Attractions & Recreation
Alpine Meadows Ski Resort: A Guide to the Alpine Side of Palisades Tahoe
Alpine Meadows is the lower-key of the two base areas at Palisades Tahoe.
It sits in its own valley between Tahoe City and Truckee and connects to the
Olympic Valley base by gondola in winter. One lift ticket covers both sides,
so a day at Alpine can stand alone or be half of a two-mountain day. The
resort now signs this side simply as Alpine, although most visitors still
look for it by its full name.
If Alpine is on your list this winter, you can browse Olympic Valley vacation rentals with Tahoe Signature
Properties.
Alpine Meadows at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base area | Alpine Lodge, 2600 Alpine Meadows Road |
| Terrain | 2,400 acres at Alpine, part of 6,000 acres across both bases |
| Trails | More than 100 |
| Elevation | 6,835 feet at the base, 8,637 feet at the summit |
| Vertical drop | 1,802 feet |
| Terrain mix | 25% beginner, 40% intermediate, 35% advanced |
| Average snowfall | About 400 inches a year, per the resort |
| Gondola to Olympic Valley | 2.4 miles, about 16 minutes |
How Alpine Fits Into Palisades Tahoe
Alpine Meadows opened in 1961 and ran as a separate ski area for five
decades. It now operates as one resort with the Olympic Valley side under the
Palisades Tahoe name, and the two share lift tickets and season passes.
The Base to Base Gondola, which opened in December 2022, joins the two
valleys. It runs between the Alpine Lodge and The Village at Palisades Tahoe,
so you can start the day at either base and ski the other without driving.
The gondola operates in winter while both sides are open.
Stay nearby
Skiing and Riding at Alpine
The resort describes Alpine as the welcoming, low-key side of Palisades
Tahoe, with wide-open bowls and views of the lake. The terrain covers the
front of the mountain above the lodge and a back side served by the Sherwood
Express lift.
The trail mix leans intermediate, which suits mixed groups where not
everyone wants steep terrain. Skiers chasing the resort’s best-known steeps
will find them on the Olympic Valley side, a gondola ride away. For a wider
comparison, see our guide to ski resorts in North Lake Tahoe.
Parking and Getting There
The Alpine Lodge is on Alpine Meadows Road, off Highway 89 between Tahoe
City and Truckee. Parking is the detail to plan ahead.
For the 2026-27 season, Palisades Tahoe requires a parking reservation at
every lot, including Alpine, for arrivals before 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays,
Sundays and select holiday periods. Most reservations are free and are
released on Tuesdays for the following weekend, and a limited number can be
bought in advance for $30. Parking on non-holiday weekdays is free and first
come, first served. Reservations are made through the resort’s parking site,
where the current list of dates is posted.
The Alpine Lodge: Rentals, Tickets and Food
The Alpine Lodge is the hub of the base area. It houses the ticket windows
and the rental shop, and the Base to Base Gondola terminal is beside it.
Places to eat and drink include the Last Chair Bar in the lodge, The
Chalet at the base of the Scott lift and the Ice Bar at the bottom of the
Sherwood Express lift. Opening hours for each change through the season, so
check the resort’s operations page before you count on a particular spot.
When to Go
Palisades Tahoe usually opens around Thanksgiving, weather and snow
permitting. Alpine typically closes for the season earlier in spring than the
Olympic Valley side, and once Alpine closes, the gondola stops running until
the following winter.
Opening and closing dates move with the snow every year, so confirm them
with the resort before you book a late-season trip. Our guide to spring skiing in North Lake Tahoe covers what to expect in March
and April.
Alpine Meadows in Summer
Outside ski season, the valley is best known for the Five Lakes Trail,
which starts on Alpine Meadows Road and climbs into the Granite Chief
Wilderness. It is a moderately challenging out-and-back of roughly four and a
half miles, and most of the climbing comes in the first mile. Dogs are
allowed on leash, and camping is not permitted in the Five Lakes basin. You
can find more options in our list of the top hikes in North Lake Tahoe.
The foot of Alpine Meadows Road is also where the Truckee River rafting float from Tahoe City ends, at River Ranch Lodge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alpine Meadows
Is Alpine Meadows on the Ikon Pass?
Yes. Palisades Tahoe is an Ikon Pass resort, and the pass covers both the
Alpine and Olympic Valley sides. Access levels and blackout dates depend on
the pass type, so check the current Ikon terms before you buy.
Can you ski Alpine and Olympic Valley in one day?
Yes, when the Base to Base Gondola is running. It also has a mid-station
on KT-22, which the resort intends for expert skiers. Leave enough time for
the return ride before the lifts close.
Is there a village at Alpine Meadows?
No. The Alpine base has a day lodge and parking but no resort village. The
Village at Palisades Tahoe, with its shops, restaurants and lodging, is at
the Olympic Valley base.
Does Alpine Meadows have ski lessons for children?
Yes. The Alpine Kids ski school is on the lower level of the Alpine Lodge,
and adult group and private lessons meet at the same base. Minimum ages and lesson times are listed on the resort’s lessons page.
Stay Near Alpine Meadows
Olympic Valley is the closest base for a ski trip that takes in both sides
of the resort, since the gondola links it to Alpine in winter. Tahoe City is
about 6 miles from the Alpine Lodge and Truckee is about 12, and both keep
you within reach of the other North Lake Tahoe ski areas. Tahoe Signature
Properties manages vacation rentals in all three.
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