Kirkwood

Kirkwood Ski Area

So its 2,300 acres (932 ha) of wide-open terrain promises something for everyone-from gentle groomed trails through hair-raising steeps and chutes, but most of the skiing is for intermediates and above with only 15 percent of the ski area suitable for beginners. Artificial snowmaking covers 5% of the resort (115 acres). From the base elevation of the village the highest point of 9,800 feet (2,987m) allows a maximum vertical descent of 2,000 feet (610 m).

Kirkwood Ski Lifts & Lift Passes

The lift system is graded to match level of difficulty of the terrain accessed from the top of each lift. The easiest, distinguished by the usual green circle, gives access to the beginners' trails off chairs #1 and #9, and off chair #7. The more difficult intermediate terrain is shown by a blue square and includes trails off chairs #2, #3, #4, #5, #7, and #11. For advanced skiers and riders, a single black diamond is used which includes trails off chair lifts #4, #6, and #11. Finally the expert trails are denoted by two black diamonds and are reachable by chairlifts #4, #6, and #10. Lifts start from 8:30-9:00 am and close at 4:00-4:30 pm.

The resort recently installed its first high-speed quad chair (the first of several planned high speed detachable ones), which will transport skiers from the Mountain Village to the top of the mountain in just four minutes. Other new lifts and upgrades will increase lift capacity from the Timber Creek area to the Mountain Village and incorporate an on-mountain restaurant at the top of Caples Crest. Kirkwood's new Mountain Master Development Plan (MMDP) will, over the next decade, provide lift access to hundreds of further acres of "hike-to" terrain and reduce travel time from the front side to the back side of the resort by more than 50 percent.

Kirkwood Beginner Skiing

Most of the green trails are located in the Timber Creek, and because the area does not appeal to the advanced skier, it is a much more comfortable, less intimidating experience for the first-time skier. Four green trails are serviced by the Bunny Triple Chair. On the other side of the Timber Creek base area, the Timber Creek Express Quad services a lone beginner run - Squirrel Ridge. The Mighty Mountain Children's Center is also located at Timber Ridge Base.

On the main side of the resort, beginners have only one lift which services green terrain - the Snowkirk Triple. Two runs - Snowkirk and Hay Flat - are the only options. There are no green runs from the summit.

Kirkwood Intermediate Skiing

A classic ski itinerary might be to warm up on chair #7 for a couple runs then take it up and ski down Up 'n' Over to the front side of the mountain. Try the runs on chair #5 starting skiers right on Lower Monte Wolfe and moving skiers left to Mokelumne, and then Lower Zachary.  Next head to chair #11 and take Buckboard, if with children, also try Snowsnake Gully.

Good time for a lunch break at Bub's Sports Bar and Grill or Monte Wolfe. After lunch head to chair #2 and try Bark Shanty. After a couple runs on chair #2 head over to the backside, chair #4, via Herringbone Straight and Bud's Alley, and try Elevator Shaft and Happiness Is.

Kirkwood Expert Skiing

For powder it has to be Palisades Bowl, Wagon Wheel Bowl, Thunder Saddle and Fawn Ridge. For advanced or expert skier the classic route really depends on the weather and conditions. Powder days are totally different than non-powder days and there are many powder days at Kirkwood.  

On a non-powder day perhaps take a few warm- up runs on chair #11 (Wagon Trail and Conestoga).  Next head to chair #6 and ski Sentinel Bowl, Olympic, and Monte Wolfe. When conditions are good off-piste, go for Lost Cabin and over to Rabbit Runs. After a few laps on each of these trails head to chair #10 and look for the best lines from the chair.  The Wall, Eagle Bowl, and Norm's Nose are all popular trails. Finally make your way over to the backside and take a few trails off chair #4 before heading in via Thunder Saddle.

Boundaries are open at management's discretion and there is unlimited expert terrain accessible. Wagon Wheel Bowl from the top of the cornice (accessed by chair #6 or chair #10) offers steep terrain, which funnels into narrow chutes. Chamoix from chair #6 is a narrow, steep chute. If you continue to explore right of Chamoix, there is a series of great steep pitches with often some of the best snow (no sun exposure). There are numerous snow-filled steep chutes in the Thunder Saddle area, the toughest being Hell's Delight (right along the Cirque boundary line).

Kirkwood Snowboarding

With the varied terrain, especially the number of steep shoots and gullies, the entire resort is a bit of a natural terrain park. In response to a growing demand by skiers and riders for a terrain park system that rivals Kirkwood's natural terrain, Kirkwood is committed to its terrain park program.

Kirkwood now has three terrrain parks, Adventure Land offering gentle rollers and ski-through tunnels; DC shoes playground which has beginner and medium sized jumps designed to hone jib skills; and Kirkwood's main park DC shoes Stomping Grounds, which has jumps, a sound system and a Superpipe. Park riders can always find a variety of freestyle terrain suitable for their ability and interest. The parks offer hits, jumps, tables, spines, and handrails.

Kirkwood Mountain Restaurants

Located in the Lodge at Kirkwood, diners can appreciate spectacular views (along Kirkwood's ridge tops from Thimble Peak to Martin Point) in an intimate setting complete with a cozy fireplace and overstuffed chairs. Sunrise Grill near the base of chair #4 is a quick-stop place serving barbequed ribs, burgers, chicken, snacks, and beverages for avid skiers who want to keep their energy levels high without coming in off the slopes. Outdoor seating in beach-style chairs, and good music make it a great place to just relax in the sun. Bub's Sports Bar and Grill in the village is the place to go for a family-friendly atmosphere. Bub's specializes in all-American cuisine.

Kirkwood Resort

It's already showcasing a new ski-in, ski-out Mountain Village with numerous stores and restaurants and an ice rink at the plaza's edge, offering full amenities to serve both destination visitors and the local community, much like the famous Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado. Other new developments include Kirkwood's Cornice Café, remodeled and reopened as Bub's Sports Bar and Grill, and now a popular place for families. A swimming and fitness complex has also been completed for year-round operation.

Kirkwood Bars & Restaurants

For a great spot to end the day, skiers head for Off the Wall Bar & Grill. Only 35 highway miles (56 km) away, South Lake Tahoe has over 100 dining establishments, 65 lodgings properties, shopping, dancing, live music, entertainment, and gaming action at the casinos where celebrities take the stage every night of the week.

Kirkwood Other Activities

But you don't have to be skiing to enjoy your time at Kirkwood. Just outside Kirkwood there are several trails for snowmobiling. There are lakes for ice fishing, and Grover Hot Springs- a natural outdoor mineral pool -in Markleeville is just a 45-minute drive down the mountain. Slide Mountain Tubing Park opened two years ago.