This year we had the Epic Pass (Gifted) for our family for the first time. As our kids get older, we were more comfortable taking them to ski more often and this was their year! They improved with leaps and bounds with drastic differences from the beginning of the season to the end. Consistency is key which made having the Epic Pass a game changer.

Here is a breakdown of all three resorts we visited along with some tips to prep for the next season!

Northstar

Northstar was the resort we frequented the most! It’s easy to get to, expansive, with many additional activities, shops, and restaurants in the Northstar Village that can’t be beat! The kids loved taking the gondola up and down the mountain and the staff do a great job keeping the line moving quickly and safely. We loved the variety and number of runs that are available. One thing we found very helpful was that many runs have different skill levels (green, blue, black) at the beginning of the run but end up at the same place. So we found ourselves splitting up at times for our preferences but being able to meet back up easily. Also wanted to note that Northstar does an amazing job of keeping the groomers nice. We visited after a dry spell and expected crappy snow but it was actually perfect!

Make sure to check out the back side where it is a lot less crowded and still has great runs and views!

Heavenly

The views at Heavenly can’t be beat! Many of their runs have views of Lake Tahoe that leave you in awe. We love that this resort is located right on the boarder of California and Nevada with many runs in each state. It gave it a fun unique aspect that is hard to find anywhere else. A couple times we decided to park at Boulder Lodge which is at the back side of the mountain. This parking area allows for easier access directly to the mountain via ski lift instead of walking through the village to the gondola. Much easier when you have kids in tow but be aware that the parking lot is not big so go early or later for a higher chance of getting a spot.

If you have time, its always fun to check out their tubing on site!

Kirkwood

We love the laid back friendly vibes at Kirkwood! Its a smaller resort but with some amazing terrain. Find your favorite runs and enjoy them with less crowds. We were lucky enough to ski there after a storm and the snow was perfect. When visiting at the beginning of the season, we accidently went down a black and a staff member stopped to give some tips on how to get down safely and the path to take. It certainly helped with the confidence and will power to head down (it was actually not that bad since it was all powder)!

We prefer this resort when we know it’ll be a busy day on the slopes!

Tips:

1. Make sure to see if parking reservation is needed! On busy days and weekends, parking reservations are required and often sell out. There are different parking options to choose from as well as a free carpool option for cars with 4 or more people.
2. Use your Epic Pass for 20% off food, lodging, lessons, rentals and more
3. Get a ski clip, strap, or ski pack– our kids were fine carrying their skis and poles up the mountain but were always too tired when coming back down so having something to keep the skis and poles together was a lifesaver.
4. Highly suggest bringing a face mask/covering and hand warmers for the colder/windy days.
5. We always bring snacks and water in a small backpack for the kids to eat if they get hungry in line or on the ski lift.
6. Bring sunscreen! It’s easy to get burned when there’s even just a bit of sunshine or clouds since the snow reflects the rays.
7. Wear layers. There were many days where we found ourselves putting on and taking off layers depending on the time of day. It can start out a cold day but once the sun peaks through it can get hot really fast!