Kirkwood

Amador County

California

United States

Caples Lake Resort

The HideOut

Kirkwood Inn

Mountain Club at Kirkwood Mountain Resort

Kirkwood Mountain Resort by Vail Resorts

Kirkwood Base Camp

Kirkwood Mountain Resort Properties

Snowcrest by Kirkwood Resort

Lost Cabin

Kirkwood Hero 2024 - Downhill

Red Cliffs Cam

Kirkwood Mountain Snow Stake Webcam

resort.overview.heroTitle

Tahowaiian

Sierra-at-Tahoe

Sierra-at-Tahoe Hero 2024 - Sign

Grandview Live Cam

Summit Cam

West Bowl Live Cam

Plaza Deck Live Cam

Huckleberry Gates

View of Lake Tahoe

Sierra-at-Tahoe - Twin Bridges

Entrance to Sierra

Echo Summit

Bear Valley Resort Facebook

A skier admiring the tremendous views of the Sierra Mountains at Bear Valley.

Bear Valley

Base Cam 

Corey Rich/Heavenly Mountain Resort

Heavenly

Heavenly - Top of Dipper Cam

Heavenly - Mid Station Cam

Heavenly - Top of Tram Cam

Heavenly - East Peak

Homewood Mountain Resort

Homewood Mountain Resort Hero 2024 - Lift line and fresh track

Ellis Lift Cam

Mid-Mountain Big Blue View Bar

Dodge Ridge

Dodge Ridge Hero 2024 - Aerial view of lift

Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort

Summit Webcam

Dodge Ridge - Base Area webcam

Dodge Ridge - Way Station Lodge Cam

Palisades Tahoe / Grant Kaye

Palisades Tahoe resort hero image.

Palisades Tahoe

Far East Cam

Palisades Tahoe Scope 8200' Cam

Palisades Tahoe - Siberia Cam

Palisades Tahoe - Olympic Valley Base 6200' Cam

Olympic Valley 360º Roundshot Cam

Palisades Tahoe - Alpine Peak Cam

Alpine Race Cam

Diamond Peak Ski Resort

Nevada

Diamond Peak

Diamond Peak - Summit Cam

Diamond Peak - Snowflake Lodge Mid-Mountain Cams

Lower Show-Off Cam

Shutterstock

Northstar California

Northstar Mid-Mountain Cam

Northstar Mt. Pluto Summit

Northstar Snow Stake

Sugar Bowl bluebird

Sugar Bowl Resort

Mid Mountain Lodge

360A0592-4

Kirkwood 20170301 TC 1318

KWD Cross-Country

VailResorts 20180317 kirkwoodsnow2 tomascohen 031 HighRes

Family-Apres

4Z0A9440-2

4Z0A9435-2

4Z0A9358-3

360A2229-3

360A0171-3

20190312 KW tidwell 002

20180317 kirkwoodsnow2 tomascohen 588

011723 Kirkwood bluebird-riding-with-Steve-Seime Dennis-Baggett-1

010922 Red Cliff Slash GoPro Screen Shot 2022-01-09

010323 Kirkwood Chris-Whatford--Molly-Armanino--Claire-Hewitt-Demeyer-pow-day-shoot Dennis-Baggett---social-res--5-of-7-

Kirkwood Mountain Resort is a year-round mountain destination located along the Sierra Crest in the Eldorado National Forest <a href="https://www.onthesnow.com/south-lake-tahoe/ski-resorts">south of Lake Tahoe</a> in <a href="https://www.onthesnow.com/california/ski-resorts">California</a>. The terrain at Kirkwood offers skiers and riders everything from long groomed trails to expert lines and chutes. The resort receives abundant snowfall each season coupled with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
The village contains ski-in, ski-out accommodations with adjacent shops and restaurants. The resort also plays host to other activities, including cross country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sled tours and backcountry access.
Where Is Kirkwood Mountain Ski Resort Located? Kirkwood Mountain Ski Resort is located about one and a half hours from Reno and two hours from Sacramento. If you&rsquo;re driving, avoid the Mormon Emigrant Trail, Shake Ridge Road and Fiddletown Road. The Mormon Emigrant Trail is closed during the winter, and the other two are narrow, windy and steep.
The two closest airports are Reno/Tahoe International Airport and Sacramento International Airport. You can rent a car from the airport. There are also luxury shuttle buses from major areas like San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Oakland and more that run most weekends and some weekdays.

