TRUCKEE / NORTH TAHOE SKI & SNOWBOARD RESORTS & FAQS
TripOutside lists the local Truckee/North Lake Tahoe shops with the highest reviews on Google/Yelp/TripAdvisor (at least 4.0 star weighted average) to make sure you have the best rental experience possible. We want to make sure we feature the top local outfitters with the best gear for your ski or snowboard vacation.
How much does it cost for snowboard rental in Truckee / North Lake Tahoe?
On average, the cost for a Performance Snowboard Package in Truckee, CA is $54 per day. Renting only the skis or a snowboard is less. Rates may vary for holiday weekends such as Presidents Day.
Get an exclusive 10% discount with Black Tie Ski Delivery when you book on TripOutside!
Where can you snowboard in Truckee / North Lake Tahoe?
BOREAL MOUNTAIN
Located on Interstate 80 along Lake Tahoe, Boreal Mountain Resort is one of the easiest resorts to access from Northern California and Nevada. Boasting almost 80% snowmaking coverage, Boreal is one of the first Lake Tahoe resorts to open each winter. The mountain averages 400 inches of snowfall per season alongside 240 days of sunshine a year.
The resort is home to family friendly terrain combined with more advanced intermediate trails. The resort is known for having a great atmosphere and provides spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Click here for the interactive Boreal Mountain trail map.
BOREAL MOUNTAIN STATS
| Vertical Drop: | 500 ft / 152 m |
| Base Elevation: | 7200 ft / 2195 m |
| Summit Elevation: | 7700 ft / 2347 m |
| Skiable Area: | 480 acres |
| Average Snowfall: | 400 in / 1016 cm |
| Total Trails: | 34 |
| Beginner: | 8 (24%) |
| Intermediate: | 11 (32%) |
| Advanced: | 15 (44%) |
| Expert: | 0 (0%) |
| Terrain Parks & Pipes: | 8 |
| Snow Cross: | No |
| Super Pipe: | Yes |
| Half Pipe: | Yes |
| Jib Park: | Yes |
NORTHSTAR RESORT
Located in North Lake Tahoe, nothing beats escaping to Northstar to explore skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities. Acknowledged by Travel + Leisure as the “premier family destination,” Northstar is continuously regarded as the mountain that makes guests from both near and far feel right at home. Northstar’s 97 trails are skewed toward the intermediate skier (60%) but there also are 347 acres of gate-accessible advanced terrain.
Click here for the interactive Northstar trail map.
NORTHSTAR STATS
| Base Elevation: | 6,330 ft |
| Summit Elevation: | 8,610 ft |
| Total Acres of Skiable Terrain: | 3,170 |
| Vertical Rise: | 2,280 ft |
| Number of Trails: | 100 |
| Annual Snowfall: | 350 inches |
| Longest Run: | 1.4 miles |
| Terrain Parks: | 9 |
| Lifts: | 20 |
| Easiest: | 13% |
| Intermediate: | 60% |
| Advanced: | 27% |
SUGAR BOWL RESORT
One of the oldest ski resorts in California, Sugar Bowl has a storied past with ties to Austrian ski culture, Hollywood and Walt Disney. This special resort helped bring skiing to “sunny California,” was home to the state’s first chairlift, and the west’s first ski gondola.
Perched atop Tahoe’s Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl Resort is the closest major resort to Sacramento and the Bay Area. Sugar Bowl offers terrain to accommodate beginners and challenge experts, spreading across four peaks serviced by 12 lifts and 1500 acres with 500 inches of annual snowfall. Guests can access the resort through two portals–a quick ride on the historic gondola to the snow bound Village or slope side parking at the modern Mt. Judah Day Lodge.
Click here for the interactive Sugar Bowl trail map.
SUGAR BOWL STATS
| Base Elevation: | 6,883 ft |
| Summit Elevation: | 8,383 ft |
| Total Acres of Skiable Terrain: | 1,650 |
| Vertical Rise: | 1,500 ft |
| Number of Trails: | 105 |
| Annual Snowfall: | 500 inches |
| Longest Run: | 3 miles |
| Lifts: | 12 |
| Easiest: | 15% |
| Intermediate: | 45% |
| Advanced: | 28% |
| Expert: | 12% |
When can you snowboard in Truckee / North Lake Tahoe?
