1. Kid friendly, and excellent children's school

Diamond Peak has been at the forefront of children's teaching for many years. Their Bea Ferrato Child Ski Center is for ages 3-7, offering both private and group lessons. No more than five students are ever in a group class. Granlibakken Resort is open every Fri-Sat-Sun of the winter, plus holiday weeks. They offer only learning terrain, plus a snowplay/saucer area, which is open each day during winter. And Soda Springs is another beginner-only resort, with two lifts for skiing and two more for tubing. All three resorts teach both skiing and snowboarding.


2. Terrain Parks

For the younger set and the adventurous of all ages, Boreal Resort has terrain parks, a 450' long Zaugg Superpipe and a new all-mountain terrain park. This season, they've added 50 new rails and fun boxes, plus 50 new snow features. Boreal also has the only Superpipe open for night riding. Northstar-at-Tahoe has six terrain parks spread over the entire mountain, plus a Superpipe. Need to perfect your jibbing? They also have a Burton Learn-to-Ride Center for all ages.


3. Steeps

Can you say KT-22? Of course, Squaw Valley is best known for their outrageous terrain, more than any other Tahoe resort. And they deserve that reputation, since they have one of the highest concentrations of expert runs and off-piste territory in the West. Add in the steep bowls, chutes and trees at both Kirkwood and Sugar Bowl, plus the newly infamous Mt. Rose Chutes, and you'll have quite the week of quad exhaustion...


4. Views

That beautiful lake is why most people want to visit Tahoe. That said, Homewood and Heavenly host the most stunning vistas of Big Blue. Alpine Meadows and Diamond Peak also have a couple of pretty spectacular lake-view runs, while several resorts offer a glimpse. A camera and a few moments to enjoy are a must while visiting these resorts. Also, if you plan to have an on-mountain photo service take a group or family photo, Lake Tahoe makes a spectacular backdrop.


5. Affordable

In an era of $80 day passes, affordable lift tickets are a valued amenity, especially for families keeping to a budget. Mt. Rose just loves to offer discounted tickets. Try Two-for-Tuesdays (two day passes for $65), Over-the-Hill Wednesday, when those 50 and older ski for $35 and Ladies Day Thursday, when those of the 'gentler' gender pay only $29. Donner Ski Ranch has been offering 'a simpler ski experience' since they opened in 1937. They have loads of discounts, with adults paying only $15 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Children five-and-under are free with a paying adult. Nearby Tahoe Donner's slogan is "committed to family fun," and they keep prices to $35 for adults and just $15 for children and seniors.


6. Shopping

Northstar-at-Tahoe, Heavenly and Squaw all have base area villages chock-full of brand-name shopping. When the athletic types are whiling away daylight on-piste, non-skiers or riders can enjoy shopping along the cobbled walks with stylish stores like Oakley, The North Face, Mikuni Sushi and Olivier Napa Valley (Northstar); Patagonia, Quiksilver, Wines on the Lake (tastings too!) and Wyland Gallery (Heavenly); Blue Sky Clothing, Gallery Keoki and Surefoot Custom Bootfitters (Squaw). Northstar and Heavenly also have village ice rinks, Squaw has theirs at mid-mountain.


7. Snow Play

A day of sledding or inner-tubing down a gentle pitch is often as enjoyable as a day at the slopes. Often groups will buy saucers and find a hill to hike, but the true snow play resorts, like Soda Springs and Granlibakken, take the trudge factor out of the day. With dedicated lifts and no skiers zooming past, there's more time for snowy play.


8. Learning terrain

Just like the snowplay areas, it's a big deal to not have better skiers and riders swooping down the learning terrain. What makes a great beginner zone is not only gentle terrain, but also slopes away from the maddening crowd. While there are many resorts with dedicated, safe beginner runs, Alpine Meadows, Sierra-at-Tahoe and Tahoe Donner stand out for extra-protected learning slopes. Another bonus is that neophytes can see the entire green-circle run top-to-bottom, before getting on the lift.


9. Cross Country/ Snowshoeing

Some folks simply prefer a calmer pace, which is easily found at Tahoe's various cross-country ski resorts. Dotted around the basin are Royal Gorge, near Truckee, Tahoe City X-C, Spooner Lake X-C and Kirkwood Meadows. All offer lesson packages, which covers rental, group class and a trail pass. Snowshoe rentals and trails are also available; either activity is a nice option to a traditional ski vacation, and a relaxing way to spend a weekend day, when ski resort crowds are at their peak.


10. Night life

Ahhh, the legendary après-ski! For some, it's a non-entity, since they can barely manage dinner after a long day on the slopes. For others, it's why they visit Lake Tahoe – views, resorts, and nightlife not found in the Rockies. Heavenly is closest to the Nevada casinos, which offer stellar shows and dining within two blocks of many lodging properties. On the north shore, Northstar and Diamond Peak are within a few miles of the Crystal Bay casinos, again offering big-name music and great dining. Squaw Valley has its own brand of nightlife, including night skiing and riding, plus the ice rink at mid-mountain.