turn Left onto Kirkwood Meadows Drive (approx. 3.5 hrs. from the Bay Bridge)
For questions or directions assistance along the way, call us at 209.258.6000.
Flying
We're lucky at Kirkwood to be situated in close proximity to three major airports... Reno-Tahoe International (RNO) is the closest, followed by Sacramento International (SMF), and San Francisco International (SFO).
One way car rentals: The shuttle service from South Lake Tahoe/Heavenly to Kirkwood is so good, think about a one way car rental from San Francisco Airport or Reno-Tahoe International Airport to SLT. In SLT there are branches for Avis, Hertz and Enterprise.
Nightlife: Kirkwood isn't a big resort and it's not known for nightlife. Nevertheless, if you want a romantic dinner, or to meet really friendly locals, definitely try the Off the Wall Bar.
Accommodation:
Out-of-town budget and hotel-chain accommodations:
East of Kirkwood on Hwy 88 is the town of Minden, around 30-45 minutes drive. Minden has hotels/motels like Holiday Inn Express and similar hotel chains.
North-east an hour away is the very large town on Lake Tahoe's shores that has the Californian/Nevada border in the middle - one side is the town of South Lake Tahoe California and its other half is Stateline. Here there are budget motels, timeshare condos, and casino hotels, ice skating (seasonal), shopping and a huge array of apres ski activities. As noted above, Kirkwood has a shuttle that picks you up and returns you to SLT's casinos and other points.
West of Kirkwood is Kit Carson Lodge, Kay's Silver Lake Resort and Plasse's Resort. Also nearby is a resort "Sorensens" and "Caple Lake".
In Kirkwood: See www.vrbo.com for homes/apartments that owners rent out directly. See the resort's website for bookings through central reservations ...and for package deals. Or click the Links below for Accommodation. The main accommodations seem to be The Towers, The Meadows, Lost Cabin and Mountain Club.
Hostel: In Kirkwood, the hostel is Rockstar Lodge.
Accommodation reviews: Always read reviews, sometimes with a grain of salt, on websites like tripadvisor.com.
