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Spooner Lake Cross Country Ski Area
Spooner Lake is located on 9,000 acres in the spectacular Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park in the Carson Range along the east side of Lake Tahoe. At Spooner Lake skiers and snowshoers will discover the most picturesque and fun-to-ski trails in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
Spooner Lake has a 90-kilometer trail system comprised of 20 interconnected trails that are beautifully groomed and maintained every evening for classic skiing and skating techniques by people who love to ski. The highest elevation is 9,100 feet and the base elevation is 7,000 feet, making for a vertical drop of 2,100 feet. The average annual snowfall is 250 inches.
Spooner Lake offers trails for every level of skier. There are 4 beginner trails, 8 intermediate trails and 8 advanced trails. Novices love the flat trail around frozen Spooner Lake. More adventurous day trekkers are rewarded with breathtaking views of Tahoe along the long, hilly single-loop groomed trails deep in the Spooner back country.
This dedicated cross-country ski area is quiet and removed from the chaos of downhill ski areas and the constructs of civilization. Spooner Lake offers nothing but pure wilderness to satisfy your appetite for adventure.
At Spooner Lake, trail passes for children six and under and seniors 70+ are free!
Main Mountain Trail Map
| Skiing | |
|---|---|
| Lifts |
0 |
| Acres |
9000 |
| Vertical drop |
2100 |
| Summit el. |
9100 |
| Base el. |
7000 |
| Longest trail |
35 km |
| Avg snowfall |
250" |
| Machine-made snowfall |
No |
| Terrain | |
| % Beginner |
20 |
| % Intermediate |
40 |
| % Adv/expert |
40 |
| Cross-Country | |
| Trails | 20 |
| Km of trails | 90 |
| Km groomed |
80 |
| Skating lanes |
Yes |
| Side tracks |
Yes |
Activities
For more information about activities at Alpine Meadows, see our directory or visit Spooner Lake Cross Country Skiing .
Ski Instruction and Equipment Rentals
Lessons are the single best investment you can make to enjoy your skiing vacation. The Spooner Lake instructors will guide you through a series of skills that will give you a feel for how efficient skiing can be and give you confidence on rolling terrain. A variety of group and private lesson packages are offered for adults and children. For your convenience, the rental shop has the finest ski rental equipment available to maximize your skiing enjoyment. Snowshoes and Kinder Sleds may be rented, too!
Mountain Lodge and Cafe
Spooner Lake's Day Lodge sits at 7,000 feet. The cafe offers deli-style food and beverages that you can enjoy as you relax and warm yourself by the fireplace in the lodge.
Secluded Overnight Log Cabin Lodging
The Wild Cat and Spooner Lake cabins are two beautiful Scandinavian style hand-hewn log cabins that are located well out of sight from the main trails and offer a perfect, really private winter destination. The cabins are accessed by skis or snowshoes only. They are fully equipped with water, cooking utensils, a cooking stove and a wood heating stove. Queen and full-size futons are outfitted with enough linens, quilts and pillows to keep you warm and cozy. There are even wine glasses, so be sure and tuck a special bottle in your backpack as a surprise. These cabins sleep up to four and are stocked with coffee, tea and hearty snacks. Both cabins come with incredible sunsets and sunrises.
After the snow season, come back and enjoy a Spooner Lake summer! Although the ski resort is closed during the summer, the cabins can be rented.
The Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park is open to picnickers, hikers and wildflower gatherers. This park is very popular with mountain bikers who climb the same trails that the resort grooms for skiers in the winter to reach the famous Flume Trail.
Logistics
Hours
Spooner Lake is open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing every day between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Ticket Sales
Trail passes go on sale at 9:00 a.m. Half-day trail passes go on sale daily at 1:00 p.m.
Pricing
Spooner Lake provides a wide variety of trail pass programs and options to fit your vacation plans. There is sure to be a trail pass option just right for you.
Information
(775) 749-5349
24-hour Snow Phone
(775) 887-8844
Equipment Rental
Ski and snowshoe equipment rentals on-site. Kinder Sleds, too!
Physical Address
Directions
By Plane
Frequent commercial service by most major and regional carriers to Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
All-Weather Highway Access
From Reno to South Lake Tahoe:
SR 395 south to U.S. HWY 50 west
58 miles, 1.25 hours
From South Lake Tahoe:
U.S. HWY 50 northwest, SR 28 north for .5 miles
15 miles, .25 hours
From San Francisco:
I-80 east to Truckee, SR 267 southeast to Kings Beach, SR 28 east to Incline Village, continue on SR 28, now going south along the lake for 12 miles to Spooner Lake.
215 miles, 3.5 hours
From Sacramento:
I-80 east to Truckee, SR 267 southeast to Kings Beach, SR 28 east to Incline Village, continue on SR 28, now going south along the lake for 12 miles to Spooner Lake.
135 miles, 2.5 hours
