Five must do ski and snowboard experiences in Nevada

There’s more to Nevada than Las Vegas and the Mojave desert. Make your way from Reno airport to the shores of Lake Tahoe and bring your skis and snowboard to experience Nevada snow style at any of these resorts. Did we mention heli skiing?

Heavenly Ski Resort, best for big terrain

Technically Heavenly is both Nevada and California and you can even ski across the state line. Try your luck in the town of South Lake Tahoe at the roulette table on the Nevada side and dine on pokè bowls on the California side.

Expect 4800 skiable acres of mainly intermediate to advanced terrain with lake views and a ski in ski out après scene reminiscent of Europe. Add the new Edgewood Tahoe resort in Nevada right on the lake with hot pools, après bar and the best day spa in the state and you can call yourself a serious rockstar. 

Mt Rose, best for locals vibe

A mere 30 minutes from Reno airport, Mt Rose stands tall on the skyline as you head towards Tahoe. This local’s resort has been serving up skiing since the 1930s and was established as a ski resort in 1964.

It now has over 1200 acres of skiable terrain, more than 60 trails and a swanky Winters Creek day lodge perched 9700 feet (2900 + metres) above sea level. Mt Rose really does provide for all with half the resort dedicated to beginners and intermediates, three terrain parks and extreme terrain in The Chutes. 

Diamond Peak, best for beginners and families

You can access Diamond Peak Ski Resort from the coolest lakeside town of Incline Village (think of it as an accessible country club for skiers). 

The boutique ski resort is 655 acres of family fun, no lift lines and stunning lake vistas. Parents sill love the interchangeable parent passes so you can tag team hanging with the kids and getting ‘me time’.  Over 75 percent of the resort is beginner to intermediate so it’s a great place to get your confidence before hitting up the bigger Nevada resorts. 

Lee Canyon, best for Las Vegas

So you’ve over done yourself on the strip, drank too many bubbles, lost and won too many times and you need a dose of the great outdoors. Lee Canyon (former Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort) is just down the road. A 45 minute drive will get you on the snow in the only ski resort in southern Nevada.

There are only three lifts, but you’re out of the city so get excited. Snowmaking supplements the 212 inches (530 centimetres) of annual natural snowfall to keep the resort skiable throughout the season. Plus the resort boasts 85 percent of intermediate to advanced terrain. 

Ruby Mountain Heli Skiing best for boasting

Yes, you read that right. Heli skiing in Nevada in the Ruby Mountain Range with the family owned and operated Ruby Mountains Heli Experience. Take your pick of 200 000 acres of wild terrain accessed with a fully qualified heli guide.

They even have a snow cat ski experience for heli down days and the coolest Ruby Yurt and Ruby 360 Lodge for those that want to spend multi days burning their thighs.