Heavenly/Kirkwood/Northstar recommendations?

[MeOnSkis]

Planning a trip to Tahoe late February/Early March. I have an EpicPass, so lift tickets are not needed.

With that said, can anyone steer me in the direction of a good place to stay in the Tahoe area? My only requirements is that it is (relatively) affordable and close to one of the three mountains my pass is good for (Heavenly, Kirkwood, or Northstar)

So far I have looked at a place called Basecamp which they say is within walking distance to the Heavenly gondola, and 968 Park Hotel, which is also supposed to be within walking distance to Heavenly.

I'm also interested in whatever information people might have regarding shuttles from Reno International Airport and Tahoe.

Anything I need to see, places to go, or things to watch out for? Thanks in advance.

[Dr. NO]

Always stayed at condos or rental homes so can't help on the place to stay. If the one by Heavenly is reasonable, take it. Pretty central to the 3 areas you are going to. Northstar requires full snow tires and/or chains in bad weather so be prepared for that. Kirkwood is a good drive from the lake, but well worth the trip. ENJOY!

Splurge and hit Alpine Meadows and / or Squaw. Sugar bowl isn't bad either.

[millerm277]

I favor Kirkwood by far out of the 3. There is very little lodging (especially reasonably priced) lodging near Kirkwood, and very little to do. I'd suggest staying in South Lake Tahoe, and you can split time/whatever between driving out to Kirkwood and going to Heavenly (which is basically next door).

How large of a group are you? VRBO can have very reasonably priced houses and such.

[brownman]

Seems you won't have a car if you're asking about Reno shuttle?
That may have a bearing on your local travel.

Heavenly, while south, is a Huge resort, lot of diversity...including a lift from the desert in Nevada.
The casino angle in South Lake may be worth your effort to 'recover' costs

Getiing to Northstar, as has been pointed out can be challenging.
If it's snowing, Mt Rose pass is best by groomer machine.

Squaw and Kirkwood are the 2 best there for terrain and spirt.
North Lake Tahoe (Incline Village) usually has condo's for rent.

Squaw has very good base right now. Hope you get a Pacific Cold low.

[wannabeskibum]

Planning a trip to Tahoe late February/Early March. I have an EpicPass, so lift tickets are not needed.

With that said, can anyone steer me in the direction of a good place to stay in the Tahoe area? My only requirements is that it is (relatively) affordable and close to one of the three mountains my pass is good for (Heavenly, Kirkwood, or Northstar)

So far I have looked at a place called Basecamp which they say is within walking distance to the Heavenly gondola, and 968 Park Hotel, which is also supposed to be within walking distance to Heavenly.

I'm also interested in whatever information people might have regarding shuttles from Reno International Airport and Tahoe.

Anything I need to see, places to go, or things to watch out for? Thanks in advance.

Check out 3 peaks hotel http://www.lake-tahoe-california-hotels.com
Inexpensive, clean, and walking distance to Heavenly Gondola, it is also on Park Avenue

[maggie15]

I stayed in a timeshare a couple of years ago on Nevada side of Tahoe, very nice. Casinos offer some good packages and the embassy suites at the in town gondola in South Lake Tahoe is great. A bit pricier than some other places but you get breakfast, happy hour and evening appetizers. We took a shuttle from So Lake Tahoe to Kirkwood. It cost less per person than a day ticket had I drove myself. Love Kirkwood! No crowds, awesome skiing....Have fun

[MeOnSkis]

I will be heading out to tahoe solo, which is why i'm concerned about pricing, then flying to denver to meet up with a friend who is living in breck for the winter.

Maggie15, is the shuttle to kirkwood limited to certain hotels only or is it a public town shuttle?

Kirkwood is definitely on my list to get to, otherwise i'd probably just head straight to breck and crash at my buddy's pad.

[tahoeskibum]

Hi, I used to live in Tahoe, so I can't direct you to places to stay in, but I can direct you to ski Kirkwood as much as you can while there. It is an awesome mountain with lots of snow and challenging terrain. Heavenly has the views, but Kirkwood rocks the runs!

[Stormchaser]

Stayed on the Nevada side on mountain at Heavenly last time out there. When it snowed 3' and everything was closed, we were one of the only few able to ski that day. And we had Mott's all to our selves. The Cali side of Heavenly never opened that day (wind). Kirkwood isn't far, and you drive from the dry side of the mountains. Backside glades at Northstar are tons of fun.

[MeOnSkis]

thanks for all help guys. just booked a trip from february 19th to february 24th in tahoe at the 3 peaks resort and the 24th to March 4th staying with my friend in breckenridge.

kind of wish i could have stayed in tahoe longer, especially considering they seem to be having the better year of the two, but a hotel room adds up quick and a free place to crash/drinking buddy was too good to pass up.

[maggie15]

The info on the shuttle to Kirkwood was advertised in one or two of those tourist advertiser books. We drove to one of the casinos, parked and met the shuttle there. Very easy because it heads out before the casino crowds start to fill the parking lot.