Some of the best views of Lake Tahoe are on the North Shore with its pristine blue water of a lake that never freezes. Ringed by evergreen forests covered in glistening snow, Lake Tahoe is a winter paradise. For travelers who enjoy the outdoors, Lake Tahoe Basin offers about a dozen ski resorts. Many of the Tahoe locals love Diamond Peak Ski Resort, especially with kids. After skiing Diamond Peak for over 20 years, I still enjoy this resort, located in Incline Village.
Diamond Peak Ski Resort at Lake Tahoe
Incline Village’s Diamond Peak Ski Resort is my go-to resort when it’s snowing in Tahoe. Most of the other resorts are at higher elevations. The drive up there can be treacherous or the passes can be closed.
With its convenient location in Incline, it’s an easy drive. For those staying locally, it even offers a ski shuttle. As a lesser-known resort, it doesn’t suffer from the crowded lift lines found elsewhere.
Why Incline Village
Travelers will also find outdoor activities like ice skating, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing around Incline Village. Along with outdoor activities, visitors will find restaurants and theaters along with a top-ranked spa and a casino in Inlcine Village. It’s been a top winter destination for decades for those who love powder skiing and winter sports.
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What I love about Diamond Peak Ski Resort
- Convenient for families staying in Incline Village. No traffic.
- The 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. It’s not a big deal for my older kids, but for younger kids, it can be an issue.
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. |
2024 – 2025 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 | $140 | $170 | $180 |
| Students–13 to 23, Senior–65 to 79 | $120 | $150 | $165 |
| Junior–7 to 12 | $60 | $80 | $90 |
| Children under 6, 80+ | Always Free | Free | Free |
Note: Multi-Day Lift Tickets are available.
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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. After checking in at its 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 the practice area, centrally located next to the ski services building or the Schoolyard 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.
Free Sledding Area at Spooner Summit
2024-2025 Ski and Snowboard Lesson Package
| Ages | 1/2 Weekday | AM or PM | 1/2 Weekend | AM or PM | 1/2 Holiday | AM or PM |
| 4 to 6 Rentals Included | $175 | $200 | | $245 | $365 |
| 7 to 12 Half Day Only | $120 | $130 | $175 |
| 13+ Half Day Only | $120 | $130 | $175 |
Pro Tip: Skiing is only available for 4 to 6-year-olds. Kids under 4 will have to take private lessons. Group snowboarding lessons are not available until 7 years old. 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 at 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 Lodgepole 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.
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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.
Diamond Peak offers Interchangeable Parents Lift Tickets so parents can share the pass while one is watching the kiddo.
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Where to Eat at Diamond Peak
Diamond Peak offers a couple of lodges, their Base Lodge Provisions and Snowflake Lodge at the top of the Lakeview Quad lift. The Lighting Grab and Go is on the base lodge deck. 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.
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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.
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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 are not included in the ski lesson package. Helmets are $10 additional.
- Arrive early to ski school to allow for a 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.
Disclosure:
My family was hosted at Diamond Peak Ski Resort though I have skied this resort through the years.
