SKI Mag: Reno-Tahoe’s Hidden Gem Stands Out as a Premier Ski Destination
A hidden gem among Tahoe ski resorts, Mt. Rose offers expert terrain, stunning views, and a small-town feel without sacrificing vertical thrills
By Jamie Aranoff – Nov 13, 2024
Maybe you’ve heard of Mt. Rose, a quaint mom-n-pop ski resort nestled in the Tahoe ski area, but perhaps you haven’t. The resort stands out amongst its Tahoe counterparts because of its proximity to the city of Reno, its expert terrain, and the small-town feel—which comes without sacrificing any vert—the slopes of the region’s highest base area are at 8,260 feet.
I visited Mt. Rose at the end of February into early March during the annual SKI Test (you can check out the 2025 gear guide here). If you’re considering a resort a bit off the radar, look no further than Tahoe’s Mt. Rose, a multi-pass-free resort. Here is what you need to know to plan your trip.
The Mountain:
Frequently overshadowed by powerhouse resorts like Palisades, Kirkwood, and Heavenly, Mt. Rose isn’t always the first place that comes to mind when skiing in Tahoe. But with 1,200 acres of terrain and over 60 runs less than a 30-minute drive from the Reno airport, the resort certainly holds its own. Plus, without fancy amenities like heated bubble chairs or gondolas, Mt. Rose leaves the crowds to the big boys.
Mt. Rose offers two distinct sides (both with parking areas at the base) with varying terrain. The front side starts at the Main Lodge, which is also where you’ll find the rental shop. It offers a wide variety of trails, including beginner terrain, accessed by four lifts.
On the backside, there are fewer tree-lined runs but much more of an open feeling with many runs that converge into others, all funneling down to the Zephyr Express lift and Winters Creek Lodge. This is also where you’ll get the best access to Mt. Rose’s renowned terrain, The Chutes.
This expert-only terrain is what makes Mt. Rose the gentle giant it is. Open since 2004, these avalanche-controlled runs are in-bounds and ungroomed, providing a real challenge for advanced skiers. There are 16 named runs, accessed through nine gates, spread over 200 acres in a horseshoe-shaped bowl facing north. The slopes can be as steep as 55 degrees and offer over 1,000 feet of vertical drop. Get ready for an intense thigh burn!
El Cap is the longest and steepest chute, with a pitch of 50 degrees. Further down, under the Northwest Express Lift, you’ll find Chaos. Despite its name, Chaos is less steep and often has the best powder because it’s more hidden. Since the resort gets about 350 inches of snow each year, finding fresh powder can be crucial—especially with the frequent high-elevation winds that can move the snow around overnight.
More Mt. Rose: Mt. Rose Tip Sheet
If you’re not quite skiing terrain worthy of a double diamond, fear not. Mt. Rose has something for everyone, including some spectacular views of Washoe Lake, best photographed via a string of blue runs, namely Silver Dollar, Mine Train, or Sunrise Bowl. Don’t miss traversing skier’s right toward High Traverse at the top of the Zephyr Lift, where there is a dedicated viewpoint—aka photo op.
The Town:
Mt. Rose is situated just outside Reno, where gambling and dazzling lights might come to mind initially, but “The Biggest Little City in the World” is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Receiving, on average, over 300 days of sunshine a year, there is no shortage of hikes, bike trails, and water sports, all just waiting outside city limits. As you stroll downtown, you’ll notice plenty of free public art to enjoy, including 100 public murals. Reno and its surrounding region have been inhabited for centuries, and the First Nations people, the Washoe, have been living on the land for at least 9,000 years. Visitors to the area can learn more about the indigenous tribes and share something new back home at the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitors Center.
There are also plenty of fun and quirky activities you can do on an off-day, like visiting the National Automobile Museum and trying your hand at bocce ball at an indoor arena that puts a new spin on this old-school game.
