ActivitiesCross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing at Lake Tahoe

Groomed Nordic centers ring the lake, from Tahoe XC above Tahoe City to Royal Gorge on Donner Summit, the largest cross-country ski resort in North America.

Open the cross-country ski mapTop 3 picksSee all 11 places

Conditions today

Right now
72°F, Sunny
Today
High 72°, low 48°
Wind
8 mph
Snow base
No snow reported
Resorts open
0
  • TomorrowPartly Cloudy, 10% chance of rain68° 45°
  • ThuMostly Clear, 5% chance of rain74° 50°
  • FriPM Storms, 75% chance of rain61° 44°

Best months

  1. Jan: best
  2. Feb: best
  3. Mar: best
  4. Apr: possible
  5. May: out of season
  6. Jun: out of season
  7. Jul: out of season
  8. Aug: out of season
  9. Sep: out of season
  10. Oct: out of season (this month)
  11. Nov: possible
  12. Dec: best

December to March at most centers, into April at the higher ones in a good snow year.

Know before you go

Trail passes
The groomed centers sell day passes and rent skate and classic skis. Spooner Lake is groomed free by Nevada Nordic; you pay only the state park entry.
Sno-Parks
Taylor Creek, Blackwood Canyon, Echo Lake and Hope Valley need a California Sno-Park permit to park: $15 a day or $40 a season, bought before you arrive.
Etiquette
Keep off the set classic tracks when walking or snowshoeing, and give way to faster skiers on groomed lanes.
Avalanches
Trails beyond the groomed centers can cross avalanche terrain. Read the Sierra Avalanche Center forecast that morning.

Best known for

Shore by shore

North Shore

Tahoe XC above Tahoe City grooms 65 km daily; Tahoe Donner and Royal Gorge, near Truckee, are bigger still.

East Shore

Spooner Lake is groomed by Nevada Nordic and free apart from the park entry, with trails up North Canyon to Marlette Lake.

South Shore

Camp Richardson and Taylor Creek Sno-Park are minutes from town; Hope Valley, off Highway 88, has wide open meadows.

West Shore

Blackwood Canyon Sno-Park is the West Shore's ski-from-the-car option: an unplowed canyon road with a gentle climb.

11 places for cross-country skiing

Open the cross-country ski map

All 11 cross-country skiing places, A to Z

Gear and rentals nearby

Open the amenities map
  • REI — South Lake TahoeOutfitter, South Lake Tahoe, CAFull outfitter, Rentals, Expert staff
  • Tahoe Outdoor CenterOutfitter, Tahoe City, CAGear, advice & guided adventures
  • Alpenglow SportsOutfitter, Truckee, CABackcountry & ski, Climbing gear, Truckee hub
  • Dave's Ski & BoardOutfitter, South Lake Tahoe, CASki & snowboard rentals & tuning
  • Tahoe Paddle & OarRentals, Kings Beach, CAKayak, SUP, pontoon & pedal boat
  • Emerald Bay Water SportsRentals, South Lake Tahoe, CAGuided kayak tours, Emerald Bay access
  • Zephyr Cove Boat RentalsRentals, Zephyr Cove, NVPowerboats, pontoons, jet ski, parasailing
  • Tahoe City KayakRentals, Tahoe City, CAKayak & SUP rentals, Lake access
  • Sand Harbor Clear Kayak ToursRentals, Sand Harbor, NVClear kayak tours, Stunning east shore water
  • Camp Richardson WatersportsRentals, South Lake Tahoe, CAKayak, SUP, paddleboats, South shore

These open on other websites.

Other activities

CampingHikingMountain BikingKayakingPaddleboardingSwimmingBoatingFishingBackpackingRock ClimbingWildlife WatchingSkiing & RidingSnowshoeingTubing & SleddingIce SkatingSnowmobiling & Sleigh Rides