Kirkwood is accessible via several regional airports, with Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) just 58 miles away and Sacramento International Airport (SMF) approximately 113 miles to the west. Shuttle services like Sunrise Shuttle and South Tahoe Airporter offer seasonal transfers, and private car services are available for direct access. Driving from South Lake Tahoe takes about 45 minutes via Highway 88, though road conditions can vary during storms&mdash;early arrival is recommended on powder days.
Once at the resort, guests benefit from a mix of free and paid parking options, with carpool incentives available on weekends and holidays. A reservation-based system is in place for peak periods, and ski-in/ski-out access is available at select accommodations. Kirkwood also operates a free internal shuttle connecting the village, base lodges, and key lift areas. Ride-sharing services are limited, so planning ahead for transit is advised.

Lodging at Kirkwood includes slopeside condos, cozy cabins, and townhomes clustered around the village and Timber Creek base area. Options range from family-friendly units with kitchens and bunk rooms to romantic studios and luxury chalets with mountain views. Many properties offer ski-in/ski-out access or are within walking distance of lifts and dining. Whether you're traveling with kids, a partner, or a group of friends, accommodations are designed for comfort, convenience, and easy access to the slopes.

<h3>Breakfast Places</h3>
<ul>
<li>If you&rsquo;re looking for something fast like breakfast burritos, Monte Wolfe&rsquo;s Mountain Kitchen is a cafeteria-style kitchen. 1501 Kirkwood Meadows Dr, Kirkwood, CA 95646</li>
</ul>
<h3>Our Favorite Lunch Spots</h3>
<ul>
<li>The Kirkwood Inn and Saloon sits at 7,800 feet and is a California Historical Landmark, having been built in 1864. It also serves up your favorite comfort food. CA-88, Kirkwood, CA 95646</li>
</ul>
<h3>Dinner</h3>
<ul>
<li>Cornice Pizza is located right on the mountain, but it&rsquo;s only open during the season. 1390 Kirkwood Meadows Dr, Kirkwood, CA 95646</li>
</ul>
<h3>Apres/Nightlife</h3>
<ul>
<li>Also located right on the mountain, 7800 Bar &amp; Grill is the place to stop for some great sandwiches and burgers as well some tasty beverages. 1511 Kirkwood Meadows Dr, Kirkwood, CA 95646</li>
</ul>

Kirkwood&rsquo;s terrain is defined by its dramatic vertical drop of 2,000 ft and a layout that spans 2,300 acres across three distinct peaks. The resort&rsquo;s 84 trails are served by 13 lifts, including high-speed quads and surface lifts that efficiently connect skiers to varied terrain. From mellow groomers to cliff-lined chutes, Kirkwood offers a full spectrum of skiing experiences.
Beginners will find welcoming terrain near the Timber Creek base, where wide runs like Bunny and Schoolyard provide space to learn and build confidence. These areas are served by surface lifts and are close to the ski school and tubing lane, making them ideal for families and first-timers. The lower mountain also features gentle cruisers like Snowkirk and TC Express, which are groomed regularly and offer scenic views.
Intermediate skiers can explore the Reut and Solitude zones, where trails like Monte Wolfe and Zachary deliver consistent pitch and longer descents. These runs are perfect for refining technique and enjoying uninterrupted laps. The Sunrise lift on the backside offers additional blue terrain with a quieter atmosphere and expansive views of the surrounding wilderness.
Advanced terrain dominates the upper mountain, with steep runs off Cornice Express and The Wall. Look Out Janek and Sentinel Bowl are standout options, offering sustained vertical and natural features. The chutes and gullies in Wagon Wheel Bowl challenge skiers with variable snow and technical entries, while the terrain off Chair 6 provides fast, fall-line skiing with minimal grooming.
Expert skiers gravitate toward double-black zones like Chamoix, Cliff Chute, and Oops and Poops. These runs feature narrow entrances, exposed ridgelines, and drop-ins that demand precision and confidence. The resort&rsquo;s layout allows for creative line choices and access to untouched snow even days after a storm. Thimble Peak and The Sisters offer backcountry-style descents within lift-served boundaries.
Freestyle riders can explore four terrain parks, each with a distinct setup. The main park near Chair 1 includes jumps, rails, and boxes for all skill levels, while the smaller parks near Timber Creek and Solitude cater to progression. The resort also features 18 park rails and a natural halfpipe formed by gullies on the lower mountain, adding variety to the freestyle experience.

