Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe and the Enchanted Forest

Since the carful of kids love the snow and we don't get much in Texas; we have to drive to it. This winter is shaping up to be a spectacular ski season out West. If you haven't loaded up the SUV and headed for the snow. Do it now.

The carful of kids will try any resort once but there are just a couple that become our family favorites. The ones that we return to year after year because we like the skiing, the facilities, the staff and the overall atmosphere. Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe is one of those.

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe

Mt. Rose (22222 Mt. Rose Highway) is usually the first ski resort to open every year thanks to its 8,260 base elevation, the highest base in Lake Tahoe. The summit is 9,700 feet with a vertical drop of 1,800 feet. Mt. Rose opened in 1964 and has 1,200 acres with two separate lodges and eight lifts.

As Good as it Gets--under a big, blue sky brighter than Lake Tahoe.

The Main Lodge, where the ski lessons, rentals and all the family-friendly green runs are located, is their original lodge. It has a large deck out back facing most of the runs with a cafeteria, coffee shop, bar and retail shop inside.

The Winters Creek Lodge is the newer facility that is a couple of miles down Hwy. 431. For those looking for double-black diamond runs and the Slide Bowl, this is the lodge for you. The Chutes, an expert only area is accessible through the Blazing Zephyr-6  and the Chuter lifts that originate here.

The carful of kids love the proximity of Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe since it's minutes from the condo where we stay. From Downtown Reno, Mt. Rose is 25 miles. From the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, it's 22 miles. It's even quicker to get to Incline Village in north Lake Tahoe at 11 miles.

What's New at Mt. Rose 

My 13-year-old is loving the runs in the Enchanted Forest like the Warlock.

My only complain about the Lake Tahoe skiing is the limited amount of green runs for families. So many resorts forget about the family skiers and the carful of kids we bring to ski. I get it, we aren't glamorous with our endless needs. We are slow and clog up the lift lines; sometimes our kids are whiny.

There is one resort in Lake Tahoe that is catering to the family-skier in a big way--Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe. The carful of kids have skied here for years but this year we are blown away with what they have created.

The Carful of Kids on the Wizard lift on their way to the Enchanted Forest.

Mt. Rose moved their old Ponderosa Lift and renamed it the Wizard lift. They took a single run named the Enchanted Forest and expanded it into a whole new area especially for families.

The Enchanted Forest is a great area that offers green runs in a separate area that's not tacked on to the bottom of a blue or black run. The Wizard is not a pass-thorough lift taking you to the top of the mountain either. It's the gateway to magical Enchanted Forest that's perfect for kids and the parents that ski with them.

You have the option of skiing down runs like Magic Potion, Dragon's Tail or Spellbound. Even on the busiest of school holidays you feel alone in the world discovering an enchanted land that might be harboring a woodland sprite or dare we say, Harry?

Skiing with my 8-year-old in the Enchanted Forest keeps this Mom on her toes.

I love it. The carful of kids are crazy excited and don't leave the Enchanted Forest all day. Then they head there the next day. They would still be there if it wasn't for the ringing of the school bell.

Mt. Rose--Getting Kids on the Snow

Your kids not ready for independent skiing or snowboarding? Mt. Rose specializes in getting kids on the snow with their lesson packages.

This is a happy kid after a two-hour lesson at Mt. Rose.

The Mt. Rose Rosebuds are for skiers 4 to 10 and snowboarders 7 to 10 that includes a two-hour lesson, rental equipment plus a helmet and a beginner lift ticket. With the online discount, it's $94.

If your kids are a little older (11+), Mt. Rose has the first-timer package with a two-hour lesson, rental equipment with a helmet and a beginner lift ticket for $114 with the online discount. There is a next step package for skiers that have skied before that includes a lesson, rental equipment and a beginner lift ticket for $119 with the online discount.

Mt. Rose does a great job at keeping the littlest kids separated during lessons. 

For the littlest skiers, there is the Little Mule Magic Carpet Lift in the fenced off area just for ski school. For the older skiers and snow boarders, there is the Flying Jenny and the Snow Off area that is open to all.

I have had kids in the Rosebud program for years. The Flying Jenny (the Magic Carpet Lift) gets a Christmas card from me, I spend so much time on her with my kids.

What I like about Mt. Rose's Rosebud program:

• low kid-to-instructor ratio
• the indoor area to drop off your kids
• the instructors fit the kids with equipment for you

What's next for Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe

According the Mt. Rose Marketing Director, Mike Pierce, they aren't done expanding. They have plans for a new lift and a skier bridge over the Mt. Rose Highway (Nevada Highway 431) to be completed in the next three years.

This new area would expand the green skiing at Mt. Rose even more. I don't know about your kids but my kids would put on head-to-toe white snow gear just to blend in so they would never have to leave.

Besides the new lift and runs, Mt. Rose also plans to renovate the Main Lodge and expand the Rosebud children's center. I hope they include a fire pit since they are one of the few ski resorts not to have one.

Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe has been a favorite resort of the carful of kids for years for its value and I recommend it for your carful of kids for your next ski trip.

Know before you go:

• Arrive early for the best parking and fewer lines during school holidays and breaks.

• You can purchase tickets on consolidators, like Liftopia.com, for further discounts.

• Reservations are a must for ski school programs during the school breaks.

• You can get a discount by booking your lift tickets online through the ski resort’s website.

• I like to rent my equipment from ski shops and skip the line on the mountain. Most shops let you rent equipment the evening before and you can return it early in the morning after your trip.

• Don't forget the helmets, they are required for kids at lots of resorts.

• Mt. Rose does not offer daycare services or all-day ski lessons for kids.

You might be interested in:

What to Pack for a Family Ski Trip

How to Pick a Family-Friendly Ski Resort

Free Sledding in Lake Tahoe

Granlibakken-Tahoe--A Grand Resort for Family Skiers

Have you heard, it's dumping snow in Lake Tahoe right now. All the resorts are open and this season will be one to be remembered. If spending time with your family is on your list for the New Year, I urge you to check out Lake Tahoe for your next weekend away.

The carful of kids are loaded in the SUV and ready to go. It's been two years since we hit the slopes; I think we might need a little practice. I need to find a place that can get us back up and skiing where we left off.

My oldest is 13 and shouldn't have a problem. For the 8-year-old, two years is a long time and he might need a lesson. My 11-year-old board boy falls in between. With that in mind, I've got a great, first day planned to get the carful of kids back in form. 

Granlibakken-Tahoe, more than a Ski Hill

The carful of kids want to check out Granlibakken-Tahoe, half a mile from Tahoe City (725 Granlibakken Road, Tahoe City). This resort is great for families with novice skiers or skiers that have taken a break for a few years.  

Granlibakken-Tahoe has offered skiing and sledding in Lake Tahoe since 1928, when a local hotel stayed open year-round. Borrowing its name from Norwegian, it means a hill sheltered by trees.

I can watch my kids on the ski hill and the sledding hill at the same time. 

Granlibakken-Tahoe offers lodging ranging from lodge rooms to three-bedroom town homes. Nestled on 74-acres surrounded by fir trees, it's not uncommon to see wildlife walking through their property.

Though conveniently located near Tahoe City, one of the largest towns on Lake Tahoe, Granlibakken-Tahoe seems secluded from the hum of tourists. Some guests even walk to Tahoe City for its restaurants and shopping. 

Besides downhill skiing and snowboarding, they have snowshoe and cross-country ski trails as well. The rental shop at Granlibakken has equipment for downhill and cross country skiing, snow boarding and snow shoeing, along with helmets.

We love the scenery of Granlibakken and snapped a family picture.

In addition to the snow sports, they feature a year-round heated, outdoor pool and hot tub. Partnering with North Tahoe Adventures, Granlibakken has an aerial adventure park that's open year-round. With several different courses, it's open to kids ages 5 and older.

What this Mom likes about Granlibakken-Tahoe

Granlibakken-Tahoe is one of the smallest, lowest and inexpensive ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe area. This makes it an excellent option for families with several children. 

I need a small resort.

Let's face it, each kid has their own needs. Since I'm taking the kids skiing by myself, I can't lose a kid at a mega-huge resort. 

The 13-year-old is annoyed by her family and wants some freedom. The 11-year-old board boy doesn't know his limits. We need gentle terrain so we don't end up in the ER later. The 8-year-old is timid and would play on his iPad all day, if I let him. 

What's a Mom to do? Surrender and stay home? 

Nope. You can keep them all happy at Granlibakken and still have time for Mom to ski. 

The youngest enjoys playing in the snow, while the older two sled just a few feet away.

Since their resort is one of the smallest, I could watch all my kids at the same time. Even when they were doing different things. It took me no time to round them up for a break and they couldn't tell me they didn't see me. 

I need a low resort.

With Granlibakken's elevation at 6,350 feet, it's a great resort for people who have problems at higher elevations, especially kids. It's important to let your body adjust for the first few days to prevent headaches and nausea. 

The carful of kids have skied at other resorts, in other states. They have been too high for my 11-year-old, who gets sick over 9,000 feet. 

I need an inexpensive resort.

The best feature of Granlibakken-Tahoe is its affordability. 

For a lift ticket and rental equipment for an adult, it's $70 a day during the kids' school break. For kids 12 and under, it's $55 a day during their school break. If you want to take the kids skiing for a half-day, they have lift tickets for $16 for adults and $10 for the kids under 12. What a bargain.

For $70 per person, 7 and older, you can sign up for a beginner group lesson including rentals and a lift ticket. If your kids are under 7-years-old, you have to sign them up for a private lesson. 

Our Day Skiing at Granlibakken-Tahoe

The carful of kids are in school so we have to ski over school breaks. You know what that means--crowds. Not at Granlibakken, I don't see any crazy lines and it doesn't feel crowded. 

After a late start, we pull into the resort at 10 a.m. This could have been a disaster at another resort. I am able to park close to the entrance and there is one family in front of us in the rental line. 

My 11-year-old loves his Burton snowboard.

In the rental shop, the guys size up the kids and get them in great gear, fast. When I slip on my ski boots, I'm amazed--virtually brand new and very comfy. 

The carful of kids walk out on the deck behind the rental shop and find an empty table. I put down our stuff and spray the kids' faces with sunscreen. 

I'm not finished getting the youngest suited up when the 13-year-old is gone. I look around and spot her in the lift line. With her bright scarf, I can spot her anywhere in the ski or sled area.

The next to bail is my boy and his board. I check out the terrain, it's relativity tame. He wanders over to the lift line behind his sister.

Now the 8-year-old is suited up and we ski about 20 feet and he goes down. And then he's out. I can't get him to continue. 

He gets the gear on, then decides that's enough for the day.

I think, this is it, we will have to leave. Then he agrees to play in the snow making a snowman just feet from the rest of the carful of kids on the beginner lift.

Day saved. I would not have been comfortable doing this at any other resort. 

The Lifts at Granlibakken 

Granlibakken has a rope tow instead of a magic carpet for their beginner hill. This is the first time that the carful of kids have used one.

My 13-year-old getting up the rope tow.

Once the norm at ski resorts across the country, they are disappearing due to the popularity of the Magic Carpet lift. The rope tow requires a little more coordination for younger skiers that must ski up the hill while being pulled by the tow.

The 11 and 13-year-olds do not have a problem. They follow the directions of the lift operator and up they go. I didn't have a problem either. 

If your children are under 6-years-old, this might be a problem. Some Moms put their smaller kids between their legs and scoot them up the hill while Mom holds the rope tow handle.

After multiple runs down the beginner hill, the carful of kids are feeling good. It's all coming back. Time we move up the mountain to the longer run.

Granlibakken utilizes a platter lift for the steeper side of their ski hill. It requires you to pull a pole that has a round disc down and place it between your legs. Then you are pulled up the hill by the disc about the size of a dinner plate.

My 11-year-old son has no problem with the platter lift.

The lift operator patiently explains this to my board boy and myself. The first time is a bit tricky but my son has no problems. For a Mom who has birthed three kids, I'm really working those thigh muscles. If I didn't squeeze tight, I might slide right down the hill, backwards.

I didn't. 

Granlibakken's Ski Hut

The carful of kids are ready for a break and Granlibakken has that covered. We head inside of their heated Ski Hut Snack Bar.

The interior of Granlibakken's Snack Hut is Old Tahoe, so charming and warm.

I love it. It's a log cabin that takes me back to vintage Tahoe. The vintage Tahoe that you see in the posters on the walls of most resorts. 

Inside, we find a wood stove with a rack to warm your gloves. There are tables around the stove with plenty of seating. 

You will find kid-friendly items on the menu. We grab a snack and head back outside to our table. It's a glorious day that makes Tahoe so special. The sun is shining and the air is remarkable warm. Hard to believe it's not above freezing.

The Sledding Hill at Granlibakken

After our snack, the carful of kids are ready to move on to the sledding hill. Since it is right next to the ski hill, I am able to watch the kids and work on my skiing some more. 

The Carful of Kids love the Sledding Hill.

For $15 per person, you get a saucer and access to the sled hill. There isn't a magic carpet on the sled hill but you don't need one. It's a manageable climb for kids.

The carful of kids love it. It's fast. The staff at Granlibakken makes sure that this area remains safe. The previous sledders walk off before the next sledders slide down. 

The carful of kids go down it again and again. Sometimes they link together and sometimes they race each other.

Ski, Sled and S'more

As soon as the sun sinks behind the mountain, it's time to find someplace warm. Granlibakken-Tahoe has a great fire pit with log benches surrounding it.

In the Ski Hut, you can purchase a bag with a chocolate bar, four graham crackers and six marshmallows for $5. At the fire pit, the resort has skewers to roast them up. This is a must-do for the kids. 

