Destinations – Mount Rose, A Tahoe Gem Without The Crowds

February 17th, 2020
Matt Reardon, a fun line in Mt Rose as Lake Tahoe shimmers to the west.

Mountainwatch | Words and Photos Tony Harrington

I’ve been a regular visitor to Lake Tahoe for many years, mainly shooting at the big-name resorts of Squaw Valley, Alpine, Kirkwood and the occasional visit to Incline or three hours south to Mammoth. I knew there were other resorts around Lake Tahoe, but I had no idea there that many – 14 to be exact!

You’ll occasionally hear mention of Mt Rose, usually in passing from Tahoe locals seeking to dodge the weekend crowds or to head somewhere for a chilled-out day on the slopes with the family. It is perfect for families with young kids looking for competitive pass prices and a low-stress option.

Which is exactly how I came to click in and head for a slide with my good buddy, long time professional skier and incredibly talented singer/song writer/producer Matt Reardon the other afternoon.

 

Mt Rose has a good selection long, smooth groomers, open off piste bowls and steep chutes. Matt Reardon, cruising high above the Carson Valley.

Mt Rose is tucked in on the north east corner of Tahoe in Nevada, just a short 35-minute drive from Reno and a 20-minute drive from the north shore of Lake Tahoe. Mt Rose has a base elevation of 8260ft (2517.68m) and is the highest resort in Tahoe, the altitude maintaining good snow quality through the season . From the top there are cheeky views of sparkling blue Lake Tahoe to the west and the stark, arid contrast of the Nevada desert and Reno to the east. There are plenty of views to go around, with 270 degrees of aspect and 60+ trails to explore.

 

With a base elevation of 8260ft (2517.68m)Mt Rose is the highest resort in Tahoe and holds quality dry snow for days after a storm. Matt Reardon, fun in the sun last week.

 

Matt, dropping in to the “Chutes”, with the  city of Reno in the background, an easy 35-minute drive to the northeast .

Part of the appeal here is Mt Rose really has loads of runs and options for all abilities, however there are two standout opportunities for experienced skiers and boarders. The “Chutes” offer steep, off-piste powder that can sit largely ignored and untracked for days at a time after a snowfall, especially mid-week. However, in  a good snow year like last winter, the real gem is a dizzy off-piste run of 4000 vertical feet (1219.2m) from Mt Rose’s peak at 9700ft (2956.5m) all the way down to the valley floor.

So, if you’re heading Tahoe way you should consider adding a day in Mt Rose onto your itinerary.  You won’t regret it.

https://skirose.com