Start your powder day on Chair 6. The terrain off Cornice Express holds snow exceptionally well, and Look Out Janek offers a steep, groomed descent that&rsquo;s perfect for early laps. If it&rsquo;s a deep day, traverse west from the top to Sentinel Bowl&mdash;this area catches wind-loaded snow and stays fresh longer than the frontside.
Mid-morning, head to The Wave, a cornice drop near the backside that delivers soft landings and wide turns. It&rsquo;s accessed via Chair 4 and offers a mix of open bowl skiing and natural features. For a longer descent, take the 2.5-mile run from the top of Sunrise down to Caples Crest&mdash;it&rsquo;s scenic, quiet, and ideal for carving.
Families should explore Timber Creek in the afternoon. The tubing lane opens at 1 p.m., and Bunny Run is often freshly groomed by then. Fritz&rsquo;s Park nearby includes small terrain features for kids and beginners, and the base lodge offers easy access to hot cocoa and snacks.
For fewer crowds, ski Monte Wolfe via Chair 2 after lunch. This intermediate run is often overlooked but offers consistent pitch and great snow quality. Adjacent trails like Zachary and Shotgun are also worth exploring, especially when the upper mountain gets tracked out.
Expert skiers should save The Wall for later in the day. Runs like Notch Chute and The Drain face north and stay shaded, preserving snow quality. These lines are steep and technical, with cliff bands and narrow entries that reward confident skiing.
Apr&egrave;s-ski at The Kirkwood Inn is a local tradition. Located just off Highway 88, it serves hearty fare and local brews in a rustic setting. Try the elk burger and grab a seat near the fireplace&mdash;it&rsquo;s a great way to wind down after a big day.
For a quieter vibe, visit the General Store near the village. It stocks local snacks, trail maps, and essentials, and the porch offers a peaceful spot to watch the sunset over Red Cliffs. It&rsquo;s also a good place to pick up souvenirs without the bustle of the main lodge.
Photography enthusiasts should hike to the overlook above Thimble Peak. Accessible via a short bootpack from Chair 4, the ridge offers panoramic views of the Mokelumne Wilderness and is especially stunning during golden hour. Bring a wide lens and layer up&mdash;it gets windy.
If you&rsquo;re staying overnight, take advantage of the waxing station at The Meadows. It&rsquo;s open late and includes tools for tuning skis and boards. A quick pass with the iron can make a big difference on Kirkwood&rsquo;s variable snowpack, especially in the chutes.
Finally, don&rsquo;t miss the Moonlight Snowshoe Tour offered on select weekends. It departs from Timber Creek and loops through the forest under starlit skies. The tour includes hot cider and a guide who shares stories about Kirkwood&rsquo;s history and terrain. It&rsquo;s a memorable way to experience the mountain beyond the lifts.

Kirkwood Ski Resort

CALIFORNIA / KIRKWOOD

Best known for

Related News

Try SkiGPT

Where to Stay

Plan Your Trip

Transportation

Important Dates

Projected opening date

Projected closing date

Projected Days Open

Days Open Last Year

Years Open

Average Snowfall

Terrain

Lifts

13

Inside Scoop

Reviews

Nearby: