Recreation
Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort |
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Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort Details
- Hours of operation: Open daily, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The resort is open from Thanksgiving until early April, conditions permitting.
- Cost: All-day (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) adult tickets are $50 on weekdays and $60 on weekends; half day (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) adult tickets are $40 on weekdays and $50 on weekends; All-day tickets for seniors and teens (13-18) are $35 on weekdays and $45 on weekends; half-day tickets are $30 on weekdays and $40 on weekends. All day tickets for children (6-12) are $30 on weekdays and $40 on weekends; half day tickets are $25 on weekdays and $35 on weekends. Children 0- 5 are free. Prices are subject to change.
- Payment options: Cash, credit cards, ATM available.
- Location / Distance from Las Vegas: About 45 minutes from Las Vegas. Take U.S. Highway 95 north about 30 miles to Hwy 156. Follow Highway 156 to the resort.
- Travel options: Private vehicle.
- On the way: It's a stunning drive up from the desert valley floor to the Alpine forested mountainside. The base facility is located at an elevation of 8510' above sea level.
- Amenities: 70 acres of terrain (20 percent beginner, 60 percent intermediate, and 20 percent advanced) including 11 trails, DarkSide Terrain Park, half pipe and terrain park for snowboarding, 1 triple lift, 2 double lifts and 1 surface lift, instruction, kids programs, snowmaking equipment, snack bar and bar.
- What you'll need: Proper clothing and equipment. Clothing and equipment is also available for rental.
Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort Review
When you're in Southern Nevada, the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort is the place to go for snow.
The resort, located at Mount Charleston's Lee Canyon area, is less than an hour's drive from Las Vegas. Since there's not much of a winter to speak of in Vegas, skiing is one way to make it feel more like the season.
Don't be fooled by the warm temperatures in the valley, though -- temperatures in the mountains can be vastly different. Expect highs in the 30s and 40s during the winter, and don't forget to wear plenty of warm clothes.
The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort offers 40 acres of ski terrain, with 10 different trails, the longest of which is 3,000 feet. The summit is located at 9,370 feet with a vertical drop of 860 feet.
There are 30 acres of snowboarding terrain at the resort. During the 1999-2000 season, a half pipe and terrain park was added, making it a paradise for snowboarders -- and plenty of snowboarders take advantage of what the resort has to offer. Often times skiers appear to be in the minority on the slopes.
Although there are plenty of private and group lessons available for beginners, most of the resort's terrain, about 60 percent, consists of intermediate runs, some of which are challenging even for intermediate skiers. An additional 20 percent of the terrain is advanced, which doesn't leave much room for first-timers.
The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort tends to be more crowded than other ski areas in the vicinity, such as Brian Head, because of its proximity to Las Vegas.
Crowds or not, the resort offers beautiful mountain scenery and is a nice getaway from the desert for a day of winter fun. For the post-ski scene, there's a bar, snack bar and outdoor deck dining, which is unbeatable on warm spring days.
If you're just in Vegas on vacation and decide to go skiing on a whim, the resort has everything you could possibly need, including equipment and ski clothing rentals.
-- Review by Kristine McKenzie
