The Sacramento region had its first major rainstorm of 2021 in October, which brought huge amounts of snow to the Sierra. So much in fact, several Tahoe ski resorts opened weeks earlier than planned which could be a sign of an incredible ski season to come! Whether you’re heading to Lake Tahoe‘s spectacular slopes or to the Rocky Mountains and beyond,
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) can get you to the snow quickly. SMF offers direct flights and easy connections to many major ski destinations.
Locally, Lake Tahoe is home to 15 ski resorts, 477 miles of slopes, 146 lifts and views you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Ski racing began in North Lake Tahoe in the 1860s, when gold miners decided to attach boards to their feet and skim down the slopes, and the first resort was built in 1924. Today, there’s a resort for every kind of snow junkie – skiers, snowboarders, beginners and experts. SMF is approximately 100 miles from Tahoe and offers numerous nonstop flights from major U.S. hubs. Making both the north and south shores easily accessible.
For Northern Californians who are venturing outside of the state, flights from SMF can get you to some of the country’s best ski resorts in no time.
The Rocky Mountains stretch from British Columbia south to New Mexico, with dramatic mountain vistas, breathtaking ski terrain and as much as 33-feet of snow per year. SMF has nonstop flights to Denver (DEN) on United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines, allowing you easy access to some of the Rockies’ best ski resorts. Echo Mountain and Loveland Ski Area are about an hour away from DEN, while Breckenridge and Copper Mountain are about a 90-minute drive.
Aspen is a spectacular year-round destination, but it is best known for its winter sports. Not into downhill, but still want to play in the snow? Aspen’s four mountains offer cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter hiking trails. Off the slopes, Aspen has a vibrant dining with diverse culinary options both off and on the mountain. A bit further south, the old west vibe of downtown Telluride compliments the glamour of Aspen. The rustic town has been called the #1 Ski Resort in North America. Tucked into a canyon surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks, Telluride was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1964, preserving the feel of Colorado’s 1870s silver rush-era. The town is also home to a vibrant arts district, with galleries, performance spaces and architecture.
Salt Lake City (SLC) is also a short hop from SMF on both Delta Airlines and Southwest Airlines. Mother Nature delivers an average of 500 inches of snow to Utah’s mountains every year and many of the best resorts are within an hour’s drive from SLC. Park City, home of the Sundance Film Festival in January, has fabulous shopping and dining options as well as snow biking, snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating and sleigh rides nearby.
Western Canada’s renowned Whistler Blackcomb Resort can be accessed via several nonstop flights to Seattle (SEA) on Alaska Airlines, Southwest and Delta. Once you land, drive into beautiful British Columbia to one of the largest ski resorts in North America with a lift that can take you to an elevation of 7,350 feet.
