 Poster: A snowHead
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Would be grateful for any advice/feedback on: resort/accommodation/ ski & boot hire/ ski pass or packages for group of 4 intermediate+ skiers in late Feb 2016. Flights to San Fran already booked; planning car hire from airport and looking for ideally 3 bedroom accommodation either short walk or easy bus ride to slopes. Thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@deecee2015, My suggestion would be to repost in the resorts section this section does not get many views. I cannot help, never been.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks. Will do.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Hi @deecee2015
The easiest place to stay is "Harries Casino" its in Nevada ... just across the road from the lifts.
Good idea to take a rental car, then you can do the other resorts around the lake, make sure you go to Truckee.
Last time I went was .. er 10 years ago and I was lucky enoug to get in touch with an old ski buddy .. I thought he was living and working down in Silicon Valley, but it turned out he had a Condo in Truckee for the whole season.
So we got taken around the best spot in the area.
There is a lot more to do and much more interesting than Heavenly.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Spoke to a v. knowledgeable friend who is "down a crevasse" about skiing both within California and the state in toto who used to live in SFO, later Tahoe (Alpine Meadows for some time) - whom I see everyday. He passed on a few remarks.............
Assuming you are arriving from England on BA, don't play games with trying to get up to Tahoe that p.m. because, for starters, you'll be right in the thick and I mean thick of rush hour and the Bay Bridge is the only way out of town. On a clear, trafficless day or night, from the Bay Bridge Tahoe, be it Tahoe City via Hwy 80 or South Lake via 80 and the 50 split is no less than three plus hours. Add conditions alone and it takes longer. So, be smart and at least stay the night. Book a room or two in a MOTEL in SFO. No best place but he recommened the Marina Motel on Lombard at itswest end or a few other places outside of downtown such as the Seal Rock Inn next to the ocean way out to the west just off Geary. Both are good, inexpensive places in safe neighborhood. The Marina Inn is right within the Marina District which is endless with restaurants, shops, etc. (as is Union Street ten minute walk away) and allow you to leave your hired car right in the private garage that comes with their rooms.
One caveat........... The weather. Stay 100% abreast of same before you leave. If California gets a decent winter (as many forecasters claim via El Nino) you might arrive in clear skies and clear sailing through and through, or just the opposite and if it's the latter, you quite possibly have never seen snow accumulation the likes of which you might experience such as a typical heavy storm leaving 3 - 7 feet in 24 hours, that's routine in a big year. CALTRANS (dept of transportation for the state) in the face of a big storm close down ALL roads and plow AFTERWARD, hardly ever during save for the smaller routes. So, stay abreast of the weather a few days before and upon the day you fly. Also, be prepared when you are driving into the mountains and a storm is on and still passable for driving, be prepared if required to have to put chains on the tires at a chain control stop point which is controlled no ands, ifs or buts by the state with either sheriff and/or highway patrol overseeing. Private licensed chain guys are there and wil, for a fee, do everything. It may NOT happen, but just be prepared mentally for same. Four wheel drive is not as important to the authorities as are tires and the best you'll get from any car rental (hire) agency are "all-season". Just sayin'............
"Tahoe" is surrounded by no less than six plus stations/resorts. Everyone has their favorite(s). It's all a matter of what you like, your preferred needs, convenience, etc. My prejudice is with Alpine Meadows, Squaw, Homewood, to a lesser extent Northstar and Heavenly. No single facility is best.
If one is down south at Heavenly, it's all self contained in South Lake Tahoe in terms of immediate nearby hotels/motels, restaurants (typically in the hotels which are chiefly in Nevada for the most part and a great $$$ deal) and Heavenly is a great place to ski with great lake views. There are shuttles and/or fairly easy walking if that is a must.
Up north, epicentered out of Tahoe City you have Squaw, Alpine and Homewood nearby. Each is unique and fantastic. Homewood by the way is 1/3rd the size but a jewel nonetheless. Accomodation can be specifically at Squaw which is self-contained, or near/on the lake in and around Tahoe City a ten minute drive away which has some shops and restaurants. In addition to a few motels immediately in and around Tahoe City you also have a few toward Homewood which might be of interest as same are more "down home", "woodsy". Look into that. It's a beautiful region but would fully require driving anywhere you go.
