Boreal Skiing & Snowboarding Resort Guide
Located high up on the summit of Donner Pass, Boreal ski and snowboard area is the closest resort to both Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. While Boreal is on the smaller side of Lake Tahoe’s ski and snowboard areas it is easily accessible, family friendly, offers night skiing, and has great terrain parks.
Boreal has six chairlifts, to access the mountain’s 380 skiable acres. Two of these lifts serve the beginner learning area. Night skiing at Boreal is open on all lifts, an awesome perk. Beginners will want to head to the Nugget and Castle Peak Quad chairlifts, and the surrounding learning area. This is a great spot for skiers and snowboarders making their first turns.
Intermediate skiers and snowboarders will want to head to the Flying Dutchman lift far on the skier’s left side of the mountain for great cruising. Boreal’s advanced terrain is spread out between the 49er, Accelerator, and Cedar Ridge chairlifts. While these runs are fun, they are not the steepest or most extreme terrain in Lake Tahoe.
Boreal’s awesome terrain parks are also spread across the mountain. Skiers and snowboarders can train their tricks at Woodward at Tahoe, an action sports training facility located at the base of Boreal, before taking them to snow, too. Park riders of all abilities will find awesome setups ranging from rails and jumps to halfpipes and bowls.
Boreal is located in the Donner Summit region of Lake Tahoe. The ski and snowboard resort is a 90 minute drive from Sacramento, two and a half hours from San Francisco, and 45 minutes from Reno. Road conditions can be hazardous, and chain requirements are common, check the road conditions carefully before departing.
Travel Resources:
Travel Directions to Boreal
Road Conditions
Boreal is located in the Donner Summit region of Lake Tahoe. The ski and snowboard resort is a 90 minute drive from Sacramento, two and a half hours from San Francisco, and 45 minutes from Reno. Road conditions can be hazardous, and chain requirements are common, check the road conditions carefully before departing.
Travel Directions to Boreal
Road Conditions
Boreal is not a destination ski and snowboard resort, there is no lodging available at the area itself. Truckee is the closest North Lake Tahoe town with available lodging.
Truckee Lodging Overview
Our Favorite Snowboards for Boreal
Local Food Picks
Boreal has a full range of restaurants at the mountain to keep skiers and snowboarders going all day (and night) long. Options range from cafes, to the Boreal BBQ, and Waffle Cabin which serves up delicious fresh belgian waffles.Boreal Dining Overview
Our Favorite Skis For Boreal
Where to Find Lift Tickets to Boreal?
Boreal lift tickets are moderately priced when compared to the rest of Lake Tahoe. Skiers and snowboarders can save some money by purchasing lift tickets online in advance. Children, teens, and seniors are eligible for discount Boreal lift tickets, too.Skiing at night (after 3pm) tickets are close to half priced, so this can be a great way to explore more around Lake Tahoe on a longer ski and snowboard vacation.Boreal Weather Information
Boreal sees a stout 400” of average annual snowfall. Along with the plentiful California sunshine, this means that Boreal is an awesome place to ski and snowboard all year long. Night skiing at Boreal is open until 9PM, letting skiers and snowboarders make the most of their time on the slopes.Boreal Ski Report
Whether cruising on the intermediate runs, or taking laps through the terrain parks, Boreal has a lot to offer for its small size. Many skiers and snowboarders pass right by Boreal on their way to Lake Tahoe’s other ski and snowboard areas. However, the night skiing, great terrain parks and relatively low crowds make Boreal a great Donner Summit resort.
