California

Sushi, cocktails, and tacos: the best spots around the lake to get your grub on.

The best places to stay in South Lake, North Lake, and everywhere in between.

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Opened in 1939 with help from Walt Disney, Sugar Bowl retains its old-school charm with a 1950s-style gondola and a rustic base lodge. But it’s plenty modern too. It offsets 100 percent of its energy through wind credits and has a remodeled 35,700-square-foot lodge and a new skiercross course that’s home to Olympian Daron Rahlves. The best thing about Sugar Bowl, however, may simply be the snow. Each year, the resort gets around 500 inches of Californian fluff.

Kirkwood is off the grid in more ways than one. The whole place runs on generators. Lift lines are six people deep on a powder day. Sierra storms fill the ski-porn-worthy terrain, closing roads and shutting down lifts for days. But with inbounds runs slanted up to 42 degrees, the most reliable snow in the area, and chutes that make big-mountain skiers queasy, it’s hard to believe the resort stays so low-key. Thank the hourlong drive from South Lake Tahoe’s packed casinos and resorts, which ensures Kirkwood remains unsullied by the masses. Just the way skiers there like it.

Need to know where to find singletrack or lift-accessed downhilling? Here's a directory of all the mountain bike parks at ski resorts in the U.S. and Canada.

Bike parks in California.

Tasty libations from Bison Brewing Company in Berkeley, California.

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The man with the mohawk gave us some tips on how to make kick turns. Ski ballet background helpful but not required.

Apparently spring didn't get the memo. It's still stormy and deep across the mountains. Here's where to go for "spring" skiing.

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Snow in Tahoe fell for over a week straight— Squaw Valley broke its all-time snowfall total by reaching over 690 inches. Kirkwood had to dig out some of their lifts. Sierra-at-Tahoe had bottomless powder, everywhere. Then, the sun came out. Here's what the biggest storm in decades looked like.

All skiers should have the chance to feel what it’s like to heli-ski. But if you don’t have the dough or can’t make the trip to a heli-pad this year show up to one of these resorts on a powder day, wait patiently in the dark with the locals, and seize your chance to be one of the first to slice through some of the most sought after lift-accessed terrain in the world.

Shane McConkey knew how to prove who was the best skier on the mountain. Let us not forget.

Tahoe-based skier Josh Bennett taught himself to build bamboo skis and is using sales to stop global warming.

Skiing editor Kevin Luby flew into Mammoth Mountain, California, last Thursday. Since then, 13 feet of snow have fallen on the Sierras and he is stuck there. Somehow, we don't feel bad for him.

Recycled features at Heavenly are changing the face of their terrain parks, while helping the environment.

Vail Resorts acquires Northstar-at-Tahoe from Booth Creek Resorts for $63 million.

Three full days of food, wine tasting, and cooking demonstrations at Northstar at Tahoe.

On Monday, Vail Resorts announced a location-based mobile and web app, called Epic Mix. The company's Interactive Director, Mike Slone, sat down with us to discuss check-ins, pins, and where digital experience collides with a typical ski day.

Here are five Labor Day activities throughout ski country. Enjoy music festivals, beer and wine, and celebrate the last few days of summer.

Looking for one more late summer adventure? Here are our favorite multi-day backpacking trips in ski country.

Try the famous fish tacos.

Lunch to go.

The only hotel in the world with a gondola in the loby

Northstar is home to the only permanent biathlon range on the west coast.

This year-round activity is a rush of adrenaline.

Craft your own candle for the perfect souvenir.

This high-tech treasure hunt will have you exploring the mountain.

Lift-accessed tubing allows for a fun family tradition.

This ice skating rink is right in the middle of the village.

Enjoy hot yoga in a welcoming environment.

A local's favorite.

Enjoy the shores of Lake Tahoe from a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere.

Located at the bottom of the hill, this is a convenient stop for relaxation.

Winter mini-golf? It's possible at Frosty's.

Take a day or night tour to explore the mountain.

500 years of skiing history is on display.

Ice skating is a classic family pastime.

From quick 50-minute jaunts to multiple-day overnight excursions, Mammoth Dog Teams has a little something for everyone.

Rope-tow access to sledding means you don't have to hike back up.

The science of skin and body is combined with a personal experience.

A full-body and holistic approach to wellness.

Experience a mountain-chic spa experience.

Enjoy a day at Mammoth’s original spa.

Learn about the 1960 Winter Olympics, the first televised games, which took place at Squaw Valley.

Accessed via Squaw Valley’s Cable Car, enjoy panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and surrounding areas while skating on an Olympic-sized rink.

Experience an hour-long, daytime or sunset dog sledding tour in the Squaw Valley Meadow.

Located at the mountain’s base, the kid’s zip-line is about 200-feet long.

Bring your dog along on your next ski vacation, and he'll receive special treatment at this Squaw Valley hotel.

Located in one of Squaw Valley's earliest homes, they have Swiss cheese fondue during happy hour.

Check out this on-mountain restaurant for unique apres-ski options.

A cozy, family-owned fine dining restaurant.

This fine dining restaurant on the 19th floor of Harvey's offers exquisite American cuisine and spectacular lake views.

Stop in for lunch, and be surprised at the better-than-cafeteria food.

This green spa will help you relax and unwind.

Ski-in to enjoy a relaxing massage after a long day on the hill.

A singular presence in the Eastern Sierra.

Asian fusion at its best.

Hyper-local, California cuisine.

Stylized sushi in a high-energy location alongside the Village ice rink.

Like staying in Oceans Eleven.

So alluring it appeared in TV’s The Bachelor.

Lodging that pairs kid-friendliness with grown-up panache.

The best cookies in Squaw Valley

Relax in a hot tub before dining.

Nothing says apres-ski like fondue.

Try a delicious chocolate-inspired cocktail along with dinner or dessert.

Hike or drive to the ghost town of Bodie, an hour north of Mammoth where it was once the second largest city in California and a thriving gold and silver mining town.

This Northstar-at-Tahoe restaurant is mountain-chic.

Test your paintball skills during a western-themed weekend with live music, a petting zoo, and more.

Now in it’s third year, the Paddlefest in Fawnskin, California, July 10-11, adds stand up paddling and Luau.

When you think 4th of July, you probably think: fireworks, cookouts, and beach-side festivities. When the people at Mammoth think of 4th of July they think: skiing, golfing, and mountain biking.

The season's not over quite yet. Here's where you can get your late, late season ski fix.

The best food you'll ever find inside a gas station.

A BBQ place in downtown Mammoth.

Enjoy Mexican food on a sunny patio.

The best breakfast spot in town.

Mammoth's rowdiest spot for happy hour also serves good steak and potatoes.