About Kirkwood
Kirkwood Mountain Resort is a ski resort in California. It offers 2,005 feet of vertical drop, 2,300 skiable acres, 86 marked runs, served by 13 lifts, with an average of about 354" of snow a year. Kirkwood opened in 1972 with Chairs 1 through 4. Kirkwood sits about 33 miles from South Lake Tahoe on Highway 88. Timber Creek is the dedicated beginner learning area.
Why Visit Kirkwood?
- 86 runs with 2,005ft of vertical drop
- Average annual snowfall of 354"
- 2,300 skiable acres with terrain for all ability levels
- 13 lifts including chairlift, surface
Where to Stay
Live prices for hotels, condos and homes near Kirkwood, plus places we’ve researched.
Live prices & availability
Live prices and availability from Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo — hotels, condos and private homes. You book on their site. These are affiliate links: Everything Ski may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Mountain Statistics
9,806ft
Summit Elevation
2,989m
7,799ft
Base Elevation
2,377m
2,005ft
Vertical Drop
611m
2,300 acres
Skiable Area
930.78 ha
86
Total Runs
2.5mi
Longest Run
4km
13
Lifts
354"
Avg. Snowfall
899cm annually
How Kirkwood compares
Terrain Breakdown
12%
30%
58%
●Beginner
12% of trails
■Intermediate
30% of trails
◆Advanced / Expert
58% of trails
Trail Map
Open the current Kirkwood trail map:
Season & Operating Hours
Last season (2025–26)
Opening DayDecember 6, 2025
Closing DayApril 19, 2026
Status Closed for the season
This season’s dates are set by the resort — check its official site for opening day.
Getting to Kirkwood
By Car
Kirkwood is in California, USA. Tap the button below for turn-by-turn directions from where you are.
Get DirectionsGPS Coordinates
Latitude38.6850
Longitude-120.0653
RegionCalifornia, USA
Lift Tickets
The rest of your Kirkwood trip — for lodging, see Where to Stay above.
Nearby Resorts
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening and closing dates are set by the resort each season, so check its official site for this year's dates. Kirkwood averages 354" of snowfall a year.
Kirkwood rates 12% of its terrain as beginner, across 86 marked runs. Check the resort's site for its ski school and learning areas.
Kirkwood averages 354" of snowfall a season, with a summit elevation of 9,806 ft.
Kirkwood is located in California, USA. Use the "Get Directions" button at the top of this page for turn-by-turn directions from where you are. GPS coordinates: 38.685, -120.0653.
The Where to Stay section near the top of this page shows live prices for hotels, condos and vacation rentals around Kirkwood, plus any places we've researched.
Articles About Kirkwood
Planning
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Planning
Best Ski Resorts for Families in 2026: Where Kids and Parents Both Win
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Gear Reviews
Ski Resort Season Pass Guide 2026: Epic vs Ikon and Beyond
A comprehensive breakdown of the Epic Pass, Ikon Pass, and top regional alternatives for the 2025-2026 ski season. Find out which pass saves you the most money based on where and how often you ski.
14 min