Kirkwood Skiing

Terrain

The Kirkwood terrain is famous for its expert and advanced areas that encompass a two-mile horseshoe-shaped ridgeline. The Cirque offers steep double blacks, cliffs, chutes, glades and cornices with colossal amounts of natural snowfall.

Rugged and intimate due to its location, skiers and riders will enjoy an average annual snowfall of over 350 inches spread across 2,300 skiable acres with 86 trails. Considered an advanced mountain, Kirkwood’s terrain is rated 12% beginner, 30% intermediate, 38% advanced and 20% expert. The longest trail is 2.5 miles, and trails are served by 15 lifts.

Base elevation is 7,800 feet, and the summit is 9,800 feet with 2,000 feet of vertical drop. The resort is composed of three peaks: Covered Wagon, which provides access to the backcountry and is accessible via Chair 4; Thimble Peak, which is Kirkwood’s tallest peak and provides steep pitches and expert terrain; and The Sisters, which has a stretch of chutes and cliff drops.

Snowmaking is available on a limited number of acres.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort offers Expedition: Kirkwood, which is for the avid adventurer looking to explore Kirkwood on a more intimate level. The unique terrain at Kirkwood offers lift access to backcountry opportunities within the resort boundaries and provides the perfect backdrop for specialty clinics, private guides and backcountry awareness offerings. Expedition: Kirkwood offerings include avalanche certification courses, women’s programs, private guides and specialty ski clinics.

Be sure to get to the mountain early since parking is first come, first served, and it packs up early.

Kirkwood is also a hiking and mountain biking destination during the summer. You can rent a bike on the mountain.

Breakfast Places

• If you’re looking for something fast like breakfast burritos, Monte Wolfe’s Mountain Kitchen is a cafeteria-style kitchen. 1501 Kirkwood Meadows Dr, Kirkwood, CA 95646

Our Favorite Lunch Spots

• 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

Dinner

• Cornice Pizza is located right on the mountain, but it’s only open during the season. 1390 Kirkwood Meadows Dr, Kirkwood, CA 95646

Apres/Nightlife

• Also located right on the mountain, 7800 Bar & Grill is the place to stop for some great sandwiches and burgers as well some tasty beverages. 1511 Kirkwood Meadows Dr, Kirkwood, CA 95646