Featured Image: Courtesy of Sierra-at-Tahoe | Location: Sierra-at-Tahoe
Sierra-at-Tahoe, California has officially been added to the Ikon Pass roster for the 2024/25 winter season. This is the sixth resort in California on the Ikon Pass, as users can already ride at Big Bear Resort, Snow Valley, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain, and Palisades Tahoe. For the 24/25 season, Ikon Pass holders will have access to seven days at Sierra-at-Tahoe with no blackout dates, and Ikon Base Pass holders will have access to five days, with select blackout dates. The resort will also be available on the Ikon Session Pass.
This is a favorable addition for the Ikon family of mountains, as Sierra-at-Tahoe is a legendary West Coast resort for numerous reasons. Many destinations have developed a reputation throughout the years thanks factors like outstanding terrain, a passionate local atmosphere, lodging, family-friendly features, or other beneficial attributes. It’s rare to find a ski area with all of the above, but at Sierra-at-Tahoe, that is indeed the case.
Located in South Lake Tahoe, the mountain boasts a staggering average of 400+ inches of snow per year. Combine that with the playful freeride terrain found in Jack’s, Huckleberry and Avalanche Bowl and you have some of the best resort-accessed off-piste skiing in North America. These areas, while within resort boundaries, are not patrolled, so be sure to ski with a partner who knows the mountain well.
Sierra-at-Tahoe is also an iconic hill in the world of freestyle skiing, with legends like Maddie Bowman and the late, great Kyle Smaine honing their skills there. The resort offers six unique parks as well as South Lake Tahoe’s only halfpipe. Seriously, go look at the creativity of the Snowshoe Park if you don’t believe us.
It’s important to note that Sierra-at-Tahoe is not owned by Alterra, the parent company of the Ikon Pass. Alterra has not purchased the mountain, rather Sierra-at-Tahoe has partnered with Ikon Pass. The mountain has been operated by Booth Creek Resort Properties since 1996, but has been sold several times since, recently to Sculptor Capital Management.
Booth Creek continues to run the mountain and has by all accounts created a welcoming and authentic culture there. However, it’s interesting that Booth Creek’s parent company is none other than Vail Resorts, the largest competitor to Alterra and the Ikon Pass. Still, Sierra-at-Tahoe maintains that they are a “proudly independent resort.” It all depends how you define independent in the current era of corporatized ski resorts.
But despite the interesting trail of money and ownership, the important thing is that user experience continues to progress in the right direction. John Rice, General Manager of Sierra-at-Tahoe, seemed confident that this will be the case, stating, “Sierra-at-Tahoe is proud to partner with Ikon Pass. As the only South Lake Tahoe resort on the Ikon Pass, we’re excited to give skiers and riders a new opportunity to visit our slice of heaven. Sierra has long been known for its always-friendly vibe and terrain variety. From wide open bowls, fresh fall lines, and the big mountain feel Huckleberry Canyon offers, to award-winning terrain parks that inspire progression and have helped create Olympic champions.” If this freeskiing haven wasn’t on your bucket list before, it should be now.
