Kirkwood riding guide - World Snowboard Guide

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Freeriding

Freeriders in particular will get stoked with the natural terrain Kirkwood has to offer. Areas like The Wall and The Sisters reachable from Chair 10, accessing some very serious drops and chutes, in addition to an abundance of other black and double black diamond runs, will make those hardcore freeriders feel like 'a kid in a candy store'. If it's big open bowls you enjoy the most, head out towards The Wave and Larry's Lip accessible from Chair 4. And if that's not enough to get your whistle wet Kirkwood now offer back country Powder Cat Riding tours at very reasonable prices. Do be careful not to venture into these areas if you're not up to the mark as they are strictly for experienced riders only.

Freestylers

Freestylers will be more than happy with Kirkwoods Stomping Grounds terrain park. Accessible from Chairs 5 and 6, here you will find a range of advanced features with different jump and jib lines continuing on to the Sierra Mist Super Pipe. There is also a good beginners terrain park found off of Chair 7, called the Terrain Garden. Those freestylers that like to explore will discover plenty of natural hits and drops all over the place.

Pistes

Piste riders are presented with some first class carving terrain that is a match for anywhere else in the Tahoe region. If you like long, steep groomers, runs like Zachary and Olympic from Chair 6 will keep the heart pumping. For something a little less daunting check out some of the blue runs off of Chair 2.

Beginners

Beginners need to get their act together fast if they want to appreciate Kirkwood's offerings to the full. Although Kirkwood only has a small percentage of easy trails, there are some good 'learn-to-turn' areas to be found over on Chair 9, like Graduation which has its own easy-to-use lift. If you're feeling up for a bit more of a challenge head up Chair 7 for some easy blue runs. When you make it back down to the Timber Creek Lodge have a killer hot-dog at the cafe whilst enjoying the view.

Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Dec to April
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 14
Chair lifts: 10
Drag lifts: 4
Max people per hour: 17,905
Board Leashes required: Yes

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 65
Total ride area: 2300 acres
Longest run: 2.5miles (4km)

Top lift: 2987m
Vertical drop: 609m
First lift: 2377m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 15%
Red runs: 50%
Black runs: 35%

Lift Passes

	Low Season			High Season
	USD	GBP	Average	USD	GBP	Average
Day Pass	79.00	52.17	50%	79.00	52.17	37%

	USD	GBP	Average
Season Pass:	-	-

Lift Passes:
$72.00 All Day
$59.00 Half Day
$469.00 Unrestricted Season Pass
Lift times:9am to 4pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 12m
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 10%

Facilities

	USD	GBP
Days Rental of Board & Boots:	50.00	33.02
4hr Group Lesson (full day):	45.00	29.72
4hr Private Lesson (full day):	105.00	69.34

Snowboard Schools: Beginners day package (pass, lesson, hire) $85
2hr group lesson $45. Private lesson $105 per hour. Pipe & park lesson $35
Snowboard Hire: high performance board and boots $50, regular rental $40
Night Riding: : No

Other activities

Heliboarding: : 2.5hr CAT tours available to Martin Point and Red Cliffs for $150 and $200 respectively per person. Price includes beeper. Tel: 209.258.7360
Snowmobiles: Not available