Getting There:
Sitting just 25 minutes away from Reno and a quick ten-minute drive from Incline Village, getting to Mt. Rose is easy (unless, of course, it dumps eight feet the night before, in which case getting up those roads in a coach bus might not be the easiest… but that’s a story for another time). To get from Reno-Tahoe International Airport to Mt. Rose, take 580 south toward Carson City. Make a few hairpin turns as you climb above Washoe Lake, and you’ll be in the Lodgepole Cafe’s parking lot in less time than it probably took you to check your ski bag at the airport.
Weather aside, Mt. Rose is easy to get to. In fact, the resort offers a ski-the-day-you-fly deal where presenting your same-day boarding pass grants you a $69 ticket all day. The drive from the airport to the base is 28 minutes door to door. Mt. Rose also offers a few other deals throughout the week, like discounted tickets on Friday afternoons, ladies’ ski days on Thursdays, BOGO tickets on Tuesdays, and plenty more.
Where To Stay:
During SKI Test, we took up temporary residence at the J Resort in downtown Reno. Sure, we stood out a bit with our bulky gear and windburnt cheeks, but there’s nothing quite like Reno hospitality. Rooms start at $50 per night in winter, and ample parking is available. Yes, the biggest amenity of the J (and all of the nearby resorts) is an always-open casino, but we also enjoyed the on-premise coffee shop, Hanna’s Express, which made early mornings a breeze.
If you’re looking for a bit of luxury, hop the California border to The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe in Truckee. The property, also just under a 40-minute drive to Mt. Rose, has a mix of hotel rooms, suites, and condo-like residences that can be booked through vacation renter sites like VRBO. There’s also a spa, which is always welcome after a day on the slopes.
While there are no ski-in-ski-out accommodations for Mt. Rose, we found the closest accommodations to be those in Incline Village. If you’re looking to save a minute or two, staying at Incline Lodge will allow guests to get to Mt. Rose in 15 minutes, and rooms average about $300 per night in winter.
Where To Eat and Après:
Mt. Rose offers skiers five different places to grab a bite or a warm (or cold) drink. The Lodgepole Cafe and Winter’s Creek Lodge offer cafeteria-style breakfast and lunch, and be sure to stop at the latter on a clear day to drink in the high-altitude sunshine on their deck. You can also grab après ski beverage at the Sky Bar on the backside of the mountain or the Timbers Bar at the main lodge. There’s also live music at Timbers most weekends.
Staying in Reno opens up plenty of opportunities for dinner and drinks. Some of the favorites from the SKI team include Liberty Food and Wine Exchange, which houses a variety of high-quality ingredients shaping warm and cozy eats like the “old skool” gnocchi and wood-fired pizza (made from their 72-hour fermented dough). There’s also Pignic, a converted home from the early 1900s that now serves as a bar, pub, and restaurant. For your après enjoyment, they have an outdoor patio best enjoyed on a sunny afternoon with a “Reno as Fuck” IPA. For a little trip to the Wild West, hit up 40 Mile Saloon, which offers pool tables, live music, and a six-dollar beer and shot combo.
Sidequests:
We’d be remiss not to mention the other legendary Tahoe resorts, all within a short driving distance from Mt. Rose. Northstar is about a 45-minute drive, while Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly, and Homewood are just over an hour’s drive. Sierra-at-Tahoe and Kirkwood are the furthest (but still a very doable day trip) at around an hour and a half drive. And if you need a day off from skiing, there’s plenty to do in nearby towns like Nevada state capitol Carson City, or hop the border into Truckee and explore all the town has to offer, like the Railroad Museum.
Anything I’d Do Differently:
Given its location, Mt. Rose can get some pretty gnarly winds (the resort is affectionately known as Mt. Blows for a reason), crazy powder, and vertigo-inducing fog (we experienced all in a four-day window). While nothing can be done to control the weather, I recommend going in with a backup plan and plenty of patience in case foul weather gets in the way of driving to the mountain.
Worth a Return Visit?:
With no crowds, stunning views, and impressive vertical terrain, a return trip to Mt. Rose is a must. While you can’t predict when the snow will fall, the Tahoe area is known for excellent skiing in March.
