Sierra-at-Tahoe riding guide - World Snowboard Guide

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Freeriding

Freeriders who get their fix by shredding trees will love this resort. Sierra is covered with tight trees that will rip you apart if you drop down the wrong line. However, much of the area is rated as intermediate standard.

Freestylers

Freestylers will find this mountain a bit of a gem but instead of having one mail park, theres lots of smaller parks dotted over the mountain depending on the conditions. The main park is on Broadway, but don’t forget Upper Main, The Alley and Bashful, and theres a beginners park on Smokey. Hey and don’t forget Pipeline which is a long, well looked after superpipe. For those who like their hits to come naturally, you will find plenty of banks and big walls to ride, especially where snow banks up alongside the trees.

Pistes

Riders who look only for perfectly flat, bumpless slopes may not be too impressed. This is not a resort that can lay claim to having lots of great piste on which to lay some fast turns. In general the terrain is a little unforgiving. However, there is some quite good riding to be had on the West Bowl Slopes where carvers can show off in style and at speed.

Beginners

Beginners will find plenty of easy slopes, with the chance of riding from the summit down the green Sugar 'n' Spice trail. Other cool novice trails are off Rock Garden and Nob Hill lifts. Broadway, located at the base area, is good for the total beginner and it even has its own beginner chair so you won?t have to suffer the embarrassment of continually falling off a drag lift.

Resort Statistics

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

Lifts

Total Lifts: 10
Chair lifts: 9
Other lifts: 1 magic carpet 1 kids tow
Max people per hour: 14,920
Board Leashes required: Yes

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 46
Total ride area: 2,000 acres
Longest run: 2.5miles (4km)

Top lift: 2698m
Vertical drop: 674m
First lift: 2024m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 25%
Red runs: 50%
Black runs: 25%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes:
Half day $50
1 Day pass - $59
3 Day pass - $117
Season pass - $699 (unlimited Northstar & Sierra)
Lift times:8.30am to 4.00pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 10.6m
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 20%

Facilities

Snowboard Schools: Burton LTR centre - $74 for 2hr lesson package or $40 for just the 2hr lesson
private $90/285 hour/day
Backcountry tour 3 1/2hrs for $25
Snowboard Hire: board and boots $34 per day
Night Riding: : No