California

Crush it Local Style at Lake Tahoe’s Diamond Peak

Diamond Peak Resort for Kids
Get peeks of Lake Tahoe below while skiing and boarding at Incline Village’s Diamond Peak. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Lake Tahoe is a pristine winter paradise with a lake that never freezes ringed by evergreen forests. The Lake Tahoe Basin offers about a dozen ski resorts along with outdoor activities like ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and more. Along with outdoor activities, visitors will find restaurants and theaters along with casinos on the Nevada side. It’s been a top winter destination for decades for those who love powder skiing and winter sports. For a smaller ski resort, many of the locals love Diamond Peak Ski Resort for kids with its perks. After skiing Diamond Peak for over 20 years, I still enjoy this resort.

Diamond Peak Ski Resort at Lake Tahoe

Located in Incline Village along the north shore of Lake Tahoe, Diamond Peak Ski Resort is my go-to resort when its snowing. Most of the other resorts are at higher elevations and the drive up there can be treacherous (or the passes can be closed). With its convenient location in Incline, it’s an easy drive. And for those staying locally, it even offers a ski shuttle.

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2022 -2023 Diamond Peak Lift Tickets

ONLINE Lift Tickets at Diamond Peak Ski Resort
Ages Value (Weekdays Non Holiday) Weekend (Non-Holiday) Peak (Holidays & Breaks)
Adult–24 to 64  $130 $145 $155
Students–13 to 23, Senior–65 to 79 $110 $125 $140
Junior–7 to 12 $50 $60 $70
Child under 6, 80+ Always Free Free Free

 

Note: Multi Day Lift Tickets are available.

What I loved about Diamond Peak Ski Resort

  • Convenient for families staying in Incline Village. No traffic.
  • Manageable size of Diamond Peak and all runs end at the Base Lodge.
  • The sense of community at Diamond Peak can’t be beat. It’s a local hangout.

What I wanted at Diamond Ski Resort:

  • More green runs. It has 3 runs for kids just starting out.
  • More close-in parking. I had to take an open air shuttle down the mountain.

Diamond Peak By-the-Numbers

Base Elevation: 6,700 ft. Summit Elevation: 8,540 ft.
Vertical Drop: 1,840 ft. Skiable Acres: 655
Type of Terrain Percentage of Runs
Green 18%
Blue 46%
Black 36%
Total Named Runs: 30
Lifts: 1 high-speed quad, 2 quads. 3 doubles and 1 surface lift for ski school.
Diamond Peak Resort for Kids
My 10-year-old moves up to the easiest blue trail at Diamond Peak. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Diamond Peak Resort for Kids

.Diamond Peak Ski Resort is the go-to program for Lake Tahoe kids. It offers several lesson times during the day.

Diamond Peak Ski School has an efficient drop-off procedure and after checking in at their desk, the staff handles the rest. It’s a relief to have someone else fit the kiddos with their equipment, especially ski boots.

After outfitting the kids with their equipment, the ski instructors pull all the skis in a toboggan. Then the kids walk to practice area, centrally located next to the ski services building or the school yard green run.

The ski school has a surface lift and the School House lift is very close to the ground, about 10 to 15 feet off the ground depending on the snow base. The ideal situation for little kids advancing to ski lifts.

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Diamond Peak Resort for Kids
Diamond Peak’s Ski School features a surface lifts. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

 

2022-2023 Ski and Snowboard Lesson Package 
Ages 1/2 Weekday | Full Day 1/2 Weekend | Full Day 1/2 Holiday | Full Day
4 to 6 Rentals Included $165 | $315 $175 | $325 $205 | $355
7 to 12 $115 | $265 $120 | $270 $140 | $290
13+ Half Day Only $115 $120 $140

 

Pro Tip: Skiing is only available for 4 to 6-years-old.  Kids under 4 will have to take private lessons. Snowboarding lessons aren not available as a group until 7. Lunch is not included for all the all day programs. Reservations are required and lessons do sell out.

Terrain Parks at Diamond Peak

I’ve got two boys so I’ve learned about terrain parks over the last few seasons. It’s not as crazy as I originally thought.

I will admit, when my daredevil son told me he wanted to check out a terrain park a few years ago, I envisioned something I’d seen on the Olympics. Don’t worry, think of terrain parks as snow playgrounds.

During my visit, my kids started with the terrain features at the bottom of the Logdepole run. Then moved up to the Village Terrain Park. Even my 15-year-old daughter started to ski over the small jumps.

Be sure and check out the terrain park signs to see if your kids are in the right playground. Most resorts install several terrain parks with differing levels of difficulty. Take it easy and start small.

Perks at Diamond Peak Ski Resort

I’ll take any perk.

Kids under 6 ski FREE.

A shout out to Grandma and Grandpa, take the kids skiing for free. Those over 80 get free lift passes too.

Where to Eat at Diamond Peak

Diamond Peak Resort for Kids
Grab a table on Diamond Peak’s sun deck to enjoy the view of Lake Tahoe. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker

Diamond Peak offers a couple of lodges, their Base Lodge Provisions and Snowflake Lodge at top of the Lakeview Quad lift. The The Upper Deck Snack Bar sells grab-and-go items. The Loft Bar offers beer, wine and cocktails.

Wild Bill’s BBQ hits the spot for the older crowd with two locations. Base Lodge or the Snowflake Lodge for more BBQ and an amazing view.

My Trips to Diamond Peak Ski Resort

On my first trip to Tahoe, I pulled on a pair of ski boots for the first time at Diamond Peak Ski Resort. After a couple of days on the snow, I was hooked for life. Flash forward 20 years and now I ski Diamond Peak Resort with kids.

A lot has changed in my life since my first Tahoe weekend. Now I’m toting a carful of kids in ski and snowboard boots. What impressed me the most was all the perks and deals for families at Diamond Peak Ski Resort.

Is it Your First Family Ski Trip?

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More Lake Tahoe Fun for Families

Looking for more places to discover in Lake Tahoe? Got a couple of my favorite spots to share.

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Where’s Diamond Peak Ski Resort

Located in Incline Village at 1210 Ski Way, on the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. Just 35 miles south of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport when driving Mt. Rose Highway (NV Hwy 431).

If flying into Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to visit Lake Tahoe, several airport shuttles drop off in Incline Village at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, located at 111 Country Club Dr.

Diamond Peak Ski Resort runs a Free ski shuttle bus from the Hyatt as well as several other locations throughout Incline Village.

Disclosure:

My family was hosted at Diamond Peak Ski Resort though I have skied this resort through the years.

Know Before You Go:

  • Reservations are recommended during holiday breaks and long weekends. Ski School sells out.
  • Helmets are recommended but not required at Diamond Peak and not included in the ski lesson package. Helmets are $10 additional.
  • Arrive early to ski school to allow for smooth transition.
  • Group snowboarding lessons begin at 7-years-old or at 3 with a private instructor.
  • Before heading out check out road conditions at NVroads.com for tire chain requirements, especially Mt. Rose Highway (NV Hwy 431). I use Nevada’s website for the Lake Tahoe region since it’s easier to use on a mobile device than California’s website.

Ski like a local at Diamond Peak Ski Resort in Incline Village, Nevada, at Lake Tahoe. It's open for the 2020-2021 season with availability during peak periods. Find kids lessons for 3 and older. Located on the North Shore so find amazing views of Lake Tahoe too. Get all the details on how to ski in the 2020-2021 season with lift ticket prices and more. Where to go skiing in Lake Tahoe | Resorts in Lake Tahoe #LakeTahoe #Nevada

 

Catherine Parker has a passion for travel and seen all 50 U.S. States. As a former flight attendant with one of the largest airlines, there isn't a North American airport that she hasn't landed in at least once. Since clipping her professional wings after 9/11, she combines her love of the open road with visiting architectural and cultural icons. She is based out of Central Texas dividing her time between writing and restoring a pair of 100-year-old houses. She shares her life with her three kids and her husband.

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