Far different from the resort neighboring to their north, Alpine Meadows doesn’t focus on a pedestrian village or tableside lunch service. Alpine is all about the mountain – and what a tremendous mountain it is. Skiers and riders can lose themselves for hours on the snow, sapping any energy previously destined for shopping. Of course there’s beginner terrain, and plenty for merry intermediates, but it’s the advanced and expert play land that lets this resort shine.

On the hill:

• The skiing:
For newer riders and skiers, there is an entire area of green runs to the left of the day lodge. This is a mixed blessing, since it isn’t a zoom zone, and you’ll have it all to yourselves. But, there really aren’t any true beginner runs further up the mountain, so you’ll need to get to an intermediate level (let’s say light blue) before venturing upward.

With 40% of Alpine designated as intermediate, this translates to over 35 blue square runs. But adventurers beware, this is true, solid black diamond country – so be sure of your skills before aiming down what might become a chute. Black means black.

• The Lift Time:
Alpine has 13 lifts, which includes two high-speed quads and the six-person express Summit Chair, which are real people-movers. The five older double chairs aren’t exactly slow, but there can be a bit of a line on busy weekends. With 2,400 resort acres, the runs don’t usually get clogged up, but those off Yellow Chair can be busier than others.

• Gotta try runs:
Beginner: Fear not – there are several nurturing runs off Subway and Meadow chairs, plus two surface lifts (one dedicated to junior lessons).

Intermediate: breezing alongside Lakeview Chair, you can choose from over six blue squares, and then there’s that beautiful blue lake in the background.

Or use the Summit Chair to try the wide-open expanse of Alpine Bowl, merging onto Rock Garden for the bottom half. If you’ve only ever been on cut runs, bowls are a rare treat, since there are no pesky trees defining the trail’s edge.

Advanced/Expert: Alpine Meadows is a rocking vast smorgasbord of descents. Maybe try Wolverine Bowl from the top of Summit Chair (turn right at top), because once again, open bowls are amazing. This chair is a nice choice if there are two skill levels in your group. For a more forested feel, head into Sherwood Cliffs coming from the backside – look for Art’s Knob in a good snow year. Or have an adventure in the Scott Chutes, which are skier’s right coming down from Scott Chair. This will pop you out in the beginner area – be gentle.

Kangaroo Chair serves the resident Zaugg superpipe, which is a short double chair, allowing you to work that move over and over and over.

Off the hill:

• The food and drinks:
Alpine has a huge deck wrapped around the base lodge, which is a great place to bring lunch, or simply choose from the cafeteria inside and commute a few feet. On the hill, the Chalet Restaurant is tucked into the base of Scott Chair, which makes it accessible from many points on the mountain.

Over at the backside, at the bottom of Sherwood Chair is the Ice Bar, which is a mini-me version of a base lodge. Long popular for pizza, it’s also a great place for a warming cup of hot cocoa. And back at the main lodge, the bar is a fun après ski spot with years of stories to tell.

• Retail and rental shops:
Open at 8 a.m. each day, rentals are available at the day lodge for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and telemark skiing. Since weekends can get busy, it’s possible to download the rental form and fill it out at home to save time.

Estelle Sports is the retail shop at the lodge – featuring clothing and last minute items from brands like North Face, Spyder, Smith and Oakley. They’re open daily from 8:30 a.m. and no, they don’t sell equipment.

The biggest story about Alpine Meadows, besides the terrain, is the variety of lessons. Besides the normal choices of group and private, kids and adults, snowboard and ski, Alpine offers workshops and clinics on a variety of topics – all with top instructors.

Some options include early season warm-up, moguls, powder, women’s only, men’s only, master’s race training and guided out of bounds tours. Also Babes in the Backcountry lets the fairer sex launch or improve upon backcountry skills.

See it in our guide.

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