The Scene
This is a skier's mountain. Kirkwood will be appreciated most by strong intermediate to super-expert skiers. From Thimble Peak (elevation 9,876 feet), there are 11 double-black-diamond runs, and they represent a world of hurt for lesser skiers.
Kirkwood has every kind of terrain a ski area could want: bowls, cornices, saddles, chutes, glades and, fortunately, a few flats for beginners. Snowboarders have access to the entire mountain, including a freestyle park with quarter-pipes, tabletop jumps, a snake jump and a large spine jump.
Extras
Pluses include a variety of lodging (all in condos), good food service and high-quality, user-friendly ski instruction. Negatives include the ski area's distance from South Lake Tahoe, occasional tricky driving over high passes, and the lack of shopping or other apres-ski activities for overnight guests.
Vertical Drop: 2000
Base Elevation: 7800
Top Elevation: 9800
Hours of Operation: 9am-4pm
Lifts: 12
Skiable Acres: 2300
Number of Runs: 65+
Beginner Terrain: 15%
Intermediate Terrain: 50%
Advanced Terrain: 35%