Does it get any better than S'mores?

After a long day of skiing and sledding, nothing beats a S'more. A little treat can really make the difference and hold my kids over until dinner.

Know before you go:

• Granlibakken is open Friday through Monday most weeks. Open Daily over Christmas Break, January 15-18, 2016, and February 12-22, 2016.
• The skiing at Granlibakken is great for novice skiers and snow boarders.
• Granlibakken is also great for families that have some children that ski and some that want to sled. You can watch both hills at the same time. I was comfortable letting my kids go back and forth.
• Granlibakken is a good resort to start your ski vacation if it has been a few years since your last ski trip. 
• Granlibakken does not teach kids under 4 and there isn't a separate ski school area.

Disclosure:

All or part of this trip was provided for free for review purposes. The opinion is solely that of the writer.

Lake Tahoe--A Winter Wonderland for Family Skiers

Skiing with your kids should be on your family bucket list.

Every time I look at a screen I see the same message--epic snow in the West. Thanks to El Nino, the skiing has never been better and the snow is still falling. The carful of kids have no choice but to load up the SUV and head for the hills.

If the snow is deep, there's only one place that the carful of kids want to go--Lake Tahoe. I love Lake Tahoe as a family ski destination and the snow is just part of it. 

Why I love Lake Tahoe

With fifteen different ski resorts close by, there is something for every skier. With trails and terrain that are the best in the West, Lake Tahoe has been a winter destination for over 100 years and the host of a Winter Olympic Games. 

Mt Rose Ski Resort is one of the fifteen resorts in the Lake Tahoe area, offering skiing for every level of skier.

Looking for an intimate ski hill that never feels crowded, Tahoe has it. A high-end, ski-in, ski-out resort your idea of fabulous ski trip, Tahoe has that too. Looking to expand your tricks in a terrain park, Tahoe has you covered. 

I love to ski while looking at beautiful scenery. You can't beat the lake for scenery and because of its depth--it never freezes. The kids just want to play in the deep, pristine snow that they never see in Texas.

Winter Activities

The scenery is for Mom, but what about the kids. There is a crazy amount of tubing. Most ski resorts have embraced it and added tubing or sledding areas to their resorts.

Granlibakken-Tahoe is one of the resorts that offers sledding along with skiing.

Is ice skating your winter sport of choice--Northstar, Heavenly and Squaw Valley ski resorts have outdoor rinks with rentals. You can skate for the day without skiing then take a break by their fire pits and roast some marshmallows.

There are snowmobile tours and horse-drawn sleigh rides if you want to enjoy some backcountry scenery.

Ice skating at Northstar Ski Resort is a great way to spend the day when not on the slopes. 

Are you an avid hiker, then strap on some snowshoes to explore the national forests that surround the Lake Tahoe basin. There are numerous cross-country ski trails as well.

If apres-ski is more your thing, you will love trying your luck at the gaming tables on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. You can find casinos in Incline Village, Stateline and Crystal Bay.

Getting to Lake Tahoe

The largest airport near Lake Tahoe is Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO). It is serviced by most carriers and is about 40 miles from Lake Tahoe depending on your destination. There is a small regional airport in South Lake Tahoe as well.

In every direction is a picture waiting to be captured.

There are shuttles to and from the resorts and the Tahoe Area Regional Transit (TART) bus that rings the lake. If you are staying more than a few days and skiing at more than one resort, I recommend renting an AWD SUV to get around.

Lake Tahoe is conveniently located between Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 50 for the West Coast residents driving in for a weekend trip. Check out local road conditions before heading out with the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Lodging in Lake Tahoe

There is something for every budget from camping to five-star. There are thousands of condos that rim the lake as well. 

At Sugar Pine Point State Park there is year-round camping available with a heated bathroom. Lake Tahoe is home to a couple of hostels as well. 

At the other end is the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe near Northstar Resort featuring ski-in, ski-out. The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe in Incline Village is on the lake and has a casino.

History of Lake Tahoe

The area around Lake Tahoe was inhabited by the Washoe Tribe, where Lake Tahoe got its name. During the 1840s, the area was discovered by a snow-shoeing mail carrier.

The railroad arrived and the area grew as a summer getaway for wealthy West Coast families, who built mansions at Emerald Bay and along the shore. The winter activities arrived after the nearby town of Truckee introduced them at the turn of the century.

Several senators unsuccessfully tried to get the area declared a national park in the 1910s. Though a large portion of the area is protected as a national forest today.

If you are looking for a winter wonderland for your family for your next ski trip, I urge you to check out Lake Tahoe. It has been a family favorite of mine for years.

Up Next: A great resort for families that never feels crowded.