The Hautest Slopes: Aspen, Lake Tahoe and Telluride

NORTH SHORE, LAKE TAHOE
The North Shore of Lake Tahoe is a majestic location that features multiple idyllic ski resorts blessed with an average annual snowfall of more than 400 inches, combined with an enviable average of more than 274 days of sun, making for the whitest and brightest winters in North America.

Skiing in North Shore

Squaw Valley
As the largest mountain in North Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley’s best-kept secret is that in addition to providing arguably the most challenging slopes, it also features five beginner areas located mid-mountain, with the most impressive views of the lake. Squaw Valley is known for KT-22, a lift accessing the most vertical footage in North America. With a summit elevation of 9,050 feet and a vertical drop of 2,850 feet, the longest run in Squaw Valley goes for three miles. The mountain boasts more than 30 restaurants and bars, with an ice skating and pool area at the summit.

The Stats
NUMBER OF TRAILS: 76
TYPES OF TRAILS: BEGINNER 45%, INTERMEDIATE 30%, ADVANCED 30%
LIFTS: 1 CABLE CAR, 1 FUNITEL, 3 EXPRESS SIX-PACKS, 4 HIGH-SPEED QUADS,
1 QUAD, 8 TRIPLES, 8 DOUBLES, 4 SURFACE, 1 PULSE LIFT.
WWW.SQUAW.COM

Northstar at Lake Tahoe
Another popular resort at Lake Tahoe is the Northstar Resort, which features a variety of on-mountain dining facilities, ski and snowboard school for children and adults, a new Village at Northstar that includes top retailers and restaurants, a 9,000-square-foot ice skating rink, a lift-accessed tubing hill, and the largest snowmaking system of any resort in North Lake Tahoe, covering more than 50 percent of Northstar Resort’s 91 trails. Northstar continues to make improvements and add amenities throughout the resort, which upholds the location’s reputation for catering to guests looking for the very best in winter mountain destinations. This season, guests can enjoy two new lifts, new snowmaking and grooming capabilities, and new beginner teaching areas and programs.

The Stats
SEASON DATES: NOVEMBER 21, 2009 TO APRIL 18, 2010
NUMBER OF TRAILS: 91
TYPES OF TRAILS: BEGINNER 13%, INTERMEDIATE 60%, ADVANCED 27%
LIFTS: 19

WWW.NORTHSTARATTAHOE.COM

Lodging in North Shore

The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe
Situated at mid-mountain at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, the luxurious year-round Ritz-Carlton Highlands opened on December 9, 2009 and features ski-in, ski-out access; mountain valet services; Manzanita, the resort’s signature restaurant created by renowned San Francisco Chef Traci Des Jardins; and an awe-inspiring 17,000-square-foot spa and fitness center. Adjacent to The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, the 25 two-, three- and four-bedroom Destination Club residences offer dramatic mountain and valley views of the Sierra Nevada. The Ritz-Carlton Club, Lake Tahoe is the first new-build resort development in the Lake Tahoe area in decades and the first five-star caliber ski resort ever to open in the area.

HAUTE AMENITIES: Fireplaces in each guest room and suite; iPod docking station; 400-thread-count linens with goose-down comforters.
HAUTE SERVICES: Twenty-four-hour concierge services; spa and fitness center with 16 treatment rooms; two outdoor swimming pools; technology butler,;and Ritz-Carlton Club level with private check-in and check-out and five food and beverage presentations daily.

13031 RITZ-CARLTON HIGHLANDS COURT
TRUCKEE, CA 96161
530.562.3000
WWW.RITZCARLTON.COM

Northstar Resort Luxury Villas
Located just moments from ski lifts and in the heart of the shops and restaurants in the vibrant Village at Northstar, these luxury one- to four-bedroom condominiums provide expansive views of the mountain surroundings in an intimate lodging experience. The Northstar Resort offers options such as the Catamount Lodge, which is located directly across from the Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort gondola, where a three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence ranges from $549 to $1,499 per night and features access to a fitness facility, steam room, and outdoor hot tub. In the same price range at One Village Place, travelers to Northstar can also enjoy a 1,900-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom residence suitable for up to eight guests, complete with a gourmet kitchen, spa-inspired bathrooms, a private balcony, and a fireplace in the living room.

530.562.2205
WWW.NORTHSTARATTAHOE.COM

Dining in North Shore

PlumpJack Café, Squaw Valley
Widely regarded as Lake Tahoe’s premier dining destination, PlumpJack Café features a seasonal menu based on regional influences, indigenous flavors, and locally farmed ingredients. The PlumpJack Group operates PlumpJack and CADE wineries, so the restaurant’s wine list and wines by-the-glass program are impressive. The cafe welcomes several renowned winemakers for dinners and special events throughout the year. (1920 Squaw Valley Rd., Olympic Valley / 530.583.1578)

Le Bistro
Le Bistro focuses on fine French cuisine and features items such as fresh black winter truffle soup en croute, fresh Belon oysters on half shell with ginger mignonette, and crispy duck magret with lemon thyme, blood orange, and Anna potatoes. Order a la carte, or check out the  menu and prix-fix tasting menu. (120 Country Club Dr. #29, Incline Village, NV / 775.831.0800)