Northstar, fifteen minutes to the east from Tahoe City is near stateline (Nevada) and in addition to their family oriented self-contained accomodations and everything else within their village, you are essentially in Kings Beach and ad hoc lodging there can sometimes come with light cooking capability which might be a consideration for you. Several lodges/motels are physically on the lake, think about that. The SAFEWAY grocery store is right there in Kings Beach and three minutes away is stateline.
You might want to mix and match as to not relegate yourself to one facility/resort only which obviously would really shortchange you. I have no idea about passes but they exist and sometimes better for foreigners. Actually, upon arrival in SFO if you wear a serape and sombrero and claim you are one of the "indigenous oppressed peoples returning to your native land" and declare Obama as Savior - preferably in a full kneeling position with hands outstretched, they'll give you 1M$ (USD) and limo you anywhere you want..............
Another heads up.......... When in SFO, assuming you'll stay overnight and therefore perhaps drive around a bit after you check in and see a few sights and go to one of any number of nice places to eat......... (if you park your car anywhere on the street DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING INSIDE, not even a used Kleenex. Breaks-ins are big time in the Baghdad-By-The-Bay. And if you park anywhere on the street make one million percent certain that your car is perfectly parked and legally so within boundry which includes front tires pointed INTO and upon the curb if upon/facing ANY downhill gradient and pointed OUT to the street if the car is upon ANY uphill gradient. Violate this and the SFO liberal Gestapo will BOTH ticket and tow, but I digress. You can count on that.......... Hundreds of inexperienced or daft motorists experience that liberal bon bon everyday. When you leave town the next a.m., wait until about 10:00 a.m., this allows the morning inbound rush hour traffic to settle down and get out of your way. Watch your speed on the highways as the CHP are v. good at getting speeders and are everywhere.
I know this is not what most of you want to read but it's not all schussing down a slope when it comes to NorCal with SFO as gateway. Tahoe is beyond words in a great year, for that matter the US west coast, with speacial shout out to Mammoth and Mt. Bachelor which are off the Richter Scale. Historically the big storms come in February and March. So DEECEE, be prepared. If you want more info add "@hotmail.com" to my name and I'll communicate with you directly.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Tue 17-11-15 1:04; edited 2 times in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hi @arcsinice and welcome to the forum!
And thanks for the in depth view of San Francisco.
When I skied in Tahoe .. my son and I stayed over night in a $28 back packers place on Union Street.
As I was looking for the place I did get pulled over by a "black & white" .. I'd made some stupid limey driving mistake... but he let me off, with a warning.
I must admit it turned out to be one of the most memorable nights out of my life.
I wanted to eat and could find nothing in that street that I fancied going to, but on the way back up (passing all the "pan handlers") I decided to go in the Oirish Bar (I thought this is crazy to fly several thousand miles to go in an Irish Bar)
But it had an amazing buffet ...
Then a piano player arrived and although there were not many customers .. we all lit up and had a great sing song gathered around and leaning on the grand piano.
I just loved it. There were some great singers there and we gave the Bohemian Rhapsody a good airing.
Next morning set off for the mountains .. great trip!
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There is no village called Heavenly as such;Heavenly Village is a shopping centre in South Lake Tahoe. The accommodation, casinos, shops, bars, restaurants etc are all in South Lake Tahoe and Heavenly is the mountain resort. There's loads of choice from decidedly upmarket to some really grotty roadside motels. Shop around, read TripAdvisor and other review sites and take your pick. We're heading for the Station House in January; has a decent reputation and reviews.
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Great feedback thanks guys. Fingers crossed for the "right kind of snow" - and not too much and not too little! I have been surprised that the best value ski pass is a "season" ticket which works out cheaper than a 5-day pass, though it has to be purchased in the next few days to get the former at the right price. I suppose it encourages people to come back more during the season and use the resorts - but not much good for those of us from Europe with just one week to spare skiing!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@deecee2015, I've bought a season pass because, as you say, it works out as the cheapest option (mad!) One advantage is that it permits you to buy significantly discounted day lift tickets for nominated friends or family. The discounts vary throughout the season and are publicised on a website.
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