The skiing season in Lake Tahoe starts in mid-November, and continues up until the end of April. The best month to ski Lake Tahoe is typically in February when skiing conditions are good, and resorts get some serious fresh pow.
Which ski resort in Truckee/North Lake Tahoe is best for beginners?
There are many great beginner trails at the ski resorts in Truckee/ North Lake Tahoe. These resorts have great amenities and a large amount of terrain for those new to skiing. Some of the top ski resorts in the Truckee area for beginners include:
| Resort | Beginner Acres | Beginner % |
| Squaw Valley | 1500 | 25% |
| Northstar California Resort | 412 | 13% |
| Mount Rose Ski Tahoe | 360 | 30% |
| Sugar Bowl | 248 | 15% |
| Boreal Mountain | 115 | 24% |
Is Lake Tahoe good for snowboarding?
Tucked in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range overlooking California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is home to 15 world-class ski resorts, with terrain for beginners through expert skiers and snowboarders. The highest summit at Lake Tahoe ski resorts is over 10,000 feet at Heavenly, with a 3500 foot vertical. The Tahoe ski resorts get up to 500 inches of snowfall annually. The biggest ski resort is Squaw Valley, with 6,000 acres of terrain and 245 runs.
How much does it cost to snowboard in Truckee / North Lake Tahoe?
The total daily cost to snowboard at the major resorts in Truckee / North Lake Tahoe, including snowboard rental, lift ticket, lunch and accommodation is as follows:
| Resort | Total Daily Cost | Truckee Snowboard Rental | Lift Ticket | Lunch | Accommodation |
| Squaw Valley | $330 | $45 | $159 | $15 | $111 |
| Northstar California Resort | $414 | $65 | $147 | $15 | $187 |
| Sugar Bowl | $253 | $45 | $118 | $17 | $73 |
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TYPES OF SNOWBOARD RENTAL PACKAGES (DEMO, PERFORMANCE, SPORT)?
Demo (or premium) packages are for the advanced snowboarder that wants a specific snowboard rental to match their specific riding style or matching the skis to the terrain. These are high-end, high-performance skis and snowboards.
Performance packages are intended for intermediate to beginner levels, typically for groomed terrain and generally have a stiffer, more specialized flex pattern, and may be wider in the waist.
Sport packages are primarily for groomed runs and intended for more beginner level skiers or snowboarders.
**All packages include downhill skis or snowboard, bindings, boots and poles (ski).
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL PACKAGE?
Packages include downhill skis or snowboard, bindings, boots and poles (ski).
HOW CAN I SAVE MONEY ON SKI AND SNOWBOARD RENTALS?
Renting online in advance can save you money. Many outfitters offer online reservation rates that are better than walk-in rates. This helps the shops manage their inventory and plan in advance. It also guarantees availability of equipment. TripOutside also has exclusive discounts for customers booking rental gear online from Black Tie Ski Delivery and other ski rental shops.
CAN I JUST RENT SKIS OR A SNOWBOARD? I DON’T NEED THE FULL PACKAGE.
Yes, most shops also rent just skis or a snowboard.
HOW DOES SNOWBOARD RENTAL DELIVERY WORK?
Don’t ever wait in line at the ski shop again! Black Tie Ski Delivery’s hassle-free delivery service will save you time, which means you’ll have more time on the slopes to enjoy with family and friends. They open earlier and stay open later to ensure the best delivery time for guests and to provide slope side assistance when needed.
Fittings are generally done the night before your first day of skiing, this way you can wake up stress-free and have everything you need to hit the slopes for first tracks. Certified ski rental technicians will select and deliver your ski or snowboard equipment to your lodging property at your scheduled delivery time. Their ski technicians will custom fit you with the latest ski and board equipment based on your rental package, ability level, and the current snow conditions. Their delivery vans come fully stocked with lots of options and sizes so they can be sure all of your equipment fits properly.
Returns are just as convenient and easy as delivery. When you are finished with your rentals, Black Tie Ski Delivery will come back to your lodging and retrieve the equipment with no need to intrude on your dining or travel plans.
