Where to go in Tahoe ?? - Page 4 - Snowboarding Forum

surfinsnow · 01-09-2013, 11:00 AM

[QUOTE=Triple8Sol;563666]Sounds just like Baker. Overhyped.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hktrdr

What do mean by 'respective ends' for Squaw and Northstar? They are pretty much in the same corner of the lake... The drive between them is a little inconvenient but still only 20-30 minutes IIRC?/QUOTE]
You're right they're both pretty near each other in North Lake. I was reading someone's post about Heavenly when I posted.

Psst...he was joking.

neednsnow · 01-09-2013, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfinsnow

Kirkwood is never "crowded." It is so big, and so far off the lake, that only the serious skiers/riders tend to go there. You don't get hung up with noob families, because it is a pretty intimidating looking mountain. The main areas look pretty scary to first-timers.

I have a Kirkwood t-shirt they sent me when I was designing their e-mail blasts a few years ago, which says "If you find the trail you're on too crowded, pick another one until he's gone." That about sums it up.

Kirkwood can get crowded, especially on Powder Weekends. That being said, there are a ton of stash areas all over the mountain. I've had some long ling waits, but nothing like Colorado. Maybe 15-20 minutes. Ohh, and the drive.....yeah, pretty spectacular! If you catch it when the valley and mtns are snow-glazed, it is pretty awesome.

Points to see......notice:

As you go up HWY 88, just past Red lake, the road is windy and can be sketch. This is very enjoyable and after you go over the crest, you'll see a pull-out at Kit Carson Pass....about 2 miles past things will open-up and Caples Lake will start to appear to your forward left. If you look across caples lake, you'll see most of Kirkwood...The Wave, The top of 10, 6 etc. It is a pretty cool view. If you miss it on the way there, check it out, on the way back....just know you'll have to go most of the way around Caples. Also, leaving Kwoo, as you go back up over Kit Carson Pass, the view from the top as you go over back on that sketch HWY is pretty damn spectacular! Especially if you've stopped at the Kirkwood Inn, first! =) Just make sure to see it in light.

surfinsnow · 01-09-2013, 06:35 PM

@Neednsnow...I guess it's all relative. I've been to Kirkwood on President's Day holiday, and it still didn't seem crowded compared to what we put with back East.

About the drive, though, you're right. If you've never been to Tahoe or driven through a mountain pass like this, it is as much a part of your vacation as the actual destination. On our last trip to Kirkwood, we had just ridden out a three day storm which dumped 3 feet at Tahoe City, and even more down south. As we drove through Carson Pass some asshole thought I was driving too slow...he tried to pass me. The last I saw of him in my rearview mirror was his 4x4 spinning off into the guardrail. Be careful out there!

neednsnow · 01-09-2013, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfinsnow

@Neednsnow...I guess it's all relative. I've been to Kirkwood on President's Day holiday, and it still didn't seem crowded compared to what we put with back East.

As we drove through Carson Pass some asshole thought I was driving too slow...he tried to pass me. The last I saw of him in my rearview mirror was his 4x4 spinning off into the guardrail. Be careful out there!

President's day, two years ago? If so, I was there. It surprisingly wasn't very crowded that weekend. That being said, I live back east. I've seen crazy crowds and not so much crowds, everywhere. Most places, you can learn how to manage and get away from the crowds. Generally, go where the crowd isn't. -)

Ohh, was the person at the guardrail just over the pass? The "ohhh sH*T guardrail that is a for-sure life saver?" I saw someone hit that puppy. I nearly sh*t myself for them! haha

binarypie · 01-09-2013, 08:16 PM

Kirkwood is a ghost town compared to a lot of resorts.

...

I love kirkwood!!!

surfinsnow · 01-09-2013, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neednsnow

President's day, two years ago? If so, I was there. It surprisingly wasn't very crowded that weekend. That being said, I live back east. I've seen crazy crowds and not so much crowds, everywhere. Most places, you can learn how to manage and get away from the crowds. Generally, go where the crowd isn't. -)

Ohh, was the person at the guardrail just over the pass? The "ohhh sH*T guardrail that is a for-sure life saver?" I saw someone hit that puppy. I nearly sh*t myself for them! haha

We might be talking about the same spot...huge cliff drop to the left, avalanche shit in front/right, as you're going uphill around a big curve. Dude just spun out and bounced off the guardrail. And he was in a Jeep! We just had a shitty rental Chevy 4x4, but it served us well.

neednsnow · 01-09-2013, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfinsnow

Dude just spun out and bounced off the guardrail. And he was in a Jeep! We just had a shitty rental Chevy 4x4, but it served us well.

The direction you're talking about is going to Kwoo, yup thats it. It slides a lot up there above Red Lake. Leaving the resort, with the big drop on the right...I've seen cars hit that rail twice. Rental 4x4s will do fine as long as driving is in-control. Ahh, Kwoo....can't wait to go back!

binarypie · 01-09-2013, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfinsnow

We might be talking about the same spot...huge cliff drop to the left, avalanche shit in front/right, as you're going uphill around a big curve. Dude just spun out and bounced off the guardrail. And he was in a Jeep! We just had a shitty rental Chevy 4x4, but it served us well.

I drive extra cautious because my Jeep if it was out of control would probably climb over those little guard rails.

Lucky for me snow driving doesn't bother me.

In 2010 there were a couple nights where I was driving up on my own and 88 had 6" of snow covering the road. It was like getting fresh tracks in my Jeep.

surfinsnow · 01-09-2013, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neednsnow

The direction you're talking about is going to Kwoo, yup thats it. It slides a lot up there above Red Lake. Leaving the resort, with the big drop on the right...I've seen cars hit that rail twice. Rental 4x4s will do fine as long as driving is in-control. Ahh, Kwoo....can't wait to go back!

I'm always designated driver when we go to Tahoe. Not because of alcohol, just because everyone else is too afraid. I consider the driving there to be almost as fun as the snowboarding.

Triple8Sol · 01-09-2013, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfinsnow

Psst...he was joking.

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01-09-2013, 06:35 PM	#33 (permalink)
surfinsnow Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: New England Posts: 382	@Neednsnow...I guess it's all relative. I've been to Kirkwood on President's Day holiday, and it still didn't seem crowded compared to what we put with back East. About the drive, though, you're right. If you've never been to Tahoe or driven through a mountain pass like this, it is as much a part of your vacation as the actual destination. On our last trip to Kirkwood, we had just ridden out a three day storm which dumped 3 feet at Tahoe City, and even more down south. As we drove through Carson Pass some asshole thought I was driving too slow...he tried to pass me. The last I saw of him in my rearview mirror was his 4x4 spinning off into the guardrail. Be careful out there!