Off-piste wilderness skiing, flawlessly groomed cruiser runs and wide open bowls of powder make Alpine Meadows a bastion of Sierra Nevada skiing and snowboarding. This resort’s high valley floor (6,835 feet) guarantees abundant snowfall. Even better than the snow is the terrain that covers 2,400 acres of glades, groomers and the resort’s famous steeps. Its multitude of fall-lines offers views of cobalt-colored Lake Tahoe from nearly every run. Best of all are Alpine’s “Adventure Zones,” which provide a backcountry-style experience within the ski-patrolled boundary. The Chalet—Alpine’s mountainside restaurant—is located in a nest of pine trees midway up the mountain. It’s a great place to rendezvous and sit on the deck enjoying sandwiches, quiche and homemade soups. For a decadent evening, reserve an Alpine Chalet Experience dinner party, four courses of gourmet cuisine, each dish paired with delicious wine; parties of up to 24 guests arrive at the Chalet via snow cat.

The favorite après-ski hot spot at Alpine Meadows is the Last Chair Bar & Grill. Located in the lodge just steps from your real last chair, it features favorite drafts and microbrews, select wines and delicious appetizers like artisan cheese plates, sausage and sauerkraut platters, and gourmet flatbread pizzas. Live music in the Last Chair is a tried-and-true transition from ski boots to dancing shoes.  

Down the road, the bar in the historic River Ranch Lodge is a local gathering place with front row views of the Truckee River. A day of exploring Alpine’s legendary terrain is religiously followed by gathering at River Ranch.

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