Kirkwood Mountain Resort in California and Escape2ski provides info on; vertical drop 2000ft/610m, total trails 86, closest airport 81mi/130km, and more.

The Resort is located to the south of Lake Tahoe, California. The area that Kirkwood Mountain Resort presently occupies was first discovered by Zack Kirkwood, a cattle rancher who envisioned opening an inn.

The aptly named Kirkwood Inn opened in 1864 as a roadhouse along the old Amador Wagon Road and was part of the Gold Rush period in El Dorado County’s history. After Zack passed away, the ownership and operation of the inn remained with the family.

In 1966, the family sold the inn to a group of investors headed by Bud Klein. After several years of planning and creating a framework for the future of the area as a ski resort, Bud Klein the avid skier and financier saw his dream realized when the Kirkwood Mountain Resort opened in 1972.

The ski resort has grown from its early days into a year-round resort that is accessible by State Route 88 and Kirkwood Meadows Drive. Due to the remote location of the Kirkwood Mountain Resort, all who visit will experience the true freedom of being in this quaint village so close to nature.

On the Slopes

• When you arrive at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, a wonderful mountain experience awaits you. A quaint village plus wonderful scenery equals an experience to last a lifetime. The trail system is vast and well-laid out to provide a challenge for every level of winter enthusiast. The Wall has earned a reputation for being a slope that will catch your attention the minute you see it.
• Kirkwood Mountain Resort has two terrain parks. Even if you are new to the terrain park culture, not to worry, the Bandit Park near Chair 7 will allow you the opportunity to gain some confidence with beginner jumps, rails, and boxes.
• When you are ready to take it to the next level, the Outlaw Terrain Park at Chair 5 will introduce you to some adrenalin action with advanced jumps, boxes, and all important rails.
• Kirkwood Ski & Ride School is waiting with their trained and dedicated instructors to assist you with improving your skills on the slopes. There are many lessons and program options available starting with kids as early as age 3 and 4. There is adult learn-to-ski, private, and group lessons for beginner and intermediate levels, as well as, the Epic Mix Academy.
• Expedition Kirkwood, a program for intermediate plus skiers and snowboarders, allows individuals to take it to the next level with various clinics, including programs specifically for women.

Off the Slopes

• Kirkwood Mountain Resort provides a cozy environment that is perfect for the family to get out and enjoy the slopes. There are various slope-side lodging options at the base, which means more time to enjoy the great scenery, the terrain, and the intimate village setting.
• Shopping is available at several Kirkwood Mountain Sports locations where you can find hats, gloves, goggles, souvenirs and other merchandise items. There is also a General Store available to stock up on grocery items and various establishments for food and beverage.
• You can find everything from casual to fine dining at places such as Monte Wolfe’s Mountain Kitchen, The Cornice Grill, The Wall, and the always-popular Kirkwood Inn and Saloon.
• The Kirkwood Cross Country Center has 48mi/80km of Cross Country Skiing Trails available starting right next to the Kirkwood Inn. There are groomed trails that are suited for all ability levels with features such as the Kiddy Kilometre for the entire family, day lodge with hot chocolate, three (3) warming huts, and lessons, and tours. Snowshoeing is also permitted.
• An option to staying at Kirkwood Mountain Resort is to stay in South Lake Tahoe where you can keep the juices flowing with a trip to one of the five-24 hour casinos filled with thousands of slot machines and hundreds of tables, all of which are located across the state line in the Nevada portion of Lake Tahoe.
• In South Lake Tahoe you will also find lots of lodging, shopping, and dining options, as well as, world-class entertainment and music. Catch a show at a casino or quite simply take a walk and check out all that the area has to offer.